Les Miserables (abridged) (Barnes & Noble Classics Series) Read online

  Table of Contents

  FROM THE PAGES OF LES MISÉRABLES

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  VICTOR HUGO

  THE WORLD OF VICTOR HUGO AND LES MISÉRABLES

  Introduction

  Acknowledgements

  A NOTE ON THE ABRIDGMENT

  PREFACE

  FANTINE - BOOK ONE AN UPRIGHT MAN

  Chapter 1 - M. MYRIEL

  Chapter 2 - M. MYRIEL BECOMES MONSEIGNEUR BIENVENU

  Chapter 3 - A DIFFICULT DIOCESE FOR A GOOD BISHOP

  Chapter 4 - GOOD WORKS THAT MATCH THE WORDS

  5 (7) - CRAVATTE

  6 (10) - THE BISHOP IN THE PRESENCE OF AN UNKNOWN LIGHT

  BOOK TWO - THE FALL

  Chapter 1 - THE EVENING AFTER A LONG DAY’S WALK

  Chapter 2 - PRUDENCE COMMENDED TO WISDOM

  Chapter 3 - THE HEROISM OF PASSIVE OBEDIENCE

  4 (5) - TRANQUILLITY

  5 (6) - JEAN VALJEAN

  6 (7) - THE DEPTHS OF DESPAIR

  7 (9) - GRIEVANCES

  8 (10) - THE MAN AWAKES

  9 (11) - WHAT HE DOES

  10 (12) - THE BISHOP AT WORK

  11 (13) - PETIT GERVAIS

  BOOK THREE - IN THE YEAR 1817

  Chapter 1 - THE YEAR 1817

  Chapter 2 - DOUBLE FOURSOME

  Chapter 3 - FOUR TO FOUR

  Chapter 4 - THOLOMYÈS IS SO MERRY THAT HE SINGS A SPANISH SONG

  Chapter 5 - AT BOMBARDA’S

  Chapter 6 - A CHAPTER OF SELF-ADMIRATION

  Chapter 7 - THE WISDOM OF THOLOMYES

  8 (9) - JOYOUS END OF JOY

  BOOK FOUR - TO ENTRUST IS SOMETIMES TO ABANDON

  Chapter 1 - ONE MOTHER MEETS ANOTHER

  Chapter 2 - FIRST SKETCH OF TWO SUSPICIOUS-LOOKING FACES

  Chapter 3 - THE LARK

  BOOK FIVE - THE DESCENT

  Chapter 1 - THE STORY OF AN IMPROVEMENT IN JET-WORK

  Chapter 2 - MADELEINE

  Chapter 3 - MONEYS DEPOSITED WITH LAFFITTE

  Chapter 4 - MONSIEUR MADELEINE IN MOURNING

  Chapter 5 - FAINT LIGHTNING FLASHES ON THE HORIZON

  Chapter 6 - OLD FAUCHELEVENT

  Chapter 7 - FAUCHELEVENT BECOMES A GARDENER AT PARIS

  Chapter 8 - MADAME VICTURNIEN SPENDS THIRTY FRANCS ON MORALITY

  Chapter 9 - SUCCESS OF MADAME VICTURNIEN

  Chapter 10 - FURTHER SUCCESS OF THE GOSSIPS

  11 (12) - THE IDLENESS OF MONSIEUR BAMATABOIS

  12 (13) - THE SOLUTION TO SOME MUNICIPAL POLICE ISSUES

  BOOK SIX - JAVERT

  Chapter 1 - THE BEGINNING OF REPOSE

  Chapter 2 - HOW JEAN CAN BECOME CHAMP

  BOOK SEVEN - THE CHAMPMATHIEU CASE

  Chapter 1 - SISTER SIMPLICE

  Chapter 2 - THE SHREWDNESS OF MASTER SCAUFFLAIRE

  3 (4) - FORMS ASSUMED BY SUFFERING DURING SLEEP

  4 (5) - OBSTACLES

  5 (6) - SISTER SIMPLICE PUT TO THE TEST

  6 (7) - THE TRAVELLER ARRIVES AND PROVIDES FOR HIS RETURN

  7 (8) - ADMISSION BY FAVOUR

  8 (9) - A PLACE FOR ARRIVING AT CONVICTIONS

  9 (10) - THE ACCUSED

  10 (11) - CHAMPMATHIEU MORE AND MORE ASTONISHED

  BOOK EIGHT - COUNTER-STROKE

  Chapter 1 - IN WHAT MIRROR M. MADELEINE LOOKS AT HIS HAIR

  Chapter 2 - FANTINE HAPPY

  Chapter 3 - JAVERT SATISFIED

  Chapter 4 - AUTHORITY RESUMES ITS SWAY

  Chapter 5 - A FITTING TOMB

  COSETTE - BOOK ONE WATERLOO

  Chapter 1 - WHAT YOU MEET IN COMING FROM NIVELLES

  2 (19) - THE FIELD OF BATTLE AT NIGHT

  BOOK Two - THE CONVICT SHIP ORION

  Chapter 1 - NUMBER 24601 BECOMES NUMBER 9430

  2 (3) - SHOWING THAT THE CHAIN OF THE SHACKLE MUST NEEDS HAVE UNDERGONE A ...

  BOOK THREE - KEEPING THE PROMISE TO THE DEAD WOMAN

  Chapter 1 - THE WATER PROBLEM AT MONTFERMEIL

  Chapter 2 - TWO PORTRAITS COMPLETED

  Chapter 3 - MEN MUST HAVE WINE AND HORSES WATER

  Chapter 4 - A DOLL COMES ONSTAGE

  Chapter 5 - THE LITTLE GIRL ALL ALONE

  Chapter 6 - WHICH PERHAPS PROVES THE INTELLIGENCE OF BOULATRUELLE

  Chapter 7 - COSETTE SIDE BY SIDE WITH THE UNKNOWN, IN THE DARKNESS

  Chapter 8 - INCONVENIENCE OF ENTERTAINING A POOR MAN WHO IS PERHAPS RICH

  Chapter 9 - THENARDIER MANŒUVRING

  Chapter 10 - WHO SEEKS THE BEST MAY FIND THE WORST

  Chapter 11 - NUMBER 9430 COMES UP AGAIN, AND COSETTE DRAWS IT

  BOOK FOUR - THE OLD GORBEAU HOUSE

  Chapter 1 - MASTER GORBEAU

  Chapter 2 - A NEST FOR OWL AND WREN

  Chapter 3 - TWO MISFORTUNES MINGLED MAKE HAPPINESS

  Chapter 4 - WHAT THE LANDLADY DISCOVERED

  Chapter 5 - A FIVE-FRANC COIN FALLING ON THE FLOOR MAKES A NOISE

  BOOK FIVE - A SINISTER HUNT REQUIRES A SILENT PACK

  Chapter 1 - STRATEGIC ZIGZAGS

  Chapter 2 - IT IS FORTUNATE THAT VEHICLES CAN CROSS THE BRIDGE OF AUSTERLITZ

  Chapter 3 - SEE THE MAP OF PARIS IN 1727

  Chapter 4 - GROPING FOR ESCAPE

  Chapter 5 - WHICH WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE WERE THE STREETS LIGHTED WITH GAS

  Chapter 6 - A MYSTERY BEGINS

  Chapter 7 - THE MYSTERY CONTINUED

  Chapter 8 - THE MYSTERY REDOUBLES

  Chapter 9 - THE MAN WITH THE BELL

  Chapter 10 - IN WHICH IS EXPLAINED HOW JAVERT LOST HIS PREY

  BOOK EIGHT - CEMETERIES TAKE WHAT IS GIVEN THEM

  Chapter 1 - WHICH TELLS HOW TO ENTER THE CONVENT

  Chapter 2 - FAUCHELEVENT FACING THE DIFFICULTY

  Chapter 3 - MOTHER INNOCENT

  Chapter 4 - IN WHICH JEAN VALJEAN HAS QUITE THE APPEARANCE OF HAVING READ ...

  Chapter 5 - IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO BE A DRUNKARD TO BE IMMORTAL

  Chapter 6 - DEAD AND BURIED

  Chapter 7 - THE MISSING CARD

  Chapter 8 - SUCCESSFUL EXAMINATION

  Chapter 9 - THE CLOSE

  MARIUS - BOOK ONE PARIS STUDIED THROUGH ITS MICROCOSM

  Chapter 1 - PARVULUS

  Chapter 2 - SOME OF HIS PRIVATE MARKS

  Chapter 3 - HE IS AGREEABLE

  Chapter 4 - HE MAY BE USEFUL

  5 (13) - LITTLE GAVROCHE

  BOOK THREE - THE GRANDFATHER AND THE GRANDSON

  1 (2) - ONE OF THE RED SPECTRES OF THAT TIME

  2 (3) - REQUIESCANT

  3 (4) - END OF THE BRIGAND

  4 (5) - THE USEFULNESS OF GOING TO MASS TO BECOME A REVOLUTIONARY

  5 (6) - WHAT IT IS TO HAVE MET A CHURCHWARDEN

  BOOK FOUR - THE FRIENDS OF THEABC

  Chapter 1 - A GROUP WHICH ALMOST BECAME HISTORIC

  Chapter 2 - FUNERAL ORATION UPON BLONDEAU, BY BOSSUET

  Chapter 3 - THE ASTONISHMENTS OF MARIUS

  Chapter 4 - THE BACK ROOM OF THE CAFÉ MUSAIN

  Chapter 5 - ENLARGEMENT OF THE HORIZON

  Chapter 6 - ANGUISH

  BOOK FIVE - THE EXCELLENCE OF MISFORTUNE

  Chapter 1 - MARIUS INDIGENT

  Chapter 2 - MARIUS POOR

  Chapter 3 - MARIUS GROWN

  BOOK SIX - THE CONJUNCTION OF TWO STARS

  Chapter 1 - THE NICKNAME: MODE OF FORMATION OF FAMILY NAMES

  Chapter 2 - A LIGHT DAWNS

  Chapter 3 - AN EFFECT OF SPRING

  Chapter 4 - COMMENCEMENT OF A SERIOUS ILLNESS

  Chapter 5 - SUNDRY THUNDERBOLTS FALL UPON MA‘AM BOUGON

 
Chapter 6 - TAKEN PRISONER

  Chapter 7 - ADVENTURES OF THE LETTER U ABANDONED TO CONJECTURE

  Chapter 8 - EVEN DISABLED VETERANS MAY BE LUCKY

  Chapter 9 - AN ECLIPSE

  BOOK SEVEN - PATRON-MINETTE

  Chapter 1 - THE MINES AND THE MINERS

  Chapter 2 - THE LOWEST DEPTH

  Chapter 3 - BABET, GUEULEMER, CLAQUESOUS, AND MONTPARNASSE

  Chapter 4 - COMPOSITION OF THE BAND

  BOOK EIGHT - THE CRIMINAL POOR

  1 (2) - A FIND

  2 (3) - THE MAN WITH FOUR FACES

  3 (4) - A ROSE IN DIRE POVERTY

  4 (5) - THE PROVIDENTIAL SPYHOLE

  5 (6) - THE WILD MAN IN HIS LAIR

  6 (7) - STRATEGY AND TACTICS

  7 (8) - THE SUNBEAM IN THE HOLE

  8 (9) - JONDRETTE WEEPS ALMOST

  9 (10) - PRICE OF CABS: TWO FRANCS AN HOUR

  10 (11) - OFFERS OF SERVICE BY POVERTY TO GRIEF

  11 (12) - THE USE OF M. LEBLANC’S FIVE-FRANC COIN

  12 (13) - SOLUS CUM SOLO, IN LOCO REMOTO, NON COGITABANTUR ORARE PATER NOSTER

  13 (14) - IN WHICH A POLICE OFFICER GIVES A LAWYER TWO COUPS DE POIGN

  14 (15) - JONDRETTE MAKES HIS PURCHASE

  15 (16) - IN WHICH WILL BE FOUND THE SONG SET TO AN ENGLISH AIR IN FASHION IN 1832

  16 (17) - USE OF MARIUS’ FIVE-FRANC COIN

  17 (18) - MARIUS’ TWO CHAIRS FACE EACH OTHER

  18 (19) - THE DISTRACTIONS OF DARK CORNERS

  19 (20) - THE AMBUSH

  20 (21) - THE VICTIMS SHOULD ALWAYS BE ARRESTED FIRST

  THE EPIC ON THE RUE SAINT-DENIS AND THE IDYLL OF THE RUE PLUMET - BOOK ONE A ...

  Chapter 1 - WELL CUT

  Chapter 2 - BADLY SEWED TOGETHER

  3 (4) - CRACKS UNDER THE FOUNDATION

  BOOK Two - EPONINE

  1(2) - EMBRYONIC FORMATION OF CRIMES IN THE INCUBATION OF PRISONS

  2 (4) - AN APPARITION TO MARIUS

  BOOK THREE - THE HOUSE IN THE RUE PLUMET

  v - THE SECRET HOUSE

  2 (5) - THE ROSE DISCOVERS THAT SHE IS AN ENGINE OF WAR

  3 (6) - THE BATTLE COMMENCES

  4 (7) - FOR SADNESS, SADNESS REDOUBLED

  BOOK FOUR - AID FROM BELOW MAY BE AID FROM ABOVE

  Chapter 1 - WOUND WITHOUT, CURE WITHIN

  BOOK FIVE - THE END OF WHICH IS UNLIKE THE BEGINNING

  1(2) - FEARS OF COSETTE

  2 (3) - ENRICHED BY THE COMMENTARIES OF TOUSSAINT

  3 (4) - A HEART UNDER A STONE

  4 (5) - COSETTE AFTER THE LETTER

  5 (6) - THE OLD ARE MADE TO GO OUT WHEN CONVENIENT

  BOOK SIX - LITTLE GAVROCHE

  Chapter 1 - A MALEVOLENT TRICK OF THE WIND

  Chapter 2 - IN WHICH LITTLE GAVROCHE TAKES ADVANTAGE OF NAPOLEON THE GREAT

  Chapter 3 - THE FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES OF ESCAPE

  BOOK EIGHT - ENCHANTMENT AND DESPAIR

  Chapter 1 - SUNSHINE

  Chapter 2 - THE STUPEFACTION OF COMPLETE HAPPINESS

  Chapter 3 - THE SHADOW GROWS

  Chapter 4 - CAB ROLLS IN ENGLISH AND YELPS IN ARGOT

  5 (6) - MARIUS BECOMES SO REAL AS TO GIVE COSETTE HIS ADDRESS

  6 (7) - THE OLD HEART AND YOUNG HEART IN PRESENCE

  BOOK NINE - WHERE ARE THEY GOING?

  Chapter 1 - JEAN VALJEAN

  Chapter 2 - MARIUS

  BOOK ELEVEN - THE ATOM FRATERNISES WITH THE HURRICANE

  1 (6) - RECRUITS

  BOOK TWELVE - CORINTH

  Chapter 1 - HISTORY OF CORINTH FROM ITS FOUNDATION

  2 (3) - NIGHT BEGINS TO GATHER OVER GRANTAIRE

  3 (4) - ATTEMPT TO CONSOLE THE WIDOW HUCHELOUP

  4 (5) - THE PREPARATIONS

  5 (7) - THE MAN RECRUITED IN THE RUE DES BILLETTES

  BOOK THIRTEEN - MARIUS ENTERS THE SHADOW

  Chapter 1 - FROM THE RUE PLUMET TO THE QUARTIER SAINT-DENIS

  2 (3) - THE EXTREME LIMIT

  BOOK FOURTEEN - THE GRANDEUR OF DESPAIR

  Chapter 1 - THE FLAG: FIRST ACT

  2 (4) - THE KEG OF POWDER

  3 (5) - END OF JEAN PROUVAIRE’S RHYME

  4 (6) - THE AGONY OF DEATH AFTER THE AGONY OF LIFE

  5 (7) - GAVROCHE A PROFOUND CALCULATOR OF DISTANCES

  BOOK FIFTEEN - THE RUE DE L’HOMME ARMÉ

  Chapter 1 - BLOTTER,BLABBER

  Chapter 2 - THE GAMIN AN ENEMY OF LIGHT

  Chapter 3 - WHILE COSSETE AND TOUSSAINT SLEEP

  JEAN VALJEAN - BOOK ONE WAR BETWEEN FOUR WALLS

  1(2) - WHAT CAN BE DONE IN THE ABYSS BUT TO TALK

  2 (3) - LIGHT DAWNS AND DARKENS

  3 (4) - FIVE LESS, ONE MORE

  4 (5) - WHAT HORIZON IS VISIBLE FROM THE TOP OF THE BARRICADE

  5 (6) - MARIUS HAGGARD, JAVERT LACONIC

  6 (7) - THE SITUATION GROWS SERIOUS

  7 (8) - THE GUNNERS PRODUCE A SERIOUS IMPRESSION

  8 (9) - USE OF THAT OLD POACHER’S SKILL, AND THAT INFALLIBLE AIM WHICH ...

  9 (10) - DAWN

  10 (11 ) - THE SHOT WHICH MISSES NOTHING AND KILLS NOBODY

  11 (13) - PASSING GLEAMS

  12 (14) - IN WHICH WILL BE FOUND THE NAME OF ENJOLRAS’ MISTRESS

  13 (15) - GAVROCHE OUTSIDE

  14 (16) - HOW BROTHER BECOMES FATHER

  15 (17) - MORTUUS PATER FILIUM MORITURUM EXPECTAT

  16 (19) - JEAN VALJEAN TAKES HIS REVENGE

  17 (20) - THE DEAD ARE RIGHT AND THE LIVING ARE NOT WRONG

  18 (21) - THE HEROES

  19 (22) - FOOT TO FOOT

  20 (23) - ORESTES FASTING AND PYLADES DRUNK

  21 (24) - PRISONER

  BOOK THREE - MIRE, BUT SOUL

  Chapter 1 - THE CLOACA AND ITS SURPRISES

  Chapter 2 - EXPLANATION

  Chapter 3 - THE MAN TAILED

  Chapter 4 - HE ALSO BEARS HIS CROSS

  Chapter 5 - FOR SAND AS WELL AS WOMAN THERE IS A FINESSE WHICH IS PERFIDY

  Chapter 6 - THE FONTIS

  Chapter 7 - EXTREMITIES

  Chapter 8 - THE TORN COAT-TAIL

  Chapter 9 - MARIUS SEEMS TO BE DEAD TO ONE WHO IS A GOOD JUDGE

  Chapter 10 - RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL SON—OF HIS LIFE

  Chapter 11 - COMMOTION IN THE ABSOLUTE

  Chapter 12 - THE ANCESTOR

  BOOK FOUR - JAVERT DERAILED

  Chapter 1 - JAVERT DERAILED

  BOOK FIVE - THE GRANDSON AND THE GRANDFATHER

  1 (2) - MARIUS, ESCAPING FROM CIVIL WAR, PREPARES FOR DOMESTIC WAR

  2 (3) - MARIUS ATTACKS

  3 (4) - MADEMOISELLE GILLENORMAND AT LAST THINKS IT NOT IMPROPER THAT MONSIEUR ...

  4 (5) - DEPOSIT YOUR MONEY RATHER IN SOME FOREST THAN WITH SOME LAWYER

  5 (6) - THE TWO OLD MEN DO EVERYTHING, EACH IN HIS OWN WAY, THAT COSETTE MAY BE HAPPY

  6 (7) - THE EFFECTS OF DREAM MINGLED WITH HAPPINESS

  7 (8) - TWO MEN IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND

  BOOK SIX - THE SLEEPLESS NIGHT

  1 (2) - JEAN VALJEAN STILL HAS HIS ARM IN A SLING

  2 (3) - THE INSEPARABLE

  3 (4) - UNDYING FAITH

  BOOK SEVEN - THE LAST DROP IN THE CHALICE

  Chapter 1 - THE SEVENTH CIRCLE AND THE EIGHTH HEAVEN

  Chapter 2 - THE OBSCURITIES WHICH A REVELATION MAY CONTAIN

  BOOK EIGHT - THE FINAL TWILIGHT

  Chapter 1 - THE BASEMENT ROOM

  Chapter 2 - OTHER STEPS BACKWARD

  Chapter 3 - THEY REMEMBER THE GARDEN IN THE RUE PLUMET

  Chapter 4 - ATTRACTION AND EXTINCTION

  BOOK NINE - THE LAST NIGHT YIELDS TO THE LAST DAWN

  Chapter 1 - PITY FOR THE UNHAPPY, BUT INDULGENCE FOR THE HAPPY

  Chapter 2 - THE LAST FLICKERINGS OF THE EXHAUSTED LAMP

  Chapter 3 - A PEN IS HEAVY TO HIM WHO LIFTED FAUCHELEVENT’S CART

  Chapter 4 - A BOTTLE OF INK WHICH SERVES ONLY TO WHITEN

  Chapter 5 - NIGHT BEHIND WHICH IS DAWN

  ENDNOTES

&n
bsp; INSPIRED BY LES MISÉRABLES

  COMMENTS & QUESTIONS

  FOR FURTHER READING

  FROM THE PAGES OF LES MISÉRABLES

  What is said about men often has as much influence upon their lives, and especially upon their destinies, as what they do. (page 11)

  Great grief is a divine and terrible radiance which transfigures the wretched. (page 122)

  “In the winter, it is so cold that you thresh your arms to warm them; but the bosses won’t allow that; they say it is a waste of time. It is tough work to handle iron when there is ice on the pavements. It wears a man out quick. You get old when you are young at this trade. A man is used up by forty. I was fifty-three.” (page 175)

  No one ever keeps a secret so well as a child. (page 329)

  The jostlings of young minds against each other have this wonderful attribute, that one can never foresee the spark, nor predict the flash. What may spring up in a moment? Nobody knows. (page 379)

  All the problems which the socialists propounded, aside from the cos mogonic visions, dreams, and mysticism, may be reduced to two principal problems. First problem: To produce wealth. Second problem: To distribute it. (page 505)

  Social prosperity means, man happy, the citizen free, the nation great.

  (page 505)

  He did not even know at night what he had done in the morning, nor where he had breakfasted, nor who had spoken to him; he had songs in his ear which rendered him deaf to every other thought; he existed only during the hours in which he saw Cosette. Then, as he was in Heaven, it was quite natural that he should forget the earth. (page 581)