Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
Set in early 19th-century France, the narrative follows the lives and interactions of several characters, particularly the struggles of ex-convict Jean Valjean and his journey towards redemption. The story touches upon the nature of law and grace, and elaborates upon the history of France, architecture of Paris, politics, moral philosophy, antimonarchism, justice, religion, and the types and nature of romantic and familial love. It is known for its vivid and relatable characters, and its exploration of societal and moral issues.
The 41st greatest book of all time
Ranking Details:
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Total Points: 3758
This book was first published in 1862
60 Lists
- score: 204 -- 'The perfect library': the 196 books selected by 133 personalities - 2020 (Weight: 190)
- score: 190 -- 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die - 2006 (Weight: 180)
- score: 190 -- El Pais Favorite Books of 100 Spanish Authors - 2008 (Weight: 190)
- score: 180 -- 222 Best Books of All Time That Deserve a Spot on Your Bookshelf, With Picks from Bestselling Authors and Indie Booksellers - 2024 (Weight: 170)
- score: 176 -- Pour une Bibliothèque Idéale - 1956 (Weight: 170)
- score: 169 -- The Bigger Read List - 2003 (Weight: 160)
- score: 169 -- Harenberg Buch der 1000 Bücher - 2005 (Weight: 160)
- score: 148 -- 1000 Novels Everyone Must Read - 2009 (Weight: 140)
- score: 134 -- Top 100 World Literature Titles - 2017 (Weight: 120)
- score: 133 -- 100 Life-Changing Books - 2006 (Weight: 126)
- score: 128 -- What are the Goncourt Winners’ Favorite Books? - 2023 (Weight: 128)
- score: 127 -- The Great Books Podcast from John J. Miller - 2025 (Weight: 120)
- score: 125 -- Big Read (Bulgarian) - 2009 (Weight: 120)
- score: 122 -- The 100 Stories that Shaped the World - 2019 (Weight: 120)
- score: 122 -- Big Read (Hungarian) - 2005 (Weight: 110)
- score: 106 -- IWU Select 100 Must-Read Books - 1991 (Weight: 100)
- score: 105 -- 200 Books That Shaped 200 Years of Literature - 2021 (Weight: 105)
- score: 94 -- 101 Significant Books - 1989 (Weight: 89)
- score: 94 -- Have You Read 100 Great Books? - 1950 (Weight: 89)
- score: 93 -- 100 Books of Classical and Modern Foreign Literature - 2013 (Weight: 80)
- score: 85 -- TrueLit's Top 100 Favorite Books (2023) - 2023 (Weight: 80)
- score: 81 -- All-Time Classics, According to Academics - 1985 (Weight: 81)
- score: 75 -- ZEIT-Bibliothek der 100 Bücher - 2009 (Weight: 71)
- score: 74 -- William H. F. Lamont’s 100 Best Novels (1947) - 1947 (Weight: 70)
- score: 71 -- The Big Read - 2003 (Weight: 70)
- score: 61 -- Our Users' Top 100 Favorite Books of All Time - 2024 (Weight: 60)
- score: 60 -- My Favourite Book - Australian Big Read - 2004 (Weight: 60)
- score: 59 -- The 101 Favorite Novels of 'Le Monde' Readers - 2019 (Weight: 50)
- score: 51 -- 4chan’s Literature Board’s Aggregate Top 100 Books for the Decade 2014 - 2024 - 2024 (Weight: 50)
- score: 49 -- The Books That Built The French - 2004 (Weight: 40)
- score: 40 -- Top 100 Books, As Chosen By Canadians - 2005 (Weight: 40)
- score: 33 -- Harvard Book Store Staff's Favorite 100 Books - 2011 (Weight: 33)
- score: 30 -- The Novel 100: A Ranking of the Greatest Novels of All Time - 2004 (Weight: 30)
- score: 24 -- The 500 best books of all time from Culture Café users - 2008 (Weight: 20)
- score: 22 -- 100 Essential Books - 2009 (Weight: 20)
- score: 11 -- The 100 Greatest Novels - 2007 (Weight: 10)
- score: 10 -- The Telegraph’s 100 Novels Everyone Should Read - 2009 (Weight: 10)
- score: 10 -- 101 of the World's Greatest Books (1950) - 1950 (Weight: 10)
- score: 10 -- 50 Books to (Re-)Read at 50 - 2012 (Weight: 10)
- score: 10 -- Masterpieces of World Literature - 1991 (Weight: 10)
- score: 10 -- 100 Must-Read Classics in Translation - 2017 (Weight: 10)
- score: 10 -- C.K. Shorter List of Best 100 Novels - 1898 (Weight: 10)
- score: 10 -- F. B. Perkins' List of 100 Best Fiction - 1877 (Weight: 10)
- score: 10 -- James Baldwin, The Book Lover: A Guide to the Best Reading (1910) - 1910 (Weight: 10)
- score: 10 -- The 100 Best Novels in Translation by Boyd Tonkin - 2019 (Weight: 10)
- score: 1 -- The Complete 500: OCLC - 2024 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- 100 Must-Read Classics, as Chosen by our Readers - 2022 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- Recommended Reading List for Students (China 2020) - 2020 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- The Best Classics - 2006 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- The Graphic Canon - 2012 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- Inteliquest's World's 100 Greatest Books of All-Time - 1993 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- The Books You've Always Meant to Read - 2020 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- Haycraft-Queen Cornerstones - 1955 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- 501 Must-Read Books - 2006 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List - 2018 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- 100 Best Novels in the World (Published in 1899) - 1899 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- The 100 Greatest Books Ever Written - 1979 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- Best Books Ever - 2006 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- Great Books - 2006 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- The 100 Favorite Novels of Librarians - 1999 (Weight: 1)