When was the novel Les Misérables by Victor Hugo published?
The first two volumes of Les Misérables were released in Brussels on the 30th or the 31st of March 1862. The remaining volumes appeared in Paris on the 15th of May 1862.
Questions about Les Misérables
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What real events inspired the character Jean Valjean in Les Misérables?
Jean Valjean draws loosely from Eugène François Vidocq who saved a worker by lifting a heavy cart on his shoulders in 1828. This incident mirrors Valjean rescuing a sailor on the Orion ship and Hugo used Baron La Roncière's letter for the description.
How many words are in the original French version of Les Misérables?
The novel contains 655,478 words in its original French version. It is divided into five volumes each containing several books and subdivided into chapters with 48 books and 365 chapters in total.
Who served as the model for Bishop Myriel in Les Misérables?
Hugo used Bienvenu de Miollis as the model for Bishop Myriel. Miollis served as Bishop of Digne between 1753 and 1843 during the time Valjean encounters him.
When was the first English translation of Les Misérables published?
Charles E. Wilbour released the first English translation through Carleton Publishing Company in June 1862. The first volume became available for purchase beginning the 7th of June 1862.