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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
Oh my goodness! Where to begin... Overall, I really did enjoy this book- Hugo is such a gifted writer and I loved his descriptions about the Notre Dame cathedral, but the characters! Frollo is just as evil and creepy as the Disney movie version, but that's about where the similarities lay. As detestable as all the characters were (yes, even Esmerelda), I loved the story and the themes throughout the book.
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Yikes. I didn't know what I was signing up for when I invited people to join me in a buddy read of what is more commonly known as The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Part of me wishes to apologize even (we were all so excited and then it turned out the way it did). It started out good, funny even, and then it turned ugly really quickly. I don't know that there was one honorable male character in the whole book, but at least the pet goat didn't die, and we'll always have that. Was it a valuable reading experience? Yes. Will I ever pick it up again? Nope.
Really liked it. But the ending was NOT what I expected/
Now that I have finally read the book, I understand even less why Disney thought it would make a good animated family film. However, this is a classic for a reason and the writing was brilliant. I love that it is actually a work of historical fiction. Hugo's attempt to add his modern opinions on politics and aesthetics amused me. Glad I read it, glad I don't have to read it again.
I have tried to read this book several times in my life. I have liked Victor Hugo since reading the abridged Les Miserables for my sophomore English high school class. I liked that novel so much, that I purchased and read the unabridged story. My parents then gifted me with a hardcover edition that contained both an abridged version of Les Miserables and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. I never could get into Hunchback.
When I saw the book on audio, I was pleased that I would at least be able to listen to some of the book. Overall, in the end, I'm am glad that I did get through it some way, but I did not like the story and did not like the reading of it.
Ms. Christie may be very good at her acting, but I did not like her portrayal of the characters of this book. There were too many male characters that she did not distinguish the voices between. The only female character, La Esmeralda, only seemed to say "Oh" and "Phoebus," both in very breathy, irritating tones. I am hoping that an unabridged or less abridged versions have the only female character saying more than just those two words. I do know had I read it myself, the tones would have been less weak and irritating.
A friend reminded me to remember the book was written by a man several centuries ago. I understand that, but I don't remember Les Mis being like that. Maybe I was just more able to stomach weak, irritating females in high school than I am now as an adult.
I already gave my overall opinion. I don't think I would recommend this particular audio book. It's good to read "classics," and a reading of Hunchback is probably a good thing for a well-rounded reader. This audio book is not worth the pain of it. It only compounds the irritating plot to listen to it read poorly.
When I saw the book on audio, I was pleased that I would at least be able to listen to some of the book. Overall, in the end, I'm am glad that I did get through it some way, but I did not like the story and did not like the reading of it.
Ms. Christie may be very good at her acting, but I did not like her portrayal of the characters of this book. There were too many male characters that she did not distinguish the voices between. The only female character, La Esmeralda, only seemed to say "Oh" and "Phoebus," both in very breathy, irritating tones. I am hoping that an unabridged or less abridged versions have the only female character saying more than just those two words. I do know had I read it myself, the tones would have been less weak and irritating.
A friend reminded me to remember the book was written by a man several centuries ago. I understand that, but I don't remember Les Mis being like that. Maybe I was just more able to stomach weak, irritating females in high school than I am now as an adult.
I already gave my overall opinion. I don't think I would recommend this particular audio book. It's good to read "classics," and a reading of Hunchback is probably a good thing for a well-rounded reader. This audio book is not worth the pain of it. It only compounds the irritating plot to listen to it read poorly.
The way I feel about this book, I'm afraid, cannot be expressed in words. first of all ,Hugo's writing is simply beautiful!! while I won't deny that his long descriptions sometimes made me want to tear my hear out of my head , these descriptions are what gave the story its true essence . The author's words have the ability to make you really feel the character( quite literally ) brought to life within you and gives you the ability to sort of jump into its mind . The pictures he drew of Paris & of the Notre Dame were so beautiful ,so vivid that you could almost feel life stir within the walls of the city and see how it became an essential part of a story as a character rather than just a setting. Now about the characters : regarding the Frollos , I had no sympathy whatsoever for either brother . I loathed Jehan from the beginning and (I'm not gonna lie) rejoiced at his ultimate ending, as for his elder brother I understood the character's actions and where they were coming from but I just couldn't bring myself to sympathize with him. Now Phoebus , I can only say " Screw that dickhead may he rot in everlasting perdition!" I didn't want to admit it to myself but I knew that Esmeralda's blind obsession ( I can't call it love) with that idiot was going to be the thin line between the happy ending we craved and the sad one we got . But make no mistake , this is not to say that the ending was horrible . It was heart wrenching yes , but never in my life have I read such a magnificent , beautifully haunting death scene ! The way the mother desperately clung to her dear little Agnes so soon taken away from her after just being returned to her , how her child , so afraid of being hanged , of dying, begged her mother to save her which she did try to do until her very last breath though Alas! fruitlessly! & Imagining Esmeralda suffering horribly trying with all strength she had left to fight the noose around her neck, then imagining her limb body lifelessly swinging........I don't think this scene will ever be erased froy memory. As for Quasimodo , I don't know whether we can classify the ending he got as happy or sad but I imagine he got the peace he deserved at last. I was in love with how Hugo portrayed his character and its relationship with the NotreDame especially its Big Bells. Quasimodo's character , I found , was so wonderfully complex, he was aware if his deformity and the hate he got for it and didn't bother trying to kiss people's ass so that they would like him. & though gentle at heart , it didn't stop him from being cruel & brutish at times ( like with Jehan at the end) , which I liked since I don't enjoy one dimensional two goodie shoe heroes. Lastly I loved the picture the author drew of fifteenth century Paris society and people , monarchs and commoners alike , and the way he alluded to how everything was building Up to the French Revolution in the 18th century. Overall , this was by no means an easy read, but it was definitely worth it , and I can't wait to eventually reading what is considered to be Hugo's masterpiece 'Les Miserables"
4.5 stars rounding up to 5. I’ll be adding this one to my list of favorite classics. The only reason I took a 1/2 star off was for the on-going architecture and history portions. I felt not all were necessary. But all the other parts with the characters and plot were wonderful!