Les Miserables a personal development book? For me the answer is a resounding yes. In fact, the book was transformational as I read it from the perspective of learning lessons of personal change. The lessons learned from this book could (and have) filled up volumes. I had seen the play and the movie, but only recently did I sit down and read the entire unabridged version of this magnificent book. I read it like a self help book, and the lessons I learned were remarkable.
Summary
I don't need to spend much time summarizing the well known story. Simply put, it is the story of the journey of Jean Valjean from prison, to loneliness, to giving love, to receiving love, to a noble, redeemed man. Surrounded by fully developed characters, Valjean travels a path which can open our eyes to the nobleness of the human spirit and the futility of cruel judgment.
10 Powerful Personal Development Lessons from Les Miserables
The book causes my spirits to soar to a place where redemption is both possible and real. The story of the destitute Jean Valjean, who has no friends, no family, and no hope, and then transforms into a man of love and fulfillment, is a story which makes me soul believe I can be redeemed from my mistakes and difficulties. Perhaps hope is one of the greatest human virtues. A hope that the struggles of today can be transformed into the joy of tomorrow. Les Miserables carries that hope.
2) The power that one person can have in another person's life.
The priest's good deed changes Jean Valjean forever. Valjean pulls Cosette out of destitution. Cosette gives Marius a reason to live. The principle taught is the ability of one person to transform another. Who do I have the opportunity and ability to transform? Do I get stuck in my own selfish life and ignore the very people who could most use my help? It would have been so easy for the priest to let Valjean suffer forever. He didn't need to offer his help. But that offer of help impacted many lives. I can look for the same opportunities, even in small ways.
3) People can change, a quest for justice can blind us to the person inside and what they can become.
Javert lived by two simple creeds. Justice must be done, and once a criminal always a criminal. He was noble in his own way, honest to his values. However, his values led him astray. How often do we make the same mistake? When someone has wronged us do we throw ourselves on a quest for justice, or plant in our mind the idea that this person will never change? It's so easy to have an unquenchable thirst for punishment for those who have done wrong, but what a waste of energy. I learn from the poor example of Javert the power of seeing people not only as they are, but as they can become.
4) The greatness of the human spirit
The human spirit is truly noble and resilient. Perhaps this is just another version of the power of redemption, but to see Cosette and Valjean both be forgotten by society, only to find each other and find new lives together leads me to think of the power we have in our spirit. They are literally alone, there is no one who cares for either of them. Yet finding love in each other brings them to a state of joy and contentment in life neither thought possible. The human soul can recover from, and achieve anything, and this book reminds me of that power.
5) There are key moments where our resolve to change is tested.
Due to the charity of the priest, Jean Valjean becomes a changed man. He employs hundreds of workers, serves as mayor, and is a genuinely good and compassionate man. Suddenly, an opportunity arrives for him to be clear and free forever. Another man is accused of being the criminal Jean Valjean. This tests him like nothing ever has. Is he truly changed when difficulty arrives? His character is put through the refiners fire. This happens to me, and you, as well. We make a change, make progress, and feel like we are on our way. Then a challenge hits us. That moment, that very moment, is when we decide to truly change, or to go back to former weakness. Those are the moments which define greatness. We must recognize them, and live up to them with integrity.
6) Love for another can give us a mission and save our life
Valjean had improved his life, made good decisions, and was on the way to a life of goodness. He was truly transformed when Cosette was brought into his life. Perhaps we could say this completed his transformation. "To love another person is to see the face of God." When Valjean found someone else to live for, his life and mission were truly complete. It is through love, relationships, and other people that I can find the most ennobling and satisfying life.
7) There are those who are truly forgotten.
There are those in our society who really are pushed aside and forgotten. It's easy to forget this as I struggle with my own difficulties. Seeking out these people and finding a way to help may be one of lives greatest missions.
8) Don't be afraid of a challenge.
The unabridged version of Les Miserables is not an easy read. 1,500 pages long, complete with every detail of the Paris sewer system. Hugo likes to use details, and he uses them liberally. There are a high number of characters which are not easy to keep track of. There were several times when my reading pace slowed to a crawl. There were times I was tempted to watch the play again and call it good. But when I read the last paragraph, and felt the entire transformation of Jean Valjean, I knew I had been changed. Had I given up in the face of the challenge I would have missed out on a powerful experience. Don't be afraid of a challenge, in fact often it makes sense to seek out a challenge and find out what you can learn from it.
9) Real courage comes from helping another. Nothing else can lead us to such great heights.
There is a point in the book where Javert is chasing Valjean, who has recently rescued Cosette and has her in tow. Valjean reaches a dead end and seems to have no options for escape. He simply cannot bear the thought of losing Cosette after saving her, so he uses nearly superhuman courage and strength to climb into a convent. Real courage and strength come when we are living for someone else. Valjean likely would not have had the courage to escape where it just his own life he were trying to save. Real courage is shown by a father diving into a river to save his child, or a single mother sacrificing all to give her children a better life. Truly, deeply, intimately loving someone can take show us new heights of courage.
10) Choose books wisely, because reading can be transformational
There is nothing wrong with reading a book simply for enjoyment. But reading this book led me to see the incredible power which can be in the pages of a truly powerful book. It's a lesson I will remember as I select books in the future. A book which brings me hope, ennobles my spirit, and makes me contemplate the opportunity to be redeemed is an experience not to be forgotten. Select your next read carefully.
Should you read it?
Les Miserables is not an easy book, as already mentioned. It takes a large time commitment to get through, and there are some passages which you will find dull (unless your interest in the details of the Paris sewer system is high). However, it is one of the finest books ever written, and is worth the effort and time commitment. When you finish this book, you will feel like you have accomplished something. Try reading it from the perspective of personal development, and you will surely pick up important insights. However, if your intent is to increase your knowledge of personal development I would probably start with several other books before using this as a resource. If you want a great novel that will stretch your heart, pick Les Miserables up and commit to it.
Personal Development Score - 86 (Much higher rating as a novel however)
Javert lived by two simple creeds. Justice must be done, and once a criminal always a criminal. He was noble in his own way, honest to his values. However, his values led him astray. How often do we make the same mistake? When someone has wronged us do we throw ourselves on a quest for justice, or plant in our mind the idea that this person will never change? It's so easy to have an unquenchable thirst for punishment for those who have done wrong, but what a waste of energy. I learn from the poor example of Javert the power of seeing people not only as they are, but as they can become.
4) The greatness of the human spirit
The human spirit is truly noble and resilient. Perhaps this is just another version of the power of redemption, but to see Cosette and Valjean both be forgotten by society, only to find each other and find new lives together leads me to think of the power we have in our spirit. They are literally alone, there is no one who cares for either of them. Yet finding love in each other brings them to a state of joy and contentment in life neither thought possible. The human soul can recover from, and achieve anything, and this book reminds me of that power.
5) There are key moments where our resolve to change is tested.
Due to the charity of the priest, Jean Valjean becomes a changed man. He employs hundreds of workers, serves as mayor, and is a genuinely good and compassionate man. Suddenly, an opportunity arrives for him to be clear and free forever. Another man is accused of being the criminal Jean Valjean. This tests him like nothing ever has. Is he truly changed when difficulty arrives? His character is put through the refiners fire. This happens to me, and you, as well. We make a change, make progress, and feel like we are on our way. Then a challenge hits us. That moment, that very moment, is when we decide to truly change, or to go back to former weakness. Those are the moments which define greatness. We must recognize them, and live up to them with integrity.
6) Love for another can give us a mission and save our life
Valjean had improved his life, made good decisions, and was on the way to a life of goodness. He was truly transformed when Cosette was brought into his life. Perhaps we could say this completed his transformation. "To love another person is to see the face of God." When Valjean found someone else to live for, his life and mission were truly complete. It is through love, relationships, and other people that I can find the most ennobling and satisfying life.
7) There are those who are truly forgotten.
There are those in our society who really are pushed aside and forgotten. It's easy to forget this as I struggle with my own difficulties. Seeking out these people and finding a way to help may be one of lives greatest missions.
8) Don't be afraid of a challenge.
The unabridged version of Les Miserables is not an easy read. 1,500 pages long, complete with every detail of the Paris sewer system. Hugo likes to use details, and he uses them liberally. There are a high number of characters which are not easy to keep track of. There were several times when my reading pace slowed to a crawl. There were times I was tempted to watch the play again and call it good. But when I read the last paragraph, and felt the entire transformation of Jean Valjean, I knew I had been changed. Had I given up in the face of the challenge I would have missed out on a powerful experience. Don't be afraid of a challenge, in fact often it makes sense to seek out a challenge and find out what you can learn from it.
9) Real courage comes from helping another. Nothing else can lead us to such great heights.
There is a point in the book where Javert is chasing Valjean, who has recently rescued Cosette and has her in tow. Valjean reaches a dead end and seems to have no options for escape. He simply cannot bear the thought of losing Cosette after saving her, so he uses nearly superhuman courage and strength to climb into a convent. Real courage and strength come when we are living for someone else. Valjean likely would not have had the courage to escape where it just his own life he were trying to save. Real courage is shown by a father diving into a river to save his child, or a single mother sacrificing all to give her children a better life. Truly, deeply, intimately loving someone can take show us new heights of courage.
10) Choose books wisely, because reading can be transformational
There is nothing wrong with reading a book simply for enjoyment. But reading this book led me to see the incredible power which can be in the pages of a truly powerful book. It's a lesson I will remember as I select books in the future. A book which brings me hope, ennobles my spirit, and makes me contemplate the opportunity to be redeemed is an experience not to be forgotten. Select your next read carefully.
Should you read it?
Les Miserables is not an easy book, as already mentioned. It takes a large time commitment to get through, and there are some passages which you will find dull (unless your interest in the details of the Paris sewer system is high). However, it is one of the finest books ever written, and is worth the effort and time commitment. When you finish this book, you will feel like you have accomplished something. Try reading it from the perspective of personal development, and you will surely pick up important insights. However, if your intent is to increase your knowledge of personal development I would probably start with several other books before using this as a resource. If you want a great novel that will stretch your heart, pick Les Miserables up and commit to it.
Personal Development Score - 86 (Much higher rating as a novel however)
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