The Last Day of a Condemned Man - (Dover Literature: Literary Fiction) by Victor Hugo (Paperback)

About the Book

In this profoundly moving classic by the author of Les Misérables, a condemned man facing the guillotine looks back on his life and writes of his anguish inside prison walls.

Book Synopsis

"Before hearing my death sentence I was aware that my lungs breathed, that my heart beat, and that my body lived in the community of other men; now, I plainly saw that a barrier had sprung up between them and me. Nothing was the same as before." The imprisoned narrator of this profoundly moving novel awaits execution -- and waits, and waits. Although his guilt is undeniable, his essential humanity emerges as he struggles with the certainty of impending death.
Victor Hugo's impassioned early work carries the same power and universality as Les Misérables. A vocal opponent to the barbarity of the guillotine, Hugo attempted to arouse compassion in the service of justice. This tale distills his beliefs and offers a highly significant contribution to the ongoing debate over the death penalty. A new Foreword by activist David Dow examines the message and relevance of Hugo's story to modern society.

About the Author

French poet, playwright, novelist, and activist, Victor Hugo is best known as the author of Les Miserables and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. A leader of the French Romantic movement, he was one of the most prolific authors in history and his career reflects a turning point in French literature.