H is for Hugo . . . and Hope

I must admit — Les Misérables by Victor Hugo is my second favorite classic novel. Jane Eyre is my first.  I also need to admit that I’ve never read it (it’s on my list), but I’ve watched numerous film versions. And I see the thread of hope running through them all.
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• People can change.
• Good can come from evil.
• The bad guys don’t win in the end. (Well, maybe all except the Thénardiers - I wish they would disappear. They kept showing up like a bad penny.)

Obviously, an author writes from his own worldview. He can’t help it. So, when I discovered Hugo’s quotes, that became clear. I also found the word HOPE in these quotes. No, you may not see the word, but each one reveals an element of hope.

If you are familiar with the story, you will see many similarities between the quotes and the work:

-What a grand thing, to be loved! What a grander thing still, to love!

-The pupil dilates in darkness and in the end finds light, just as the soul dilates in misfortune and in the end finds God.

-Adversity makes men, and prosperity makes monsters.

-A faith is a necessity to a man. Woe to him who believes in nothing.

-Those who do not weep, do not see.

-It is on December nights, with the thermometer at zero, that we most think of the sun.

-The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved -- loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves.

-Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.

-To love another person is to see the face of God.

-Laughter is sunshine, it chases winter from the human face.

-Certain thoughts are prayers. There are moments when, whatever be the attitude of the body, the soul is on its knees.

For more quotes by Hugo, please see the (former) Byars sisters blog, "Writing Sisters" here and here. Their posts are short and sweet...just as I wish mine would be!

Which quote (Hugo's or your own) would you consider to be the glasses through which you see the world?

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So, why am I talking about HOPE and Victor Hugo?

Because that’s the theme of my debut historical fiction The Heart Changer. HOPE. When all is crumbling around you, there is HOPE. Even when you don’t know the future, there is HOPE. When all is taken from you, and all that’s left is God, there’s HOPE.

Christians around the world are celebrating Holy Week, beginning with hopefulness, moving on to hopelessness, and ending with the ultimate hope on Easter Sunday: the Resurrection. Because He lives, we can live! The Lord Jesus Christ is the ultimate life-changing hope.

Don't forget!

• I'll be hosting a book signing at our local teashop TeaLula on Sunday, April 28th from 2 to 4pm. If you live in the Chicago area, stop by! I'll have a reading, answer questions, sign books, and have a drawing for three gift baskets.
• If you have already purchased The Heart Changer, click on THIS LINK to receive a download of Miriam's theme song, "In the Desert" written and performed by my good friend, Denise Spaargaren.
• And MOST importantly, I would dearly appreciate an honest Amazon review of my book, as close to April 26th as possible. Reviews are an author's best friend! Especially the day of the debut book's launch. If you have an account on Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, Christianbook or BookBub, please leave a review there as well. It's easy - just copy and paste!

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Thank you!! Now I'd like you to tell me what gives YOU hope? Where do you need HOPE the most? Let me know below in the comments. . .