About the Book

The Man Who Laughs is a novel by Victor Hugo, originally published in April 1869 under the French title L'Homme qui rit. It takes place in England beginning in 1690 and extends into the early 18th century reign of Queen Anne. It depicts England's royalty and aristocracy of the time as cruel and power-hungry.

Main Themes and Characters

Gwynplaine is the embodiment of the people; he represents all those who are oppressed by the powerful and can do nothing about it.

Background

Hugo began to write The Man Who Laughs when he had already been living in exile for 16 years.