Victor Hugo - Workers of the sea. Gift book bound in leather.

The novel, first published in 1866 and perceived by Hugo himself as the final part of a trilogy about a man's struggle with the forces of superstition opposing him (Notre Dame Cathedral), social injustice (Les Miserables) and, of course, destructive natural elements (respectively, "Workers of the Sea"), is one of the most fascinating the works of the great writer, which is still being read with unflagging interest.

The old shipowner Letieri is facing ruin - a thieving captain, trying to hide his crimes, drove his steamer Duranda onto the reefs. The beautiful Derushetta, Lettieri's niece, in desperation promises to marry someone who will save at least the steam engine of the ship. And then the young fisherman Gilyat, secretly in love with her, goes on a dangerous expedition, not yet knowing that he will have to grapple there with a nightmare much scarier than rocks and storms...