Jacqueline Laffont, avocate pénaliste au service de la défense 1/5 : Du Cambodge au prétoire

Les Misérables is a profound novel that delves into the lives of several characters, particularly Jean Valjean, an ex-convict who seeks redemption after being treated with kindness by a bishop. The novel critiques the social injustices of 19th-century France, including poverty, extreme social inequality, and a harsh prison system. It weaves historical events, such as the June Rebellion of 1832, into the narrative and emphasizes the importance of love, compassion, and the inherent dignity of all people.

Published in 1942, 'L'étranger' follows Meursault, a man who lives in Algiers and is characterized by his emotional detachment and indifference to societal norms. The novel is divided into two parts, the first detailing Meursault's life before he kills an unnamed Arab man, and the second exploring the aftermath of this event. The story delves into themes of existentialism, the absurdity of human existence, and the tensions between French colonizers and native Algerians. Camus's writing style, marked by its sparse and detached nature, emphasizes the existential outlook on life and the meaningless universe that Meursault inhabits.

The novel follows Jane Eyre from her childhood at Gateshead Hall, where she is mistreated by her aunt and cousins, to her education at Lowood School, and later her employment as a governess at Thornfield Hall. There, she falls in love with her enigmatic employer, Edward Fairfax Rochester, but discovers a dark secret about his past that forces her to make a difficult choice. The novel explores themes of love, independence, and social justice, and is known for its realistic portrayal of the inner life of a woman during the Victorian era.