Tābestānī bā Hugo Persian 2025

The book A Summer with Hugo, written by Laura El Makki and Guillaume Gallienne and published in 2016, is based on a series of programs broadcast on France Inter during the summer of 2015. It is part of the A Summer with… series, which offers an immersive summer experience into the world of major literary figures, with this volume focusing on Victor Hugo. Laura El Makki served as producer and Guillaume Gallienne as host, and their collaboration resulted in a text that is both intimate and scholarly.

The book’s tone is engaging and accessible, providing readers with a clear view of Hugo’s life and works. Through a fluid narrative style, anecdotes, quotations, and personal reflections, the authors allow readers to discover or rediscover Hugo’s genius from a fresh perspective. Each chapter is short and focused on a specific aspect of his life or work, making it an enjoyable read. The book is organized into forty concise chapters, each devoted to a significant event or theme in Hugo’s life, designed to be read independently.

The authors highlight the contradictions and passions that drove Hugo: from monarchist to republican, committed poet and advocate for the oppressed, to a fervent supporter of secularism and civil liberties. His political engagement, opposition to the death penalty, exile, and lasting literary achievements are also emphasized. Key themes include freedom, social justice, resilience in the face of hardship, and political commitment. The authors show how Hugo used his pen to defend his ideals and how his personal life influenced his literary output.

While the book mainly features historical and literary figures, the authors incorporate their own experiences and perspectives, creating a lively dialogue between past and present. Critically, A Summer with Victor Hugo has been praised for making Hugo’s character understandable to a general audience. Readers appreciate the clarity of the writing, the richness of information, and the depth of analysis. The book serves as a lively and inspiring introduction to Hugo’s works, offering a fresh view of an author often considered remote or academic.

Ultimately, A Summer with Hugo invites readers to immerse themselves in the world of one of France’s greatest writers. Through engaging and accessible writing, Laura El Makki and Guillaume Gallienne reveal different facets of Hugo’s personality and works, while simultaneously providing opportunities for reflection on contemporary issues.