Les Misérables

American  

[ley mee-zey-ra-bl^uh] / leɪ mi zeɪˈra blə /

noun

1. a novel (1862) by Victor Hugo.

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Les Misérables Cultural  

1. (1862) A novel by Victor Hugo. The central character, Jean Valjean, is sentenced to prison for stealing a single loaf of bread. Later, seeking respectability, Valjean is hounded by his archenemy, Inspector Javert.

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The broad canvas of Hugo's novel has been adapted for numerous films and a long-running Broadway (see also Broadway) musical (usually known as Les Miz).

Example Sentences

The case has sparked public outcry in South Korea, with labour unions comparing the worker to Jean Valjean, the protagonist of French classic novel "Les Miserables" jailed for stealing bread to feed his siblings.

From Barron's

Its original songs frequently paid homage to music from the late 20th century or musicals from that era like “Les Misérables.”

From Los Angeles Times

The case has sparked public outcry in South Korea, with labour unions comparing the worker to Jean Valjean, protagonist of French classic novel "Les Miserables" who is jailed for stealing bread to feed his siblings.

From Barron's

It’s 90 minutes before curtain on the opening night of “Les Misérables” at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre.

From Los Angeles Times

The late Herbert Kretzmer, who wrote the English libretto for Les Misérables, felt he was not given enough credit for transforming the original French musical into the hugely popular English-language version, letters have revealed.

From BBC