The Toilers of the Sea (French: Les Travailleurs de la Mer) is a novel by Victor Hugo, first published in 1866. Set on the rugged coast of the Channel Islands, the story follows the struggles of Gilliatt, a solitary fisherman, as he battles both the forces of nature and personal hardships. Gilliatt embarks on an epic quest to salvage a wrecked ship’s engine in order to win the hand of his love, Déruchette, who is being courted by a wealthier suitor. The novel combines elements of adventure, romance, and existential struggle, with Hugo’s trademark focus on man’s relationship with nature and society.