The Works of Victor Hugo; 19 Volume Set

5RR Victor Hugo, Paris, ca. 1890. In French

Notes

The Works of Victor Hugo reflect his extraordinary range as a writer, encompassing novels, poetry, drama, and essays that explore themes of justice, love, morality, and the human spirit. Hugo’s most famous works are included in this collection, including Les Misérables (1862), a sweeping tale of redemption and social injustice, and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame (1831), which highlights the beauty of Parisian architecture while delving into themes of love, sacrifice, and prejudice. His plays, like Hernani, were key in ushering in the Romantic movement in French theater, while his poetry, such as Les Contemplations, reveals deeply personal reflections on life, grief, and faith.

Victor Hugo (1802–1885) was not only a towering literary figure but also a prominent political thinker and human rights advocate. Born in France during the Napoleonic era, his early life and works were influenced by the tension between monarchy and republicanism. Hugo’s political exile (1851–1870), due to his opposition to Napoleon III’s regime, profoundly shaped his later writings. While in exile, he wrote much of Les Misérables, using the novel to critique societal inequality and oppression.

Hugo’s life experiences—his passion for justice, his personal tragedies (including the death of his daughter Léopoldine), and his political activism—infuse his works with depth and humanity. His literature often combines grand historical settings with intimate portrayals of human struggles, making his works timeless explorations of the human condition.

Description

All 19 volumes have Green pebble leather boards with brown leather spines. Four raised bands with gilt embossed detailing in the first and fifth compartment and gilt lettering on the second, third, and fourth compartments on the first, second, and seventeenth volumes. The rest of the volumes have gilt embossed detailing in the first, fourth, and fifth compartments and lettering in the second and third. All have marbled endpapers and  illustrations throughout. General browning to the interior pages. Some minimal sun fading to a few of the spines. Most volumes feature some bumping to the corners as well. Fine condition overall.