Last Day of a Condemned Man

Before hearing my death sentence I was aware that my lungs breathed that my heart beat and that my body lived in the community of other men; now I plainly saw that a barrier had sprung up between them and me. Nothing was the same as before. The imprisoned narrator of this profoundly moving novel awaits execution -- and waits and waits. Although his guilt is undeniable his essential humanity emerges as he struggles with the certainty of impending death.<br>Victor Hugo's impassioned early work carries the same power and universality as <i>Les </i><i>Misérables.</i> A vocal opponent to the barbarity of the guillotine Hugo attempted to arouse compassion in the service of justice. This tale distills his beliefs and offers a highly significant contribution to the ongoing debate over the death penalty. A new Foreword by activist David Dow examines the message and relevance of Hugo's story to modern society.