Smiling Man - World Literature Library

Author: Hugo
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: This is a long novel written by Hugo in 1869. The novel is set in the British society of the late 17th and early 18th centuries, specifically from the reign of King James II to the reign of his daughter, Queen Anne. Through the tragic experiences of Gwynplaine, Hugo reflects the sharp conflict between the two opposing classes at the time: the vast majority of the people lived a life of poverty and hardship, while a small group of aristocrats lived in extreme luxury and moral corruption. Hugo used rich historical documents to vividly depict the unequal social landscape of Britain at the time, exposing the hypocrisy and ugliness of the ruling class. It is worth reading. This book is a rather typical romantic novel, with a strong legendary flavor and an engaging storyline. At the beginning, readers are taken to the desolate coast of England, troubled by a child abandoned by a pickpocket and threatened with death, from which point the legendary life of the protagonist begins. He is the son of a noble who supported the republic during the British bourgeoisie revolution. During the restoration period, he was betrayed by the king to child traffickers and underwent disfiguring surgery, becoming a deformed jester. He finally escaped the shadow of death and drifted into the streets, earning a living by performing.
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