Q 01/05

Who wrote the novel Les Misérables?

A) Gustave Flaubert

B) Victor Hugo

C) Émile Zola

D) Alexandre Dumas

Answer · why

B) Victor Hugo

Flaubert hated the book, finding 'neither truth nor greatness' in it.

Q 02/05

In which year was the novel first published?

A) 1862

B) 1848

C) 1831

D) 1855

Answer · why

A) 1862

The first two volumes appeared in Brussels at the end of March and in Paris on 3 April; the rest followed on 15 May.

Q 03/05

What did Jean Valjean steal, earning him five years in prison that grew to nineteen?

A) A horse

B) A silver candlestick

C) A loaf of bread

D) A purse of coins

Answer · why

C) A loaf of bread

It was to feed his sister's seven starving children; four failed escape attempts added the extra years.

Q 04/05

What is Valjean's prisoner number in the musical?

A) 24601

B) 24061

C) 24160

D) 26401

Answer · why

A) 24601

The prologue with the number and Javert's parole speech was added for the English version; the French original had no prologue.

Q 05/05

Which cleric shelters Valjean and then lies to the police, saying the stolen silver was a gift?

A) The Archbishop of Paris

B) The Curé of Toulon

C) The Bishop of Digne

D) The Abbot of Montfermeil

Answer · why

C) The Bishop of Digne

Hugo modelled him on Bienvenu de Miollis, the real bishop of that town at the time.