If given the chance to change a book’s ending, I would definitely choose Les Misérables by Victor Hugo. I read it after finishing The Count of Monte Cristo, so my expectations were very high.

The main themes in Count Monte Cristo were revenge, and in Les Misérables, social injustice, among other themes in both books.

The ending of Monte Cristo was satisfying for its portrayal of revenge, transformation, and ultimate forgiveness.

Les Misérables had a bitter taste at the end. Jean Valjean also underwent a transformation and received some justice, but it was too late; he died. He died a death that, how should I call it, ridiculous. He literally died of a broken heart.

Cosette, the little girl he raised and the only person he regarded as family and loved devotedly, married. A misunderstanding with Cosette’s husband strained Jean Valjean’s ties to Cosette. Losing Cosette broke his heart.

What dissatisfies me is not Jean Valjean’s death, but the manner of it; I would give him a more heroic death.

But hey, who am I to compare myself to Victor Hugo? Anyway, it was today’s question, so I answered it.