In this 1865 classic novel, a minor thief tries to bury his past and become a respectable town mayor, but the police inspector won't let him. Name the novel and the author.

Victor Hugo's monumental work, first published in 1862, vividly portrays the struggles of ex-convict Jean Valjean in 19th-century France. The novel introduces Valjean after serving a lengthy prison sentence, primarily for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his starving sister's child. Upon his release, marked by a yellow passport branding him a former criminal, he encounters kindness from a bishop that profoundly changes his life, inspiring him to seek redemption and live honorably.

Valjean transforms himself, adopting a new identity as Monsieur Madeleine, a prosperous factory owner and eventually the respected mayor of Montreuil-sur-Mer. However, his past relentlessly pursues him in the form of Inspector Javert, a police officer obsessed with upholding the letter of the law. Javert, convinced that a criminal can never truly change, dedicates his life to unmasking Valjean and returning him to prison. This cat-and-mouse chase forms the central conflict, exploring profound questions about justice, mercy, and the possibility of human transformation.

The novel is far more than a simple chase story; it is a sweeping social commentary on poverty, injustice, and the moral dilemmas faced by individuals in a tumultuous society. Hugo, a prominent figure in French literature, infused the narrative with his strong humanitarian ideals and observations of the social stratification and political unrest of his time. The enduring popularity of this classic, including its numerous adaptations for stage and screen, speaks to its timeless themes and unforgettable characters.