Man Who Laughs

Victor Hugo's scathing indictment of the injustice and inequality within Britain's political system tells a story of Gwynplaine, the two-year-old heir to a rebel lord, who is abducted, then abandoned. Years later he is re-introduced to the aristocratic life, and resolves to become the voice of the voiceless, whether he is heard or not. Victor Hugo’s scathing indictment of the injustice and inequality within Britain’s political system tells a story of abduction, mutilation, loss and prejudice. The narrative follows Gwynplaine, the two-year-old heir to a rebel lord, who is abducted upon the orders of a vindictive monarch, who has him mutilated (to produce a permanent, grisly smile), then abandoned. After years of living frugally he is re-introduced to the aristocratic life, and resolves to become the voice of the voiceless, whether he is heard or not.