The Man Who Laughs" (also translated as "By Order of the King")

 The Man Who Laughs" (also translated as "By Order of the King") is a novel by Victor Hugo, originally published in April 1869. The book is a dark romantic work, set in late 17th-century England, and combines elements of gothic fiction with a deep exploration of social injustice and the human condition.

The story begins with the tragic tale of a young boy named Gwynplaine, who is disfigured by a group of comprachicos — criminals who alter children's appearances to make them amusements for the rich. They carve his face into a permanent grin, which leads to his grotesque appearance. Abandoned on a winter's night, Gwynplaine rescues a blind baby girl, Dea, and they are taken in by the kind-hearted showman Ursus.

Gwynplaine grows up to become a popular stage performer due to his disfigurement, with audiences both horrified and amused by his grin. Despite his fame, he is haunted by his past and the nature of his existence. Dea and Gwynplaine develop a deep bond, with her blindness preventing her from seeing his disfigurement and allowing her to love him for his true self.

The novel takes a dramatic turn when Gwynplaine discovers that he is actually the son of a nobleman who was betrayed by King James II. His title and estates had been unjustly stripped from his family, leading to his father's death and his own mutilation. Gwynplaine is then restored to his rightful place in the House of Lords, but he finds the world of the aristocracy to be shallow and corrupt, a stark contrast to the honest life he led with Ursus and Dea.

Gwynplaine is torn between his love for Dea and his duties as a nobleman, as well as his desire to use his new position to speak out against the injustices he sees. Ultimately, Gwynplaine rejects his title and returns to Dea, only to find that the shock and stress of his experiences have taken a toll on her health.

The novel concludes with a poignant and tragic ending, as Gwynplaine decides to take his own life after finding that Dea has died. He throws himself into the sea, choosing to be reunited with her in death rather than live in a world filled with cruelty and hypocrisy.

"The Man Who Laughs" is a profound critique of social and political systems that create and perpetuate inequality and suffering. Hugo uses Gwynplaine's disfigurement as a symbol of the way society treats those who are different or disadvantaged.

The novel is a powerful indictment of a world that values appearance and status over genuine human connection and moral integrity. Hugo's rich storytelling and vivid characterizations make "The Man Who Laughs" a compelling read and a significant work in the canon of classic literature.

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