Reading circle - December choice

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"Les Miserables" by Victor Hugo

It is 1815 and Louis the XVlll is now restored to the throne. The protagonist Jean Valjean has just been paroled from prison after serving nineteen years for stealing a loaf of bread.

With the little money he has been paid for the work he has done in prison, Valjean tries to find shelter and food. After a number of refusals, he at last finds both in the home of a bishop, Monseigneur Bienvenu Myriel.

After relieving the household of its silver, Valjean leaves early the next day. He is spotted and brought back by two gendarmes. The bishop not only confirms what Valjean has told them, that the silver was a gift, but also adds 'but this time, you must not forget the candlesticks.'

Valjean leaves, the bishop makes him promise 'to use the gifts, to make himself an honest man.' On his travels, Valjean breaks his parole, and commits one more petty crime. Afterwards, he feels deeply ashamed, and from then on becomes an honest man. He uses the bishop's gifts to open a factory which flourishes.

“Les Miserable” covers the years 1815 – 1832 and during this time Valjean the convict, has become a successful business man and mayor, benefactor and guardian. But watching, waiting and searching for him for all these years, is Javert – ex-prison Warder who now is Inspector 1st Class.

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