I was asked recently to name my favorite novel about justice.

My favorite novel about justice is Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. In the character of Jean Val jean Hugo shows how what society narrowly considers criminal behavior is often caused by impoverishment, hunger,  and desperation to which society has made insufficient address. I too believe that most “criminal” behavior has desperation, and the kinds may be varied, at its root. A truly just society would mean no one who is starving, or seeing those around her starving, would be punished for stealing bread.

Alice Walker

Today is the perfect time to read Victor Hugo.