Book excerpt: A new 2023 translation into American English from the original French manuscripts of Victor Hugo's classic 1823 Hans of Iceland (Han d'Islande) Hans of Iceland weaves the story of a vengeful outlaw named Han who seeks revenge on society. This novel is one of the foundational stories of the Romantic era, and is Hugo's first novel. The novel was widely read and admired by the French literary establishment at the time and served as a starting point for Hugo's long and influential literary career. The book's themes lay the foundation of the themes of his life's work- of alienation, revenge, and societal injustice.