I got this manga adaptation of Hugo's classic novel at The Comic Store. While the story requires considerable abridgement to fit in a single (however hefty) manga, I was impressed at the amount of detail and characterization that was retained. Events are simplified for younger readers, but we still see the many heart-wrenching incidents suffered by the characters. Reformed convict Valjean, his nemesis the too-rigid Javert, the lost Fantine, naive Cosette and Marius, streetwise Eponine and Gavroche, ardent social-activist students - all are here, and many more.

I was pleased to find some manga-style bonus comics at the end, include some omake strips making gentle fun of the story: one features Valjean muttering about his convict number, and then wondering if he's got the digits wrong!

I do recommend the original novel, which adds many layers (and several lengthy digressions which, however informative, might have worked better as appendices!), but this book could be a good introduction to the classic.

[There are a number of screen adaptations of varying degrees of faithfulness to the original, and of course there's the blockbuster musical version as well. And the TV Tropes page on the book and its adaptations has many entertaining tidbits.]

I left this book near the mother-and-child statue in the park at around 4. (I was touched to find a bouquet there, left during a Vigil For Peace the previous day.)

Hope the finder enjoys the book!

*** Released in sympathy for the people of Paris after the tragic terrorist attack. ***

*** Released as part of the 2015 The 'The' release challenge. ***