Beginning in 1815 and culminating in the 1832 June Rebellion in Paris, Les Misérables follows the lives and interactions of several characters. The novel begins when Valjean is released from 19 years' imprisonment in the galleys; five for stealing bread to feed his sister's seven starving children and fourteen more for numerous escape attempts. The story follows his struggles and his experience of redemption.

Les Misérables contains various subplots, but the main thread is the story of ex-convict Jean Valjean, who becomes a force for good in the world but cannot escape his criminal past. The novel as a whole is one of the longest ever written. It is divided into five volumes, each volume divided into several books, and subdivided into chapters, for a total of 48 books and 365 chapters. Each chapter is relatively short, commonly no longer than a few pages. Examining the nature of law and grace, the novel elaborates upon the history of France, the architecture and urban design of Paris, politics, moral philosophy, antimonarchism, justice, religion, and the types and nature of romantic and familial love. Les Misérables is considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century.

This case laminate collector's edition includes a Victorian inspired dust-jacket.