How does one determine and summarize the plot of Victor Hugo's Les Misérables?

Jean Valjean, after spending nineteen years in jail and in the galleys for stealing a loaf of bread and for several attempts to escape, is finally released, but his past keeps haunting him. At Digne, he is repeatedly refused shelter for the night. Only the saintly bishop, Monseigneur Myriel, welcomes him. Valjean repays his host's hospitality by stealing his silverware. When the police bring him back, the bishop protects his errant guest by pretending that the silverware is a gift. With a pious lie, he convinces them that the convict has promised to reform. After one more theft, Jean Valjean does indeed repent. Under the name of M. Madeleine he starts a factory and brings prosperity to the town of Montreuil. Then he met Fantine, a worker in his factory who has an illegitimate daughter who’s she have left in the care of Thenardier. Fantine soon turned into a prostitute and was caught by a inspector Javert, but through the help of M. Madeleine, she was send out of jail. She catches a fever, however, and her health deteriorates dangerously. Death is imminent and M. Madeleine promises to bring her daughter, Cosette, to her.

One night, Madeleine have faced a serious problem that he have to confess his true identity as Jean Valjean. After his confession, he was been arrested by Javert in front of Fantine who is suffering and this shocking event causes the death of Fantine. Valjean have escaped and people believe that he have died because of drowning. He was then reached Montfermeil where Cosette, daughter of Fantine, lives. He saves Cosette and takes her away from the guardianship of Thenardier.

In Paris, he lives like a recluse in a dilapidated tenement, the Gorbeau House, in an outlying district. In spite of his precautions, however, Javert manages to track him down. Valjean is forced to flee abruptly. After a hectic chase and imminent capture, he finds a miraculous refuge in a convent. With the cooperation of the gardener, Fauchelevent, a man whose life he has saved in the past, Valjean persuades the prioress to take him on as assistant gardener and to enroll Cosette as a pupil. Valjean and Cosette spend several happy years in the isolation of the convent.

Marius Pontmercy is a young man who lives with his wealthy grandfather, M. Gillenormand. One day, Marius sees Cosette at a public park. It is love at first sight, but the protective Valjean does his utmost to prevent Cosette and Marius from ever meeting. After Valjean leaves, Thénardier announces a plan to rob Valjean when he returns. Alarmed, Marius alerts the local police inspector, who turns out to be Javert. The ambush is foiled and the Thénardiers are arrested, but Valjean escapes before Javert can identify him.