In the beginning of the novel, Jean Valjean has just finished serving time in the French prison system for stealing food to feed his family. After wandering the streets, he meets a bishop who offers him a place to stay. The next morning, the bishop catches him stealing candles but lets him go. Inspired by the bishop's love, Valjean promises to himself that he will become a better man, a force for good in pre-revolutionary France. Years later, Valjean has worked his way into a respectable position both economically and socially, and he has kept his promise to do good. A dying, homeless prostitute asks him to look after her child, Cosette, and Valjean agrees. However, it soon comes to light that Valjean is an unregistered convict, and a manhunt ensues, led by Valjean's former friend, Javert. As Valjean and Cosette try to stay one step ahead of Javert, they settle down in an out-of-the-way town, where Cosette falls in love with Marius, a revolutionary. With the revolution and Javert at his doorstep, Valjean faces the most difficult decisions of his life. Read more about the story here.
Through all of this story's incarnations (movies, musicals, abridged versions, etc), the message stays the same: men can change, and we must allow them to. Valjean makes many mistakes in the course of the book, but he is treated with grace and mercy, and he consequently treats others with grace and mercy. Essentially, he lives the prayer, "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors."
I love the concept of forgiveness and how it is inextricably related to love. Love is really the answer to most of life's problems. We all just need a little more love, both to give and to receive. Les Miserables presents this love in a compelling, exciting way.
There is a little piece of the story of Les Mis in each of us. It is a timeless classic.
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