Note 2: Any brief quotations (I have no intention of reproducing significant portions of the text here--for reasons of respecting copyright, and for practical use of space) are taken from Les Misérables by Victor Hugo, translated by Isabel F. Hapgood. This version can be found at the University of Virginia Library, Electronic Text Center and other sites; it has been chosen for this page primarily because it's publicly accessible. No profit is being made from these "annotating" pages.

Note 3: I've barely begun. As you can see, I've simply picked a starting point--not entirely at random--and will build from there. Additions and corrections are always welcome. Proper credit will be given, of course.

Note 3a: Arlene Harris has sent me some detailed info on the French incarceration systems of the time. I haven't yet been able to put this info onto this site, but in the meantime I would like to acknowledge her contribution.

Book Fifth: The Excellence of Misfortune
I. Marius Indigent
II. Marius Poor     new
III. Marius Grown Up   updated
IV. M. Mabeuf
V. Poverty a Good Neighbor for Misery
VI. The Substitute

Book Sixth: The Conjunction of Two Stars
I. The Sobriquet: Mode of Formation of Family Names
II. Lux Facta Est
III. Effect of the Spring
IV. Beginning of a Great Malady
V. Divers Claps of Thunder Fall on Ma'am Bougon
VI. Taken Prisoner     updated
VII. Adventures of the Letter U Delivered Over to Conjectures
VIII. The Veterans Themselves Can be Happy

Book Seventh: Patron-Minette
I. Mines and Miners
II. The Lowest Depths
III. Babet, Gueulemer, Claquesous, and Montparnasse
IV. Composition of the Troupe

Book Eighth: The Wicked Poor Man
I. Marius, While Seeking A Girl In a Bonnet...
II. Treasure Trove     new
III. Quadrifrons     new
VI. A Rose in Misery     new
VII. A Providential Peep-Hole
VI. The Wild Man in His Lair        new     updated
VII. Strategy and Tactics     new     updated
VIII. The Ray of Light in the Hovel
IX. Jondrette Comes Near Weeping     new
X: Tariff of Licensed Cabs: Two Francs an Hour     new    updated
XI. Offers of Service from Misery to Wretchedness
XII. The Use Made of M. Leblanc's Five-Franc Piece    new
XIII. Solus Cum Solo, in Loco Remoto, Non Cogitabuntur Orare Pater Noster    new     updated
XIV. In Which a Police Agent Bestows Two Fistfuls on a Lawyer    new
XV. Jondrette Makes His Purchases    new
XVI. In Which Will be Found the Words to an English Air Which Was in Fashion in 1832    new
XVII. The Use Made of Marius' Five-Franc Piece    new
XVIII. Marius' Two Chairs Form a Vis-a-Vis    new
XIX. Occupying One's Self with Obscure Depths    new