Victor Hugo's profound novella, 'The Last Day of a Condemned Man,' offers a harrowing first-person account of a man condemned to death, reflecting on his past life and contemplating his inevitable end. Published in 1829, this powerful work serves as a fervent anti-capital punishment polemic, immersing the reader in the psychological torment and existential dread experienced during the final hours. Hugo masterfully portrays the protagonist's stream of consciousness, exploring themes of justice, human dignity, and the sheer terror of oblivion. It's a gripping, visceral examination of a universal human experience under extraordinary circumstances.