Les Miserables (abridged for children & young adults). The story is told in 50 pages. This book also contains a passage (in English) from the original work to give readers a glimpse into Hugo's poetical style. Also included are four story-based poems.

An abridged version of the classic book, les Miserable by Victor Hugo -- especially written with young adults and children in mind. (Also, any adult looking for a very brief retelling of les Miserable or looking to refresh their memory of the story will find this abridged version helpful.) The story is re-told in fewer than 50 pages. The prose in this abridged version is written to mimic the style of Hugo. This is done, in part, by borrowing actual phraseology from the original work. This abridged version also includes my favorite passage from Les Miserables, a chapter early in the book which I re-print in full. It is perhaps the most memorable passage I have ever read. The entire chapter is an allegory (an extended metaphor). (Remember metaphors -- writing one thing as a representation of something else. Here are two examples: Kisses are the flowers of affection. The snow is a white blanket.) In this fully reprinted chapter from les Miserables, author Victor Hugo uses the sea as the centerpiece for an extended metaphor about how society in France in the 1800s treats convicted criminals. The chapter is entitled BILLOWS AND SHADOWS. I include this chapter -- which is brief -- to give the reader a real taste of Victor Hugo's beautiful writing. This abridged version includes two bonus items: four original poems based directly on passages from les Miserables (including "Man Overboard!" which is based on BILLOWS AND SHADOWS). Also included is a quiz to prompt discussion of the story.