Scan barcode
dyno8426's review against another edition
3.0
While the story of Quasimodo's natural misfortune and his subsequent devotion to a gypsy dancer as the only salvation from condemnation by humanity carries the essence of the classic 17th century fairy tale of 'The Beauty and the Beast' - "there is more to a person than meets the eye" - I liked it for the Gothic impression that it leaves, as it full of those contrasty hues to ethereal light and horrifying darknesses that pervade humanity through time. And owing to this nature, the story is a tragedy with a goosebump-giving ending, where a lot happens in the last few pages.
There is the fact that the story is set in medieval Paris (15th century), which is historically and culturally classified as the Gothic period prior to Renaissance. France during that time was under the reign of Charles the XI and the society in Paris during those times has those grim features (festering poverty, delinquent and aggressive common population, vain and wasteful monarchy, and a common public mentality ridden with irrationality and superstition) which symbolise the instability and deterioration which was succeeded by times of enlightenment and revolution that we are very well aware of. These images come to readers as times passing under darkness at the ever-spreading city of Paris. Hugo writes the narrative in a very historical and political manner as well, full of satire and sarcasm.
Both the major and minor featuring characters display that possession of passion and impulses which in right amounts is romantic and idolatry, but in excess, are terrifying and devastating. In fact, this feeling of terror and feeling of relief which follows the pressure thereafter are what Gothic literature and this example of it very well displays. The internal psychological turmoil and the extremities of feelings that characters in this story display are conceptions of human mind, while having the form of an almost supernatural involvement in their expressions, like the angelic beauty and lightness in form of Esmeralda (his prisoner), while the demonic pursuit and ghostly seclusion of Claude Frollo (his patron). The hunched-back and one-eyed form of Quasimodo brings to life myths of monsters, but the intensity of his devotion to his patron and his prisoner are extremely selfless and pure like God.
The grandness of this human expression of feeling is also symbolised through a strong emphasis on architecture of Paris during that time. In fact, there is a very elaborate and elegant chapter on architecture as human's attempts to communicate and survive through eternity. The grand cathedral of Notre-Dame is one of the central medieval artefacts which rule the story here. The bulk of its grandeur and its everlasting masonry is supposed to symbolise the pervasiveness of human mind and its tribute to religion. The other parts are very Paris specific though and require a lot of French context which I did not possess, e.g. an extensively long chapter on the civic layout of Paris during that time. Though a characteristic of this period was the invention of the printing press and the conception of printed medium for expression. The emergence of this highly accessible and public medium took away the exclusivity and monumental capacity that architecture demanded in those times. The demise of this medieval art-form gave birth to a more universal and more persistent recording of human minds and social times. In a way, history's own way of saying that paper beat rock.
There is the fact that the story is set in medieval Paris (15th century), which is historically and culturally classified as the Gothic period prior to Renaissance. France during that time was under the reign of Charles the XI and the society in Paris during those times has those grim features (festering poverty, delinquent and aggressive common population, vain and wasteful monarchy, and a common public mentality ridden with irrationality and superstition) which symbolise the instability and deterioration which was succeeded by times of enlightenment and revolution that we are very well aware of. These images come to readers as times passing under darkness at the ever-spreading city of Paris. Hugo writes the narrative in a very historical and political manner as well, full of satire and sarcasm.
Both the major and minor featuring characters display that possession of passion and impulses which in right amounts is romantic and idolatry, but in excess, are terrifying and devastating. In fact, this feeling of terror and feeling of relief which follows the pressure thereafter are what Gothic literature and this example of it very well displays. The internal psychological turmoil and the extremities of feelings that characters in this story display are conceptions of human mind, while having the form of an almost supernatural involvement in their expressions, like the angelic beauty and lightness in form of Esmeralda (his prisoner), while the demonic pursuit and ghostly seclusion of Claude Frollo (his patron). The hunched-back and one-eyed form of Quasimodo brings to life myths of monsters, but the intensity of his devotion to his patron and his prisoner are extremely selfless and pure like God.
The grandness of this human expression of feeling is also symbolised through a strong emphasis on architecture of Paris during that time. In fact, there is a very elaborate and elegant chapter on architecture as human's attempts to communicate and survive through eternity. The grand cathedral of Notre-Dame is one of the central medieval artefacts which rule the story here. The bulk of its grandeur and its everlasting masonry is supposed to symbolise the pervasiveness of human mind and its tribute to religion. The other parts are very Paris specific though and require a lot of French context which I did not possess, e.g. an extensively long chapter on the civic layout of Paris during that time. Though a characteristic of this period was the invention of the printing press and the conception of printed medium for expression. The emergence of this highly accessible and public medium took away the exclusivity and monumental capacity that architecture demanded in those times. The demise of this medieval art-form gave birth to a more universal and more persistent recording of human minds and social times. In a way, history's own way of saying that paper beat rock.
elysehdez19's review against another edition
4.0
Considero que es una gran novela romántica ( desde un sentido más literario) no solo abarca la historia de un jorobado enamorado de la hermosa gitana, Victor Hugo, en cada una de sus paginas logro plasmar tintes historicos, crueles y conmovedoras experiencias, personajes muy bien estructurados y además tuvo una gran forma de expresar la libertad y la justicia.
Por ultimo, nada que ver con la adaptación de Disney... Viví engañada 21 años
Por ultimo, nada que ver con la adaptación de Disney... Viví engañada 21 años
faithtrustpixiedust's review against another edition
4.0
Is it bad I kinda like the Disney adaptation more?
I buddy read this with Nana, though it was a reread for her.
The Writing
I really don’t understand why I’m perpetually surprised when classics read like regular books. Maybe it’s simply because they’ve been lauded and put up on this pedestal, so they have to be so different. But no, they follow the same schemes of style as every other book, just with slightly more archaic language and unabashed use of the word “ejactulated” when describing someone speaking abruptly. Regardless, this was all-in-all a solid novel. It took you through many different characters and their lives in true Hugo fashion, touching on almost every aspect of society. It also, in true Hugo fashion, ends with a lot of deaths, but what was I really expecting?
Honestly, the only thing that really bothered me was those overly long interludes solely about irrelevant historical facts. They didn’t add anything to the story, and when they did (if ever) become relevant, they were simply reiterated. I understand that this novel helped encourage historical architectural preservation (and basically saved Notre Dame itself; oof Hugo must be rolling in his grave after the fire
I buddy read this with Nana, though it was a reread for her.
The Writing
I really don’t understand why I’m perpetually surprised when classics read like regular books. Maybe it’s simply because they’ve been lauded and put up on this pedestal, so they have to be so different. But no, they follow the same schemes of style as every other book, just with slightly more archaic language and unabashed use of the word “ejactulated” when describing someone speaking abruptly. Regardless, this was all-in-all a solid novel. It took you through many different characters and their lives in true Hugo fashion, touching on almost every aspect of society. It also, in true Hugo fashion, ends with a lot of deaths, but what was I really expecting?
Honestly, the only thing that really bothered me was those overly long interludes solely about irrelevant historical facts. They didn’t add anything to the story, and when they did (if ever) become relevant, they were simply reiterated. I understand that this novel helped encourage historical architectural preservation (and basically saved Notre Dame itself; oof Hugo must be rolling in his grave after the fire
mionnechan's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
notter's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kantz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jeneenhiller's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
jason_l_thomas's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
The importance of this book cannot be understated especially when it comes to modern practices of historical preservation and the question of who or what will tell our story to future generations. Yet, instead of the original story of Quasimodo being one filled with adventure showcasing the importance of Notre Dame as a historical sight, Hugo’s writing often reads more like a text book with hundreds of pages being dedicated to telling the history of Paris and Notre Dame (this happens all throughout the book breaking up some rather fine pacing). These teachings are interesting, but take away from the novel’s themes and tragedy. Before reading one must understand that this is not similar to the Disney version in many, many ways, this story will leave you feeling horribly sad. Yet the theme is painted still quite clearly and creates much for thought.