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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
Taking place in Paris in the late Middle Ages, this novel narrates a story of Quasimodo, the Archdeacon Claude Frollo, and the Gypsy Esmeralda. But the focus of the novel is always on the Cathedral of Notre-Dame; the title in French is Notre Dame de Paris, which I think fits much better. The novel is filled with some very detailed descriptions of the cathedral—its history and its majestic beauty—which forms the centerpiece of the action:
However, some of these descriptions are too long-winded. Those who've read Les Miserables know how Victor Hugo can get when he's excited to share all the research he's done on a topic: woe to you if you do not possess a deep interest in the Paris Sewer System, or the Battle of Waterloo. (He shares this trait with Jules Verne, who waxes at length about different species of fishes or types of rock) While I was vaguely interested in the Notre-Dame and the history of Medieval Paris in general, those parts tended to drag on. I initially got about a third of the way through the novel before putting it aside for a few weeks.
It was at this point that the infamous Notre-Dame Cathedral fire broke out. Flames ripped through the roof and spire; smoke could be seen blanketing the Paris sky. And a building that had stood for centuries appeared in danger of collapse. It was at that point that I went back and re-read, with newfound appreciation, the passages describing the cathedral. Hugo laments that,
We learn that the cathedral was in such a state of disrepair when Hugo's novel was written; it was in large part this novel which renewed interest in rebuilding and preserving it. The modern structure, including the aforementioned spire which was destroyed, is therefore a result of those 19th century repairs. This fact has become highly relevant in modern times, in discussions over how to rebuild the cathedral.
Quasimodo is the outcast, misformed bell-ringer who happily wanders through the cathedral he knows and loves more intimately than any man or woman. Hugo creates this enduring image of a "mysterious and preexisting harmony between this creature and this church." Equally iconic is the scheming, brooding Archdeacon Claude Frollo, who spends his life up in his chamber dabbling in alchemy and philosophy. His tormented but sinister pursuit of Esmeralda marks him out as the villain of this story. Yet he is also slightly sympathetic, and his adoption of Quasimodo which opens the novel to begin with is unquestionably praiseworthy. I appreciated this complex depiction of someone who is ultimately a terrible man; even the worst people have elements of good in them. Esmeralda is a likable though rather naive character; one criticism I have of Victor Hugo it's that his female characters are weak. The men drive the plot by doing things—things happen to the women. But compared to authors of his time, he's fairly moderate in this.
Despite these intriguing characters, the focus of the novel is always on the Notre-Dame de Paris. And thus it's a very relevant novel today, as the world mourns the destruction to the cathedral and France prepares to rebuild it. The cathedral has stood since the High Middle Ages; the stability and continuity it symbolize made this fire all the more shocking. But the truth is that Notre-Dame has been damaged, repaired, and modified many times in the past. We think of old monuments as relics of the century in which they were built, but the accidents and restorations they suffer are as much a part of them as anything—scars that show they've witnessed great events or great times. I think Hugo understood this, as he says,
"Each face, each stone of the venerable monument, is a page not only of the history of the country, but of the history of science and art as well."
However, some of these descriptions are too long-winded. Those who've read Les Miserables know how Victor Hugo can get when he's excited to share all the research he's done on a topic: woe to you if you do not possess a deep interest in the Paris Sewer System, or the Battle of Waterloo. (He shares this trait with Jules Verne, who waxes at length about different species of fishes or types of rock) While I was vaguely interested in the Notre-Dame and the history of Medieval Paris in general, those parts tended to drag on. I initially got about a third of the way through the novel before putting it aside for a few weeks.
It was at this point that the infamous Notre-Dame Cathedral fire broke out. Flames ripped through the roof and spire; smoke could be seen blanketing the Paris sky. And a building that had stood for centuries appeared in danger of collapse. It was at that point that I went back and re-read, with newfound appreciation, the passages describing the cathedral. Hugo laments that,
"it is difficult not to sigh, not to wax indignant, before the numberless degradation and mutilations which time and men have both caused the venerable monument to suffer...
We learn that the cathedral was in such a state of disrepair when Hugo's novel was written; it was in large part this novel which renewed interest in rebuilding and preserving it. The modern structure, including the aforementioned spire which was destroyed, is therefore a result of those 19th century repairs. This fact has become highly relevant in modern times, in discussions over how to rebuild the cathedral.
Quasimodo is the outcast, misformed bell-ringer who happily wanders through the cathedral he knows and loves more intimately than any man or woman. Hugo creates this enduring image of a "mysterious and preexisting harmony between this creature and this church." Equally iconic is the scheming, brooding Archdeacon Claude Frollo, who spends his life up in his chamber dabbling in alchemy and philosophy. His tormented but sinister pursuit of Esmeralda marks him out as the villain of this story. Yet he is also slightly sympathetic, and his adoption of Quasimodo which opens the novel to begin with is unquestionably praiseworthy. I appreciated this complex depiction of someone who is ultimately a terrible man; even the worst people have elements of good in them. Esmeralda is a likable though rather naive character; one criticism I have of Victor Hugo it's that his female characters are weak. The men drive the plot by doing things—things happen to the women. But compared to authors of his time, he's fairly moderate in this.
Despite these intriguing characters, the focus of the novel is always on the Notre-Dame de Paris. And thus it's a very relevant novel today, as the world mourns the destruction to the cathedral and France prepares to rebuild it. The cathedral has stood since the High Middle Ages; the stability and continuity it symbolize made this fire all the more shocking. But the truth is that Notre-Dame has been damaged, repaired, and modified many times in the past. We think of old monuments as relics of the century in which they were built, but the accidents and restorations they suffer are as much a part of them as anything—scars that show they've witnessed great events or great times. I think Hugo understood this, as he says,
"Each face, each stone of the venerable monument, is a page not only of the history of the country, but of the history of science and art as well."
I had to do a lot of side-reading to understand the historical context of the novel, so I learned a lot about French history and the Middle Ages. The story itself, being Romantic literature, was not really my thing; I prefer Realism and psychological depth to glossing over the details of the action and the presence of fantastical elements. It didn't move me, seeming more like a fairy tale than a human drama and the architectural discourses were heavy work. Still, I'm glad I read it so that I can put my other reading in a broader context.
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
The story might seem a bit old-fashioned, and overtly dramatic now, but the setting itself was enough to make it a gripping read. The pages and pages of description of the architecture, the transformation in architectural styles, and even the whole chapter on the 360 degree scenes from the Notre Dame Church's top, are quite fascinating.
Decided to read this one, while browsing through the old street bookstores on the road leading towards the Notre Dame church. Wanted to buy one from there, but all the copies I found there happened to be in French. But, the Thiruvananthapuram Public Library obliges, as always.
Decided to read this one, while browsing through the old street bookstores on the road leading towards the Notre Dame church. Wanted to buy one from there, but all the copies I found there happened to be in French. But, the Thiruvananthapuram Public Library obliges, as always.
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was amazing in its original French...ok in English. I don't know why, but reading the ending in French is just more beautiful!
I really wanted to like this book but I just couldn’t get into it. Maybe it’s because I had just finished the Count of Monte Cristo and that book is just so superb that anything that follows is awful? Maybe it was because the reader of the audiobook normal reading voice I found Irksome? He did a good job reading the dialogue but the narrative I didn’t like. I found myself being bored while listening to the book- maybe I will pick up an abridged version in the future. I liked Les Mis- by the same author- so I was hoping to like this one but nope.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated