Beginning in 1815 and culminating in the 1832 June Rebellion in Paris, the novel follows ex-convict Jean Valjean and his relentless pursuit by Inspector Javert. After Valjean reinvents his life by becoming a rich mill owner and mayor, he befriends the fatally ill Fantine, who had been callously fired from his mill. He promises to protect her daughter Cosette, who is in the care of the cruel, greedy Thénardi ...Full description
Beginning in 1815 and culminating in the 1832 June Rebellion in Paris, the novel follows ex-convict Jean Valjean and his relentless pursuit by Inspector Javert. After Valjean reinvents his life by becoming a rich mill owner and mayor, he befriends the fatally ill Fantine, who had been callously fired from his mill. He promises to protect her daughter Cosette, who is in the care of the cruel, greedy Thénardier family. Later, a grown-up Cosette falls in love with Marius, but both Javert and the Thénardiers intrude upon their lives. Although Valjean experiences redemption, he cannot escape his criminal past.