Les Misérables, heralded as one of the greatest novels ever written, is an extremely powerful and moving book. There's just one drawback: the book is very long.  But as more people have gotten back into reading long novels and series (that's right, Harry Potter, and the Vampire books, etc.), taking a leap into one of the masterpieces of the literary world just might be the next step.

After all, reading it is easier than writing it according to Fred:  "I can't understand why a person will take a year to write a novel when he can easily buy one for a few dollars." (Fred Allen)

But can reading a book change your life?  The answer depends on the book and where you are at in your life.  Below are 20 reasons why reading Les Misérables could change your life.

1.    Raise your level of sophistication

Steeped in history, elevated language, and complex story lines, reading Les Misérables will broaden your literary, linguistic, and cultural experience.  Touted as one of the greatest novels ever written, reading Les Misérables will expand your horizons and elevate your sophistication (if for nothing else to say you've read a 1463 page work of French Literature).

2.    Increase your desire to be charitable

Many instances of charity exist within the novel.  Expression of charity in literature is not unique to Les Misérables, but the way that Victor Hugo weaves the intricacies of the characters is unique and makes the acts of charity displayed in the book much more powerful and moving.  The Bishop's charity towards Jean Valjean who saw himself as nothing better than a convict transforms Valjean into the person that the Bishop could see/foresee.  Repeatedly throughout the novel, Jean Valjean inspires us with his acts of charity and love for the outcast and downtrodden.  He goes into battlezones to save, he releases others of the debts to him, he takes care of those who were not his own.  Back to the bishop that helped change Valjean's life, we find not just acts of Charity but a life philosphy of charity exibited when the bishop surprises Jean Valjean when he declares his name without ever having met previously (you'll have to read the book to see what the Bishop said and how it affected Jean Valjean).

3.    Make you more aware of those in worse situations than your own

An incendiary section entitled "How Brother Becomes Father" details a well-off father and son glancing at two destitute, homeless, and very young brothers in a park.  The fat little son of the well-off father spits out the food he was munching on because he wasn't hungry anymore.  In fact, he begins to cry because he is full.  Seeing the poor homeless boys, and then ignoring them, the father instructs the son to throw his little pastry to the swans in the pond.  As soon as the father and son leave, the boys grab the pastry from the water and consume it.  Victor Hugo vividly paints detailed pictures of the distress of the unfortunate, and his story helps promote within the reader a desire to help the outcasts.  It is up to the read to act.

4.    Expand your geographical horizons

The premise of the story takes place in France with much of the story taking place in Paris.  Many buildings in France at the time of the story are still standing today.  Paris is a unique city and has retained a building style you would have seen over 100 years ago.  With so many old buildings preserved, many call what's going on "the museumfication of Paris".  Through the Novel Les Misérables, you'll become familiar with a different part of the world and a beautiful city, rich in history that is distinct from any other.

5.    Realize that family relationships are the most important and that forgetting a family member can be one of the worst crimes

Poor Jean Valjean becomes nearly forgotten after Cosette's marriage.  Seeing the situation from his perspective encourages all of us to remember our elders.  Most of us can probably identify someone in our life that hasn't heard from us in a while and is in need of a "hello."  Perhaps one of the most touching portions of the book revolves around this theme.

6.    Expand your vocabulary

What do laconic, haggard, cassock, fisticuffs, trappist, and Bourgeois mean?  Les Misérables will definitely expand your knowledge of both English and French vocabulary (or at least send you looking for a dictionary every once and a while).  Although not drastically life changing, the book does illustrate that the choice of words can move and inspire us. 

7.    Appreciate clean entertainment

The novel demonstrates that foul language or steamy scenes are not necessary to create a great work of art.  Extra time will need to be set aside to read a novel of this scope.  Watch a little less television to have time to read the book (the average person in a well-off nation watches somewhere between 2-4 hours of television a day).  Take that time to read a unique work, and you'll appreciate good entertainment that provokes thought and action.

8.    Appreciate meaningful entertainment

Not all entertainment is meaningful (albeit clean or vile).  How unfortunate it is to spend hours and hours (when you start to add it up) of television that doesn't leave you better off than when it found you.  Sure it may relax or help relieve stress, but so will exercise and Yoga.  A book that has had years of thought and planning go into it has a much better chance at providing meaning to you.

9.    Realize the good money can do

Jean Valjean showed that with money, he could give back to the community and greatly assist those in need.  He did not take much for himself, but gave freely to the beggar, and perhaps more importantly, created jobs and thus helped build the self respect of others.  

10.  Realize that the evil pursuit of money is destructive

The Thénardier family exemplifies the sneaky and the detestable in mankind.  The family tries to do all they can to cheat others to get ahead.  The family shoes how low and wretched people can become in evil pursuits.  In other words, the Thénardier family is the example of "don't do this."  Their family is broken apart, and they are miserable in perhaps all meanings of the word.

11.  Underscore the importance of giving people a second chance

Jean Valjean needed a second chance at life and the good bishop gave that chance to Jean Valjean.  As Jean Valjean is chased by Javert of the police, we wish Jean Valjean could be given a second chance by the law, and that punishment dealt by the system should be done with equity and care.  Time and time again, Jean Valjean gives others a second chance to the betterment of those around him.

12.  Discover that forgiveness changes lives

Jean Valjean was poor and despicable before he met the kind bishop.  He who stole from the bishop and was so graciously defended and forgiven by the bishop, was never the same afterward.  A metamorphosis occurred within Jean Valjean and he was given to God.  This spark, this illumination, was a pivot moment in Jean Valjean's life.  All were better off for it; the bishop did not fester holding a grudge for losing his candlesticks and Jean Valjean was forever changed for the better.

13.  Be more aware of your conscious

In the novel, a man that the authorities believed was Jean Valjean had been arrested and set on trial.  Jean Valjean (now called by a new name) has to decide whether turn himself in as the real Jean Valjean.  Along his trip to the trial, many opportunities present themselves that could deter Jean Valjean from making the long journey to the trail and on such short notice.  Nevertheless, he kept pressing forward, because he knew what was right.  As he saw he could do more to make it there, he did.

14.  Gain appreciation for freedom and liberty

The political unrest taking place within Paris during the time of the Novel is fascinating.  France had undergone drastic changes in leadership (monarchy, republic, imperial rule, etc.).  In the novel, some were loyal to the monarchy, others to the emperor, and others to the people and the republic.  Reading about the rabble that wanted liberty and would fight for liberty is stirring at the very least.  A love of country over one's own life make us look at our own commitments.

15.   Understand the importance of family

Jean Valjean hadn't known (or had forgotten) about what family was until he had to take care of Cosette.  Valjean needed family, and family gave him meaning.  He learned a knew kind of love, love for family.

16.   Living a life of charity with some mistakes is better than doing nothing and never making a mistake

Javert, of the police, lived his life trying to never break a rule.  He lived his life trying to punish those that made mistakes and felt he was working for the greater good.  Javert tried to obey to the letter the law of man.   He learned, a little late in life, that there is more to life than just obeying the laws of man.  There's more to be done, and a law of God to strive to adhere to.  Javert captures a glimpse of this when he truly begins to be affected by Jean Valjean's kindness.

17.   Encourage that from the depths of despair, a life can be saved

Many lives in the book are taken from the gutter and given a new start.  Jean Valjean, Cosette, and Marius are all examples.  Each had different struggles but with a little help, were able to pull through.

18.   Increase your accomplishments               

Definitely, reading such a long classic is an accomplishment.

19.   Increase your faith

Although you may not share the same religion, you can share the same faith and hope for a better world.  You can share a similar philosophy about life and respect for life no matter how lowly.  You can be the good personified in the great characters in the novel.  To believe in what is higher and nobler and see the good in others is a good place to start.

20.   Pull at your heart strings

The poor pitiful ending of the book may just have you in tears as you have come to feel for the characters in the book and wish the best for them.  The movies or play don't show the final ending of the book.  In fact, the abridged version cuts out the last few pages.  Some call the ending pitiful because of the reader's outpouring of pity at the situation.  Others might find it inspiring.  Either way you look at it, the ending of the book is very moving and you will be better person for having read it through.

Updated: 2009-01-14