Les Miserables - Hardcover

Marcia Williams,Marcia Williams

3.91

109 ratings by Goodreads

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1406353167 ISBN 13: 9781406353167

Publisher: Walker Books Ltd

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A beautifully illustrated retelling of Victor Hugo's masterpiece. Marcia Williams retells one of the greatest novels of all time in her trademark accessible, highly illustrated style. A wonderful introduction to Victor Hugo's epic tale of injustice, love and heroism in 19th century France. The story follows Jean Valjean, an ex-convict, as he tries to put his criminal past behind him. Will he manage to escape from the ruthless Police Inspector Javert, who is determined to see him behind bars again? Can he build a life with Cosette, an orphaned girl he has rescued from poverty and neglect? When Cosette grows up and falls in love with the handsome Marius Pontmercy, will Jean Valjean let Cosette go? Or will the revolution that is sweeping through the streets of Paris tear all their lives apart?

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About the Author:

Marcia Williams has illustrated and retold many literary classics for children with her distinctive cartoon-strip style. Among her highly acclaimed titles are: Greek Myths (9781406303476), Mr William Shakespeare's Plays (9780744569469), God and His Creations: Tales from the Old Testament (9781844285280) and Oliver Twist and Other Great Dickens Stories (9781406305630). She is also the author of Lizzy Bennet's Diary (9781406346947), the story of Pride and Prejudice in Lizzy Bennet's own words, and the bestselling Archie's War (9781406304275) and My Secret War Diary by Flossie Albright (9781406309409), diary-style accounts of the First and Second World Wars. Marcia lives in London, SW13.

From School Library Journal:

Gr 5–8—Williams introduces the characters and plot of Hugo's classic novel in 15 short chapters presented in comic strip format with brief narrative text placed beneath each cartoon illustration. Characters' own comments appear in speech balloons within the cartoon frames. This is the story of Jean Valjean, who leaves prison a bitter man after having served 19 years of hard labor for stealing a loaf of bread; Valjean's honorable treatment by the Bishop of Digne after he steals the man's silverware; his remorse after taking a young boy's only coin; and his decision to spend his life helping others. Readers familiar with the classic story will recognize his later appearance in the city of Montreuil as a kind and successful businessman who hires honest, hardworking people. Valjean makes a promise to the dying Fantine to care for her young daughter, Cosette, endearing him to the people who appoint him their mayor. Only the single-minded Inspector Javert is convinced that Valjean continues to break the law. Williams's talent for telling a story in cartoon format is evidenced by the variety in her page layouts, which range in size from tiny squares to quarter-, third-, and full-page cartoons filled with movement, emotion, and fine detail. Small gray, brown, and black birds; dogs with pointy muzzles; fluffy orange, gray and black cats; roosters; and an abundance of rats appear in and around many cartoon cells. Good people are drawn with rounded, often cute, faces; evil people, like the Th�nardiers, with long, pointy noses and shifty eyes. VERDICT Children who are daunted by the length of Hugo's masterpiece may find this brief introduction to the story more palatable.—Susan Scheps, formerly at Shaker Public Library, OH

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