The show must go on

I've recently started reading Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, and found it surprisingly easy going, despite its 1200 pages. I must admit, though, that when reading about the lives of the wretched of 19th century France, my first thought isn't: this would make a cracking musical.

I haven't seen "Les Mis" on the stage, so can't pass comment on it. But so far Fantine has left her daughter with a family to live in child slavery while she has had both her front teeth removed, and her hair cut off, to pay for the child's upkeep. Now she has had to resort to prostitution to support herself and her growing drink habit. It's not exactly Salad Days.