Victor Hugo, the great French writer, is discussed in this podcast. Topics include his commitment to the less fortunate, politics, publishing, and his eccentric personality. The episode also delves into the publishing journey of Les Misérables, reception, and criticism of his work.
Victor Hugo was a multifaceted individual with a passion for literature and social justice activism.
His personal life was marked by relationships, tragic losses, and political exile.
Victor Hugo's 'Les Misérables' addressed moral themes and societal injustices through complex characters.
'Les Mis' achieved commercial success despite initial harsh criticism, becoming a moral juggernaut.
Deep dives
Victor Hugo's Early Life and Literary Prowess
Victor Hugo's early life was marked by his unique parents, his father a Napoleon general and his mother a southern French immigrant. Despite their lack of artistic talent, Hugo developed a strong passion for literature and liberty. His first literary success at a young age led to a growing reputation as a literary genius.
Personal Life and Tragic Losses
Victor Hugo's personal life was tumultuous, marked by multiple relationships and tragic losses. He married Adele at a young age and had five children, facing the sorrow of losing two of them, including his beloved daughter whose death inspired his famous poem 'Tomorrow at Dawn.'
Political Engagement and Opposition to Louis Napoleon Bonaparte
In his mid-40s, Victor Hugo ventured into politics, advocating for social justice, universal suffrage, free education, and the abolition of the death penalty. His passionate speeches opposing Louis Napoleon's authoritarian rule led him to flee France for Belgium after urging citizens to rise against Bonaparte.
Fluctuating Relationships and Political Exile
Throughout his life, Victor Hugo navigated complex relationships, including two wives and a long-term mistress. His opposition to Louis Napoleon's regime resulted in political exile, fleeing to Belgium to escape repercussions for encouraging resistance against the ruling authority.
Victor Hugo's Life in Exile and Political Activism
Victor Hugo, a French political asylum seeker, resided on the British island of Guernsey to evade French tyranny. He fiercely criticized Louis Napoleon Bonaparte and advocated for political refugees scattered across Europe. Despite the dictatorship's fall, Hugo returned to France a national figure and ran for the Third Republic.
Albert LaCroix's Bold Publishing Venture with 'Les Misérables'
Alfred LaCroix, a 28-year-old Belgian publisher, secured the rights to publish 'Les Misérables' for 3.8 million francs without even reading it. The novel faced harsh criticism from French literati but was adored by the public, selling out 6,000 copies in Paris on release day. The bold publicity campaign and international launch made 'Les Mis' a commercial and moral juggernaut.
Themes and Impact of 'Les Misérables'
Victor Hugo's 'Les Misérables' explores complex moral themes through characters like Jean Valjean and Javert. The duality of characters and systems of justice reflect Hugo's critique of societal injustices. Hugo's iconic quotes 'To love another person is to see the face of God' and 'I think, therefore I doubt' epitomize the novel's powerful messages and enduring impact.
Who was Victor Hugo, and why was he so cool? In this podcast episode about Les Misérables and it's creator, Grant shares the fun loving life of the great French writer, Victor Hugo. Part history podcast, part lifestyle guide, Hugo helped define and describe the era he lived through. We learn about the writing of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame and the writers commitment to the less fortunate, both in fiction and reality. Party tricks, politics, and publishing defined the life of a man who dreamed a dream of time to come!
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