This series plunges into the dark corners of 17th-century French aristocracy and society. It follows the tragic journey of a disfigured young nobleman, transformed into a jester after a cruel abduction. Despite regaining his rights, he remains forever marked by his past, unable to fulfill his aspirations. The novels explore themes of oppression, social injustice, love, and the nature of evil, offering profound reflections on human existence and societal hierarchies.
Victor Hugo's writing is some of the best and most beautiful ever produced; this anonymous translation of his hard-to-find The Man Who Laughs shows Hugo's wonderful use of language to tell a heartbreaking story. While it is not as well known as Les Miserable or The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Man Who Laughs remains a classic story worth reading.