Toilers of the Sea

Toilers of the Sea by Victor Hugo is a novel set on the island of Guernsey and tells the story of Gilliatt, a solitary and resilient fisherman. When a steamship owned by the father of his beloved, Deruchette, becomes stranded on dangerous rocks, Gilliatt volunteers to recover its valuable engine in hopes of winning her hand in marriage.

Facing treacherous seas, isolation, and deadly sea creatures, Gilliatt succeeds through sheer will and ingenuity. However, upon returning, he learns that Deruchette loves another man. Accepting this, Gilliatt quietly steps aside and sacrifices his own happiness.

The novel explores themes of human endurance, love, fate, and man versus nature, showcasing Hugo's fascination with the sea's beauty and cruelty.