As a person who adores the productions of LES MISERABLES as well as a lover of graphic novels, this graphic novel of LES MISREABLES captured my attention immediately. Victor Hugo's age old and infamous words are transformed in a new light with TszMei Lee's art. It is done in manga style design in both art and print (it reads right to left in the traditional manga way) adding an interesting layer of culture to the novel. The artwork itself shines just as strongly as Hugo's words do. The characters are beautiful, emotional, and moving, and their facial expressions form those nuances perfectly.

I was extremely pleased to find that what typically haunts me the most in productions also haunted me the most in this novel: Fantine's journey. TszMei Lee romanticizes none of what Fantine goes through in the artwork. The pain, the growing sense of hopelessness, and the burning desire to keep her child safe and happy will find no hardship in making readers emotional and more than a little teary.

Overall, I would recommend this to anyone who loves anything LES MISERABLES, whether it is the soundtrack, film, play, or book. It also makes an excellent start into the LES MISERABLES world for someone who knows nothing about it. Victor Hugo probably never dreamed of having his work as a graphic novel, but he and TszMei Lee make an unlikely but top notch pair.

Book Summary