The title caught me right away. Anything having to do with Les Miserables is something I am interested in. As an avid fan of the Broadway musical, and now the more recent movie, I know this story inside out. I also know that what attracts me so much to Victor Hugo’s masterpiece is that at its core it is about sin, love and redemption. Those elements are what causes our lives to mirror those in Les Miserables.
Author Bob Welch, states so simply that he did not seek to analyze the book as an expert might, but that he wanted to answer a question. Not a question that had anything to do with France during the time period in which Les Miserables takes place, but the simple question of… “What can it say to me where I am right now?”
Interesting thought.
One of my favorite lessons was Lesson Number 36: Jesus’ Life was Revolutionary Stuff. In this lesson, the author explains that Jesus was not just some “nice guy”. He was a revolutionary. Someone who rejected how the world dealt with life, as well as someone who would much rather spend his time with those who were considered “less than” or les miserables. Welch goes on to compare the Bishop of Digne from the store to Jesus because of the mercy and compassion shown to others. I would have to agree. Honestly, the Bishop in ways is such a small part of at least the musical and the movie. Some people never even mention him, yet he is an integral part of the main character’s story. Without the mercy and compassion shown to Valjean, the story would have ended differently. Jesus does the same for us. His mercy and compassion allows us to chart a new course. To correct our ways. To be free. Much like the freedom shown to Valjean.
52 Little Lessons from Les Miserables is a book I will frequently re-read. This is a book that I will treasure because it not only speaks about something I truly love, Les Miserables, but also embraces my faith and belief that there are lessons for us to find everywhere. Even in a classic book.
Bob Welch is the author of seventeen books, an award-winning columnist, a speaker, and an adjunct professor of journalism at the University of Oregon in Eugene. His articles have been published in inspirational books, including the popular “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series.
Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
