Play Audiobook Sample
The Hunchback of Notre Dame Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(3.00) - 56,774 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
Publisher Description
Set amid the riot, intrigue, and pageantry of medieval Paris, Victor Hugo’s masterful tale of heroism and adventure has been a perennial favorite since its first publication in 1831. It is the story of Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer of the Notre Dame Cathedral, who falls in love with the beautiful gypsy Esmeralda, who shows him kindness when no one else will. However, Esmeralda’s heart lies with someone else.
When she is condemned as a witch by Claude Frollo, the tormented archdeacon who lusts after her, Quasimodo attempts to save her—but his intentions are misunderstood. Written with a profound sense of tragic irony, Hugo’s powerful historical romance remains one of the most thrilling stories of all time. It is a stunning example of the author’s brilliant imagination.
Download and start listening now!
"If your only basis for understanding the story of the Hunchback is the Disney version, be prepared to confront a rude awakening. Disney's been taking the teeth out of fairy tales and stories for longer than my generation has been alive. They make stories safe, they make monsters bearable; you know there will be a happily ever after. It's Disney. Hugo's story is dark and twisted, and one has to endure long passages waxing poetic about the architecture and the construction of the city unrelated to the story. It's like contending with thick bits of gristle to get to the meaty story beneath, but once done, it is well worth it. There is a lot of Latin phrasing, and in the DailyLit.com version, not all of it is translated, so keep your internet handy. There were times when it felt draggy, but the romance and tragedy were not trivialized and the conclusion was sad, but fitting and fulfilling. I'm not entirely sure where in the story it happened, but I became enthralled with the story and I was happy that I hadn't been reading my emails in a timely fashion, so I had several to burn through at once. I enjoyed it, but I don't think I need to take up room on my shelf with the dead tree version. A digital copy will work just fine. (And it's free...)"
— Theresa (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
-
“Victor Hugo writes The Hunchback Of Notre Dame in 1831. The cathedral, by this point, is in a state of neglect and disrepair, still recovering from the French Revolution just a few decades earlier. And he really wants to be, basically, a celebrity advocate for Gothic preservation. And he really wants this architecture to be restored for future generations…The book is enormously popular. People really thrill to the story of Quasimodo as, you know, this bell ringer who lives in the in the tower but is also a metaphor for the tower itself. The story is deeply human, and there is a major restoration effort that takes place after the book’s publication.”
— NPR
Awards
-
A #1 Amazon.com bestseller in France in April 2019
The Hunchback of Notre Dame Listener Reviews
-
" It was for the first time that I read an author describing the architecture of a city coupled with the city's history and it absolutely got me hooked onto architecture. However I did not like the way the story was built up, maybe it was a famous book at the time and the writing must have appealed to the masses more then due to its writing style, but it did not do the same trick for me. "
— Vaibhav, 2/18/2014 -
" I was amazed by Victor Hugo' style. This story is captivated me as a kid, thanks to the Disney's version, now, all grown I decided to read it. This is not definitely Disney's version, the atmosphere settled in the story is quite dark and cruel, I guess this story is full of cruelness. The characters are like a gift box, you don't know what it's inside. There was a point where I felt sorry for some of the characters(Esmeralda and Frollo) and I must say, Disney's Frollo is more evil than in the book. Amazing amazing amazing, I highly recommend it "
— Andi, 1/22/2014 -
" Too bad Disney mis-lead little minds about this story. Victor Hugo has much more to say in the real thing! "
— Connie, 1/17/2014 -
" Marvelous prose detracted by the melodramatic story line to the modern reader "
— Ross, 1/14/2014 -
" The book is way different from the movies. Hugo is a master story teller. "
— Sher, 1/8/2014 -
" Easily one of the best books I have read in a long time. "
— Cheyenne, 12/17/2013 -
" Disney, has corrupted this book. "
— Sean, 11/29/2013 -
" Fantastic book. The ending was gorgeously sad. In case that scares anyone off, let me assure you - the cute little goat lives. :D "
— Garnet, 11/25/2013 -
" Nothing like a good classic to perk the senses "
— Diana, 10/25/2013 -
" The story started off slow and tedious -- Hugo took his time introducing his characters. I was bored. About halfway thru the action really picked up and I was hooked, so the boring parts were all worth it. "
— Bonnie, 10/14/2013 -
" Much more tragic than the Disney remake would lead one to believe. "
— Lucia, 9/8/2013 -
" Good book with strong characters and a good ending. I found the lengthy detail of the architecture of Paris through the ages a little long winded but overall really enjoyable "
— Conor, 6/7/2013 -
" Too bad no one is reading Hugo anymore, this is one of my all time favourites. "
— grebrim, 12/16/2012 -
" A touching tale of love and humanity the world has cherished for ages. Hugo is brilliant as he shows how light can be found even in this cruel and dark world if we have the heart to embrace it. "
— Tess, 2/15/2012 -
" There were some parts that my eyes would just glaze over and I would zone out, but all the other parts were beautiful. Definitely worth rereading! "
— Krissy, 1/17/2012 -
" E X C E L E N T E. "
— Pilar, 12/12/2011 -
" Although this doesn't compare to Les Miserables, Hugo can really tell a tale. The man seriously needed an editor. bookxray.blogspot.comt "
— Meredith, 10/26/2011 -
" Learned a lot about Paris and general culture of 18th century France "
— afsoonica!, 8/4/2011 -
" Heartbreaking. I'm sad Disney butchered this story. "
— Mercedes, 5/15/2011 -
" Tied as one of the three best books ever written! "
— Jefferson, 5/4/2011
About Victor Hugo
Victor Hugo (1802–1885) was a poet, novelist, dramatist, and leader of the romantic movement in France. He also played an active part in political life. His literary works best known in English include Les Misérables, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Ninety-Three.
About Frederick Davidson
Frederick Davidson (1932–2005), also known as David Case, was one of the most prolific readers in the audiobook industry, recording more than eight hundred audiobooks in his lifetime, including over two hundred for Blackstone Audio. Born in London, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and performed for many years in radio plays for the British Broadcasting Company before coming to America in 1976. He received AudioFile’s Golden Voice Award and numerous Earphones Awards and was nominated for a Grammy for his readings.