
A level 1 Oxford Bookworms Library graded reader. This version includes an audio book: listen to the story as you read.Retold for Learners of English by Jennifer Bassett.France, 1815. Jean Valjean leaves prison after nineteen years. These are dangerous and troubled times, and life is hard. Valjean must begin a new life, but how can he escape his past, and his enemy, Inspector Javert? This story for Bookworms is loosely based on the famous novel Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, one of France's greatest writers. The novel was written in 1862, and the story has been retold many times - in a musical, in plays for radio and theatre, and in more than fifty films for television and cinema.
After nineteen years of imprisonment, Jean Valjean struggles to forge a new existence while being relentlessly pursued by the uncompromising Inspector Javert. Valjean seeks redemption and a quiet life in a volatile 19th-century France, but his criminal record and the persistent suspicion of the law threaten his survival. The narrative follows his attempts to outrun his past, navigating a world defined by social inequality and rigid moral codes. This adaptation utilizes a simplified narrative framework designed to maintain the core conflict of the original work while ensuring accessibility for language learners.
Discussion often centers on the effectiveness of this adaptation in introducing foundational literary themes to non-native speakers. Readers frequently highlight the balance between maintaining the emotional weight of the original story and the necessity of simplified syntax. The pacing is noted for being brisk, allowing students to engage with the plot without becoming overwhelmed by complex sentence structures. Educators often recommend this version as a primary entry point for those interested in classic literature who require a controlled linguistic environment to build reading confidence.
Page Count:
56
Publication Date:
2015-03-05
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0194630889
ISBN-13:
9780194630887
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