independent reading book entry#1

The point of this blog post is to explain some really hard problems that are going on in a book. the book that I am currently reading is Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. I am sure that many of you have heard of it for it is ranked among the greatest novels of all time and is also quite a famous musical. Now as for the really hard things going on in this book, there are many. The book was written in 1862, therefore it is full of history. It explains the history of France, monarchy,the concept of good and evil, and love.  The novel focuses on the struggles of Jean Valjean and his journey to redemption. Jean Valjean is a noble peasant who is imprisoned for simply stealing a loaf of bread in order to feed his starving family. That is one of the main problems in the book, the lack of  justice. Jean Valjean is imprisoned for 19 years. Even after he has paid out his debt he is marked a convict denying him many rights as a person. This is an example  of a lack of justice in Paris during the 19th century. Also during this time period there was no free education.Jean Valjean is educated in prison.  Jean Valjean is relentlessly persecuted throughout the book. Although I am not very far into the book the main themes are already clearly evident. Victor Hugo immerses the reader into moral philosophy, or the theme of good and evil. The book was originally written in French hence the title. The literal translation of Les Misérables is the miserable ones giving you a hint of what this book is about. And although the title may sound a bit mournful, the book itself is a heart warming classic. And despite the conflicts and the constant battle between good and evil and the undeniable theme of crime and punishment , this book is beautiful and deeply meaningful.