opening of the book introduces Victor Hugo's early life, detailing significant aspects of his upbringing, such as his birth in Besançon and his relationships with his parents. Dupuy highlights the challenging health issues Hugo faced as a child, illustrating the emotional and practical support from his mother, which instilled in him a profound appreciation for maternal love. The text outlines his father's military background and discusses Hugo's early literary ambitions, including his first poetic attempts and the development of his distinctive style. Through this introduction, the narrative sets the stage for a deeper exploration of Hugo's literary evolution and his eventual acclaim and influence in French literature. (This is an automatically generated summary.)