Set in medieval Paris, Victor Hugo's powerful historical romance The Hunchback of Notre Dame has resonated with succeeding generations ever since its initial publication in 1837. It tells the story of the beautiful gypsy Esmeralda, condemned as a witch by the tormented archdeacon Claude Frollo, who lusts after her. Quasimodo, the deformed bell ringer of Notre Dame Cathedral, having fallen in love with the kindhearted Esmeralda, tries to save her by hiding her in the cathedral's tower. When a crowd of Parisian peasants, misunderstanding Quasimodo's motives, attacks the church in an attempt to liberate her, the story ends in tragedy. An epic tale of beauty and sadness, The Hunchback of Notre Dame portrays the sufferings of humanity with compassion and power.
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"I absolutely loved The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. I decided I wanted to read it after I read many of the Grimm's Fairy Tales that disney turned into movies. Many of those stories have been drastically changed, and I was curious on how Disney adapted The Hunchback into a children's movie. The whole book was a complete surprise. It's not appropriate for children at all, but that wasn't that surprising part. The thing that I found most interesting is how Disney changed all the characters to fit into our definition of what a good person is. The main character (Esmerelda) is more or less the same in the movie, however all the other characters are way messed up. In both the story and the movie, the main love interest is a soldier named Phoebus. He is in both accounts insanely hot. Unfortunately in the book he is a complete jerk, and ultimately causes the death of the heroin. The only really good guy in the book is the deformed hunchback named Quasimodo. Disney however, couldn't stand to have the beautiful heroin get together with an insanely ugly person, so he changed Phoebus to the hero and let Esmerelda choose to be with him. I think it says very interesting things about what we value as a culture and what we subconsciously teach our kids is important."
— Hollie (5 out of 5 stars)
" Para citar a uno de los personajes: "La moraleja de esta historia es que las tentaciones de la carne son siempre perniciosas y malignas". "
— Cynthia, 2/5/2014" Victor Hugo has a way of conveying the most delicate and profound sentiments to the reader so that he/she not only relates to the character but also experiences every merriment, woe, transcendence and defeat as if it was his/her own. Hugo is a master of intricate description and the face 19th century French romanticism. The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a sinister and despondent effigy of the times. This story of stories has no happy ending, rather, the complex tragedies become further pronounced with every turn of the page. "
— Megan, 2/2/2014" I can't believe this is a Disney movie *shakes head in amazement* "
— LifeisWrite2196, 1/30/2014" I really enjoyed the book. Hugo is a man of details and does an amazing job of portraying love/passion/relationships. I do not need everything to be flowers and butterflies to be satisfied, and I can see why he wrote it the way he did, but I can't help but be left a little empty at the ending of the book. Overall, a fantastic novel. "
— Grant, 1/18/2014" Excellent book. Very tragic. I tried to read this book teen years ago and didn't have the patience with the words. Now I an able to enjoy these books. "
— Wedwabbit, 1/16/2014" Too bad Disney mis-lead little minds about this story. Victor Hugo has much more to say in the real thing! "
— Connie, 1/3/2014" With this book, it was a love and hate relationship for me. Took me several attempts to get past the lengthy pages of architectural descriptions, and it wasn't until page 250 that the real story started. And after the emotional ride, to find it to have a sad ending, was a bit disappointing. "
— Ali, 12/29/2013" Although it was a little slow going, I finally got this book read, I didn't really like the wording of this book, not the story, the story was beautiful. I'm sure the wording is because of the time it was written. Quasimodo is brought up by a Priest Frollo, leaving his pursuit of science and philosophy meanders to a path of unrelenting lust for the gypsy dancer Esmeralda. I loved the characters and vivid descriptions of 13th century Paris. Very interesting book. "
— Sherrie, 11/30/2013" The story-line was great, yet at times the descriptions were very pompous and extensive. "
— Shaylah, 11/29/2013" One of my all time favorites. An absolute classic. I bought this book on a whim years ago and from the first page it had me enchanted. The Prologue that Hugo wrote, with the narrator finding the word carved into the wall of Notre Dame had me entranced. Then as the story blossomed into the complex, heart-wrenching tale that it is...it took my breath away. The tormented passion that Frollo feels for Esmeralda, the selfishness of Phoebus...and our dear, deaf Quasimodo. The complexities of the characters are so deeply rooted in the story. I was honestly hypnotized and stunned that a book so old could still touch me so deeply. "
— Anna, 11/26/2013" Personally, I thought this book was really dry and I didn't really like it as much as I was expecting :/ oh well. "
— Drew, 11/22/2013" took me a couple tries to get past the beginning. the disney movie was horrible! "
— Catherine, 11/10/2013" Is there anything to say? Almost everyone knew this thanks for cartoons and films. "
— Arun, 11/4/2013" 5 stars/ One The best! You will can not get much more from any other Author..... "
— Kelly, 10/21/2013" I thought that the end would be more tragic. "
— Sarah, 10/9/2013" This book broke my heart--so sad and beautiful--I'm glad I finally got around to reading it! "
— Kandis, 8/24/2013" Pretty cool, but I didn't enjoy the fact that everyone was trying to take advantage of poor Esmerelda. Every character was a tragic figure, destined to be unhappy in one way or another. "
— Sam, 8/21/2013" This was a fantastic read. I adore Victor Hugo's style of writing, it flows, it enthralls, it bewitches. I cried with the characters, I laughed, and lost my temper with them. A real page turner. Will read this book many more times in the years to come! "
— Kathy, 4/19/2013" Mmmm...definitely not my favorite classic to date. Terrible balance betweeen the plot and waxing philosophical about all things Parisian, and then some... "
— Lauri, 2/20/2013" I remember fervent love for this book but the beauty part is that I can't remember exactly why. So a joy to dig in again and, hopefully, catch that same flame. "
— Kate, 2/9/2013" Another Victor Hugo masterpiece that I've read at least 5 times. Magnificent! "
— Jbrockley, 10/13/2012" Wonderful! Love this book! No movie adaptation has ever done this justice. I may read this again sometime soon. "
— Mrs.Fawnda, 3/4/2012" This is a classic. I did enjoy reading it, however at times it did get a little draggy. "
— Elijah, 12/2/2011" favorite book in the world, frist reall book i read by my self:) sooooo good "
— Brenna, 9/19/2011" extremely descriptive using contempory comparisons, which doesn't help with the meanings "
— Gillian, 5/24/2011" 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" Some heavy-handed excerpts on architecture and Paris, otherwise an unredemptive tale with a tarantino-esque ending. "
— Nureyev25, 11/3/2010" WHOAAAAAA it is one of the best books that I have ever read........... "
— Jamunjii, 2/17/2010" Excellent tale. Cannot understand why I have not read it before. Oh well, so it goes. "
— Lysergius, 1/30/2010" I have grown up with this story, but it is really quite different than I thought. Were there a tale of misplaced trust, and character flaws, this is it. If you expect the joy of Disney, venture not near this book. If you want a great, well written tale, albeit a black tale, read on. "
— Rob, 8/28/2009" I found this novel hysterical. The gypsies who fake their injuries, the deaf judge. The only part about it that I found predictable was Esmeralda's mother. Which I won't say anymore about because I'd hate to ruin it for someone. "
— Valerie, 3/30/2008" cannot. bring. myself. to. finish. this. book. "
— Taylor, 8/26/2004" Took me way too long to read this- broken up by lots of short flights. Anyway, wow, not what I was expecting, but definitely born from Hans and Bug. I wish I'd read this 25 years ago. "
— Mikey, 8/31/2002" Not at all what I expected, but a good tale of tragic love. "
— Tom, 12/1/2001" This book is fairly depressing and does not have a happy ending, but I loved it in spite of that. The characters are fascinating, the plot was well-developed and I loved the way it was written. I didn't have high expectations but I really enjoyed this book. "
— Janette, 5/28/2000Victor 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.
David Case was a distinguished narrator who recorded over 700 audiobooks, was nominated for a Grammy Award, and received numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards for his narrations. AudioFile magazine named him a Golden Voice.