Hugo's novel has over the years been the subject of a huge number of adaptations, for stage, screen and comic-strip (bande dessinée). Recently an apocryphal sequel has been produced (François Céresa's Cosette or the Time of Illusions), much to the consternation of the writer's descendants. Most famously Les Misérables has been adapted for the stage in the wildly successful musical version (The Musical that swept the World') by Alain Boublil and Claude- Michel Schönberg with lyrics by Herbert Kretzner.
Besides following the broad outlines of Hugo's narrative, the music and lyrics of the adaptation brilliantly capture the youthfulness, the colour and revolutionary fervour of Hugo's original. In particular the barricade scene, drawing from Delacroix as well as Hugo, provides an unforgettable theatrical experience.