Classics Illustrated: Les Miserables

Classics Illustrated No. 7:
Les Miserables
By Victor Hugo

I've never sat through or listened to a whole performance of the musical Les Miserables and I'm unlikely ever to do so. It all sounds too earnest with too much effort put in for something rather melodramatic. Obviously millions around the world feel differently. That's their choice.

The book on which it is based on the other hand is a different matter. Adventure fans will note it has a few key elements rather similar to The Count of Monte Christo. Socialists might comment on its characterisation of the choices forced upon people under dire circumstances.

It's that and more, and this old adaptation brought back into print recently by Classics Illustrated does a most noble and pretty damn good job of pulling it off successfully.

One night a former Jewish convict by the name of Jean Valjean breaks his parole and thereafter must go undercover; finding fortune, adopting an orphaned child, and forever attempting to stay one step ahead of Police Inspector Javert, all caught up in the constant developments and outcomes of the French revolution.

It's a tale of honour, love and quite frankly more than its fair share of despair. One wonders if today's governmental quangos on education would actually let such a book into a school (it might upset the poor dears); well let's face it if they can read this then that's brilliant and they'll start thinking of the greater possibilities available in their world if they put a little effort into things and refuse to accept the status quo. Sermon over.

This comic book adaptation captures an awful of the story within its pages, evocatively. Norman Nodel's art is bleak, well-rendered, and while possibly not automatically attractive on the eye to the young, they could end up finding it deeply moving.

Nodel's real name was Nochem Yeshaya. It is not surprising he began his career drawing military maps during World War II, thereafter he developed several different art styles and was known for his work illustrating many children's books and magazines. He apparently did several other adaptations for Classics Illustrated so readers can look forward to those too.

For more about Classic Illustrated titles from Classic Comic Store Ltd visit: www.classicsillustrated.co.uk