&quot;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.&quot; The imprisoned narrator of this profoundly moving novel awaits execution&mdash;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&#39;s impassioned early work carries the same power and universality as Les Mis&eacute;rables. 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&#39;s story to modern society.<br />&nbsp;