New Releases by Victor Hugo

Flames light the horizon; the year is 1793. In Ninety-Three, Victor Hugo’s last novel, the French Revolution’s most tumultuous year becomes an arena where human ideals clash with human imperfections. Published in 1874, when Hugo was in his seventies, this work stands as a grand and grave epilogue to his career – a novel of war and conscience that distills a lifetime of thought about revolution, heroism, and the price of fanatical righteousness. As Victor Hugo’s valedictory novel, Ninety-Three holds a special place. It is at once a thrilling yarn of escape, siege, and battle, and a meditation on the revolution that forged modern France. In it, the grand homme of letters funneled his decades of insight into a story that is leaner but no less potent than his earlier works. To read Ninety-Three is to witness a literary giant grappling with the eternal question of how to reconcile liberty, equality, and fraternity when the cannon smoke rolls in. In the end, Hugo leaves us not with an easy answer but with an image – a young idealist sacrificing himself on the altar of principle, and an old zealot realizing too late that principle without pity can destroy even what it seeks to save. This powerful conclusion ensures that Ninety-Three, Hugo’s final gift to literature, remains both a stirring historical epic and a poignant warning that echoes across the ages. Upon its publication, Quatrevingt-treize (as the title reads in French) was met with great interest and respect. Hugo had only recently returned to France after long years in exile; the Franco-Prussian War and the Paris Commune (both in the early 1870s) had convulsed the nation, and readers understood that Hugo was now looking further back in history to shed light on those contemporary scars. He chose 1793 – the year of the guillotine’s frenzy, of the Vendée uprising, of the Republic fighting for its life – as a mirror to examine the cycle of violence and idealism that France seemed destined to repeat. Critics noted Hugo’s even-handed approach: unlike earlier writers who vilified one side or the other, Hugo strove to portray both royalists and republicans with empathy and tragic nuance. Some observers in 1874 were surprised that the ardent republican Hugo could humanize a monarchist insurgent, but he did exactly that. The novel’s nuanced perspective earned it acclaim as a mature work of insight. Though Ninety-Three did not achieve the blockbuster popularity of Les Misérables, it was praised for its intense drama and its poetic gravitas, and it quickly found a place in the canon of French literature as the closing chapter of Hugo’s epic vision of humanity. This critical reader''s edition presents a modern translation of the original manuscript, crafted to help the armchair philosopher engage deeply with Hugo''s works through clean, contemporary language and streamlined syntax that clarifies his expansive ideas. Additonal material enriches the text with autobiographical, historical, and linguistic context, including an afterword by the translator on Hugo’s history, impact, and intellectual legacy, an index of the themes and philosophical concepts he employs—emphasizing Romanticism, social justice, and moral idealism—a comprehensive chronological list of his published writings, and a detailed timeline of his life, highlighting the personal relationships (including his relationship with Dickens) and political commitments that shaped his vision.

A vast historical drama unfolds in Cromwell, where the fate of 17th-century England is staged with Shakespearean richness. In this sweeping five-act play, Victor Hugo paints the rise and inner torment of Oliver Cromwell – regicide, ruler, and restless giant of history – in lines of verse that leap from lofty to earthy, from palace intrigue to haunted midnight soliloquy. In 1827, Hugo boldly published Cromwell as a closet drama of unprecedented scope, a play so epic in length (nearly 7,000 lines) that no theater could realistically perform it in full at the time. The play’s preface, however, achieved its own immortality: a fiery manifesto that shattered the old rules of French classicism and heralded the Romantic revolution on stage. Hugo’s declaration that drama must mingle the sublime and the grotesque – just as life does – stunned the literary establishment and electrified young writers across Europe. Though the play itself went largely unperformed (its frequent scene changes and colossal cast made it impractical to stage), the ideas in its introduction spread like wildfire, challenging censors and captivating a generation yearning for new creative freedom. Written under a repressive French monarchy, the play uses England’s past to comment obliquely on Hugo’s present – celebrating republican ideals while warning of power’s corruptions. Its famous preface explicitly argues that art must break free of artificial constraints, reflecting the full range of human experience. That document became a cornerstone of French Romanticism, cited for decades as the moment the “modern drama” was born. Although Cromwell the play remained largely a literary experience (an “unstageable” epic read more often than seen), its legacy lived on in every Romantic triumph that followed – from Hugo’s own Hernani to the works of Dumas and Musset. Ambitious, unwieldy, but intellectually exhilarating, Cromwell stands as a testament to Victor Hugo’s conviction that the theater of ideas could transform culture, even if the physical stage was not quite ready for his vision. This critical reader''s edition presents a modern translation of the original manuscript, crafted to help the armchair philosopher engage deeply with Victor Hugo''s works through clean, contemporary language and streamlined syntax that clarifies his expansive ideas. Supplementary material enriches the text with autobiographical, historical, and linguistic context, including an afterword by the translator on Hugo’s history, impact, and intellectual legacy, an index of the themes and philosophical concepts he employs—emphasizing Romanticism, social justice, and moral idealism—a comprehensive chronological list of his published writings, and a detailed timeline of his life, highlighting the personal relationships (including his relationship with Charles Dickens) and political commitments that shaped his vision.

"Notre-Dame de Paris," also known as "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame," is a classic novel by Victor Hugo that explores themes of love, fate, and social injustice set against the backdrop of 15th-century Paris. The story begins with a grand public event at the Palais de Justice, where a morality play is to be performed. The crowd, eager for entertainment, grows restless as they await the arrival of the Flemish ambassadors and the commencement of the play. Amidst the chaos, Pierre Gringoire, the playwright, anxiously anticipates the reception of his work. The narrative introduces a diverse cast of characters, including the deformed bell-ringer Quasimodo, the beautiful gypsy Esmeralda, and the conflicted archdeacon Claude Frollo. As the story unfolds, these characters become entangled in a web of unrequited love, jealousy, and tragedy. Quasimodo''s devotion to Esmeralda, Frollo''s obsessive desire, and Gringoire''s quest for recognition highlight the complexities of human emotion and the harsh realities of societal norms. Hugo''s vivid descriptions of Notre-Dame Cathedral and the vibrant city of Paris serve as a powerful backdrop to the unfolding drama, emphasizing the novel''s exploration of the tension between the past and the present, and the individual''s struggle against destiny.

Hidden deep within the confines of Notre Dame, Quasimodo lives in solitude, shunned by the outside world because of his hideous appearance. His only joy is the appearance of a woman by the name of Esmerelda who takes pity on him because of his circumstances. Esmerelda, after attracting unwanted attention from members of the Church finds herself in a battle for her life, and seemingly only Quasimodo, the man she has taken pity on can save her.A mad priest, a vagabond playwright, a social-climbing soldier, and a deformed bell-ringer all are captivated by a gypsy girl''s beauty and charm. Two of them will betray her, but the others will remain loyal, even in the shadow of the gallows. These outlaws find sanctuary within the walls of medieval Paris'' greatest monument, the grand Cathedral of Notre Dame."What a beautiful thing Notre-Dame is!" declared Gustave Flaubert of Victor Hugo''s 1837 novel. Originally published as Notre-Dame de Paris (Our Lady of Paris), it was conceived as a story of the cathedral itself, which functioned as the passionate heart of fifteenth-century city life. But Hugo''s human drama rivals the Gothic masterpiece for dominance. Drawn with humor and compassion, his characters endure, both in literary history and in readers'' imaginations: Frollo, the sinister archdeacon; Quasimodo, the hideous hunchback; and the enchanting outcast, Esmeralda.

Les Misérables Volume One: Fantine is the introduction to Victor Hugo’s acclaimed historical novel centering a weary hero and heroine torn by poverty and politics. It’s a captivating story marked by love, betrayal and ultimately, loss. The story follows former convict, Jean Valjean, who spent nearly two decades in prison for stealing food for his family. After he’s released, Valjean is unable to find work or proper lodging. He’s forced to sleep on the streets before a kind soul offers him food and shelter. Valjean decides to change his name, creating a new life for himself as a successful factory owner and mayor. Valjean’s rise coincides with the decline of a young woman named Fantine. She is a single mother who is struggling to support her daughter Cosette. Due to the child’s illegitimacy, Fantine is unable to keep a job and is forced into prostitution. When the overzealous Inspector Javert arrests Fantine, the mayor intervenes on her behalf. This decision leads to an unexpected reveal and unfortunate tragedy. Les Misérables Volume One: Fantine features two of the most popular literary characters ever created. Both Fantine and Jean Valjean are beloved yet harrowing figures. They are part of a captivating tale that’s been adapted multiple times for stage, television and film. The most notable being the 2012 Oscar-winning production from director, Tom Hooper. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Les Misérables Volume One: Fantine is both modern and readable.

One of the greatest books ever written. A splendid masterpiece...

Les Misérables (1862) is a novel French author Victor Hugo, and among the best-known novels of the 19th century. It follows the lives and interactions of several French characters over a twenty year period...

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (French: Notre-Dame de Paris) is an 1831 French novel written Victor Hugo. It is set in 1482 in Paris, in and around the cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris. The book tells the story...

Lovely Esmeralda, haunted by an obsessive would-be lover and unjustly accused of murder, unexpectedly finds a tormented protector in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Quasimodo the hunchback keeps to his duties as bell-ringer of Notre Dame cathedral and stays close to his guardian, the Archdeacon Claude Frollo. His devotion proves misguided when a plan of Frollo’s goes wrong and Quasimodo finds himself abused by a crowd and shown mercy only by the gypsy girl Esmeralda. The hunchback’s love and resolve to protect her leads to desperate action and tragedy when she is falsely accused of murder. Emotions run high as society’s elite falters and fails, and the lowest misfits of society prove their worth in this timeless epic of love, justice and redemption. The novel’s human characters have all but taken on lives of their own, but notice must be made of the author’s treatment of Notre Dame as the cathedral virtually becomes a character itself. The book’s loving descriptions spurred increased appreciation of Notre Dame as a symbol of Paris and inspired its preservation and renovation. The Hunchback of Notre Dame was first published in 1831 and has since been adapted to stage and screen many times, with more than one of the film versions attaining classic status. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of The Hunchback of Notre Dame is both modern and readable.

Ursus and Homo were fast friends. Ursus was a man, Homo a wolf. Their dispositions tallied. It was the man who had christened the wolf: probably he had also chosen his own name. Having found Ursus fit for himself, he had found Homo fit for the beast. Man and wolf turned their partnership to account at fairs, at village fêtes, at the corners of streets where passers-by throng, and out of the need which people seem to feel everywhere to listen to idle gossip and to buy quack medicine. The wolf, gentle and courteously subordinate, diverted the crowd. It is a pleasant thing to behold the tameness of animals. Our greatest delight is to see all the varieties of domestication parade before us. This it is which collects so many folks on the road of royal processions.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Quasimodo veille sur Esmeralda dans la cath�drale. Il tente de lui faire comprendre que l'apparence physique ne fait pas tout et que Phoebus ne l'aime pas, mais la boh�mienne refuse d'entendre raison. L'amour de Quasimodo pour Esmeralda commence � prendre le dessus sur sa loyaut� envers Frollo, au point que, lorsque Frollo tente de faire violence � la boh�mienne, Quasimodo l'en emp�che. Quasimodo tente de persuader Phoebus de venir voir Esmeralda, mais il �choue.

More commonly known as The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, Victor Hugo's Romantic novel of dark passions and unrequited loveIn the vaulted Gothic towers of Notre-Dame Cathedral lives Quasimodo, the hunchbacked bellringer. Mocked and shunned for his appearance, he is pitied only by Esmerelda, a beautiful gypsy dancer to whom he becomes completely devoted. Esmerelda, however, has also attracted the attention of the sinister archdeacon Claude Frollo, and when she rejects his lecherous approaches, Frollo hatches a plot to destroy her, that only Quasimodo can prevent. Victor Hugo's sensational, evocative novel brings life to the medieval Paris he loved, and mourns its passing in one of the greatest historical romances of the nineteenth century.

"The classic book has always read again and again.""What is the classic book?""""Why is the classic book?""READ READ READ.. then you''ll know it''s excellence."

"Under Sentence of Death - Or, a Criminal's Last Hours" is a fictional account of the trial and sentencing of a man that ultimately leads to his death. A thought-provoking insight to a criminal's last moments, "Under Sentence of Death" is not to be missed by fans of Hugo's work, and it would make for a worthy addition to any collection. Victor Marie Hugo (1802 - 1885) was a French novelist, dramatist, and poet belonging to the Romantic movement. He is widely hailed as one of the most accomplished and well-known French writers, originally achieving renown for his poetical endeavours-the most notable of which are the volumes "Les Contemplations" and "La Légende des siècles". Outside of his native country, Hugo's best-known works are his novels: "Les Misérables" (1862) and "Notre-Dame de Paris" (1831), commonly known as "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame". We are proudly republishing this vintage detective novel now in a brand new edition complete with a specially-commissioned new biography of the author.

This is the first volume of Victor Hugo's 1862 French historical novel, "Les Misérables". Considered to be one of the greatest novels of the nineteenth century, it chronicles the lives of several characters, focusing on ex-convict Jean Valjean's struggle for redemption. It constitutes a profound examination of French history, the nature of law and justice, contemporary urban life, politics, moral philosophy, religion, and the types of romantic and familial love. A veritable masterpiece, "Les Misérables" is a must-read for all lovers of literature. Victor Marie Hugo (1802 - 1885) was a French novelist, dramatist, and poet belonging to the Romantic movement. He is widely hailed as one of the most accomplished and well-known French writers, originally achieving renown for his poetical endeavours-the most notable of which are the volumes "Les Contemplations" and "La Légende des siècles". Outside of his native country, Hugo's best-known works are his novels: "Les Misérables" (1862) and "Notre-Dame de Paris" (1831), commonly known as "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame". Aside from his literary achievements, he also produced over 4,000 beautiful drawings and was a prominent campaigner for social and political issues, including abolishing capital punishment. Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. We are republishing this book now in an affordable, high-quality, modern edition complete with a specially commissioned new biography of the author.

In the third and fourth part, tells the story of Fantine, a girl who falls in love but is suddenly left by her lover while she is pregnant. Disconsolate, she decides to give a decent education to her daughter whom Cossette calls. But the single mother''s life is harder than she expected and the finances are not enough. He then asks his family to take care of the child. This new situation transforms the life of both, the family demands a lot of money to Fantine for the care of its daughter, at the same time that they mistreat and they overwhelm to Cossette.

This fifth part speaks of a man who does not know how he is making a lot of money; Your name: Monsieur Madeleine. This man is actually Jean Valjean, has undergone a very important change in his life and has been doing business and investing. Here appears a man (Javert) who thinks he knows the true identity of Monsieur Madeleine; Realizes that it is Jean Valjean, but he has no way to prove it, so he summons a trial in which Valjean, seeing that he has no escape and to fix everything at once, confesses his true identity before the whole assembly.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Victor Hugo''s The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. Are you looking for one of the best books of all time to read? Then you''ve come to the right spot! The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo is one of the best works of all time. Don''t miss out on this great classic - read The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo today!

Angelo / par Victor Hugo; illustre de dix dessins par BeauceDate de l'edition originale: 1866Ce livre est la reproduction fidele d'une oeuvre publiee avant 1920 et fait partie d'une collection de livres reimprimes a la demande editee par Hachette Livre, dans le cadre d'un partenariat avec la Bibliotheque nationale de France, offrant l'opportunite d'acceder a des ouvrages anciens et souvent rares issus des fonds patrimoniaux de la BnF.Les oeuvres faisant partie de cette collection ont ete numerisees par la BnF et sont presentes sur Gallica, sa bibliotheque numerique.En entreprenant de redonner vie a ces ouvrages au travers d'une collection de livres reimprimes a la demande, nous leur donnons la possibilite de rencontrer un public elargi et participons a la transmission de connaissances et de savoirs parfois difficilement accessibles.Nous avons cherche a concilier la reproduction fidele d'un livre ancien a partir de sa version numerisee avec le souci d'un confort de lecture optimal. Nous esperons que les ouvrages de cette nouvelle collection vous apporteront entiere satisfaction.Pour plus d'informations, rendez-vous sur www.hachettebnf.frhttp: //gallica.bnf.fr/ark: /12148/bpt6k61300394

Now a major motion picure, adapted from the acclaimed Broadway musical, starring Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried, and Sacha Baron Cohen Victor Hugo’s tale of injustice, heroism and love follows the fortunes of Jean Valjean, an escaped convict determined to put his criminal past behind him. But his attempts to become a respected member of the community are constantly put under threat: by his own conscience, when, owing to a case of mistaken identity, another man is arrested in his place; and by the relentless investigations of the dogged policeman Javert. It is not simply for himself that Valjean must stay free, however, for he has sworn to protect the baby daughter of Fantine, driven to prostitution by poverty. A compelling and compassionate view of the victims of early nineteenth-century French society, Les Misérables is a novel on an epic scale, moving inexorably from the eve of the battle of Waterloo to the July Revolution of 1830. This striking edition features the widely celebrated and eminently readable translation by Norman Denny.

"Story of the ex-convict Jean Valjean, who escapes prison and tries to turn his life around, but cannot escape his past"--

The French title of the novel emphasizes Notre Dame''s (A French memorial) role as a symbol of Paris. Primarily novel is concerned with the theme of revolution and social strife. Hugo was profoundly concerned by the class differences that set the 1789 French Revolution in motion. Hugo acknowledges that fate plays a powerful role, but implies that free will is also possible.

Victor Hugo’s Bug-Jargal (1826) is one of the most important works of nineteenth-century colonial fiction, and quite possibly the most sustained novelistic treatment of the Haitian Revolution by a major European author. This Broadview edition makes Hugo’s novel available in a completely new English translation, the first in over one hundred years. Set in 1791, during the first months of a slave revolt that would eventually lead to the creation of the black republic of Haiti in 1804, Bug-Jargal is a stirring tale of interracial friendship and rivalry, a provocative account of the ties that bind a young Frenchman to one of the rebel leaders and the tragic misunderstandings that threaten to sever those ties completely. This Broadview edition contains a critical introduction and a broad selection of appendices, including Hugo’s never-before-translated 1820 short story “Bug-Jargal,” contemporary reviews of the novel, documents pertaining to the young Hugo’s poetics and politics, and selections from his source materials about the Haitian Revolution.

This paperback original is a new translation of Hugo''s great novel of the sea and includes comprehensive endnotes and Hugo''s illustrations, which have never been reproduced in any edition of this monumental work.

Although best known as the author of Notre Dame de Paris and Les Misérables, Victor Hugo was primarily a poet—one of the most important and prolific in French history. Despite his renown, however, there are few comprehensive collections of his verse available and even fewer translated editions. Translators E. H. and A. M. Blackmore have collected Victor Hugo''s essential verse into a single, bilingual volume that showcases all the facets of Hugo''s oeuvre, including intimate love poems, satires against the political establishment, serene meditations, religious verse, and narrative poems illustrating his mastery of the art of storytelling and his abiding concern for the social issues of his time. More than half of this volume''s eight thousand lines of verse appear here for the first time in English, providing readers with a new perspective on each of the fascinating periods of Hugo''s career and aspects of his style. Introductions to each section guide the reader through the stages of Hugo''s writing, while notes on individual poems provide information not found in even the most detailed French-language editions. Illustrated with Hugo''s own paintings and drawings, this lucid translation—available on the eve of Hugo''s bicentenary—pays homage to this towering figure of nineteenth-century literature by capturing the energy of his poetry, the drama and satirical force of his language, and the visionary beauty of his writing as a whole.

More commonly known as The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, Victor Hugo''s Romantic novel of dark passions and unrequited love In the vaulted Gothic towers of Notre-Dame Cathedral lives Quasimodo, the hunchbacked bellringer. Mocked and shunned for his appearance, he is pitied only by Esmerelda, a beautiful gypsy dancer to whom he becomes completely devoted. Esmerelda, however, has also attracted the attention of the sinister archdeacon Claude Frollo, and when she rejects his lecherous approaches, Frollo hatches a plot to destroy her, that only Quasimodo can prevent. Victor Hugo''s sensational, evocative novel brings life to the medieval Paris he loved, and mourns its passing in one of the greatest historical romances of the nineteenth century. John Sturrock''s clear, contemporary translation is accompanied by an introduction discussing it as a passionate novel of ideas, written in defence of Gothic architecture and of a burgeoning democracy, and demonstrating that an ugly exterior can conceal moral beauty. This revised edition also includes further reading and a chronology of Hugo''s life. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.