Les Miserables. Why I swore I would never read this novel. And why it is now one of my top two favorites.

Send us Fan MailIn 1862 Victor Hugo wrote what may be the greatest novel of the 19th century.  He wrote this masterpiece in 14 months, while he was in exile.  It is about Jean Valjean who was sentenced to the galleys for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his widowed sister and her chidren.  Many people have seen the film or stage version of this novel, but the written text is stunning.  Was it divinely inspired? I don't know.  Did the hand of God reach down and direct the hand of the author?  I don't know.  I do know there were times when I said to myself, "Hugo did not write this.  No human being could have written this."  This is my discussion of this book, and of several other books written by inspired geniuses.  The podcast is 41 minutes long.  Do yourself a favor and listen to it.  And then read the book.  Or should I say, "the books discussed herein"?