Who was Victor Hugo, and why was he so cool? In this podcast episode about Les Misérables and it's creator, Grant shares the fun loving life of the great French writer, Victor Hugo. Part history podcast, part lifestyle guide, Hugo helped define and describe the era he lived through. We learn about the writing of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame and the writers commitment to the less fortunate, both in fiction and reality. Party tricks, politics, and publishing defined the life of a man who dreamed a dream of time to come!

From political exile to literary superstar, Victor Hugo lived a life more dramatic than his own novels. This episode explores the man behind Les Misérables, revealing his radical politics, outrageous personal life, and the revolutionary way he published one of history's most beloved books. Buckle up for a ride through 19th-century France like you've never experienced before! We’ll unpack Hugo’s wild dinner-party “orange trick,” follow the wheelbarrow stampede for the novel’s first print run, and see how his fiery speeches still echo in today’s debates on censorship and social justice. Whether you’re a musical-theatre nerd, a history buff, or just here for the juicy gossip, this is Hugo as you’ve never heard him—unfiltered, unbuttoned, and unbelievably fun.

00:00:00 Catch-Up

00:18:45 Misérables

00:33:11 Saint or Sex Addict?

01:03:14 Hugo vs. Napoleon 2.0

01:15:37 Publishing Chaos

01:47:27 Morality & Misérables

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