3.85 AVERAGE


the Hunchback of Notre-dame was the first novel the author wrote after several plays of his, and with this in mind, you'll notice how his style in writing previous works affected the style of this one. it was almost play-like. the author built this whole fiction on some carvings he found in the cathedral Notre-dame. the author laid more than just a plot, he explained philosophy, architecture and his worldly views all woven together into this beautiful form of written art. and that is what a true author is all about. being able to speak your mind, share your thoughts and engage your audience in one work. don't be fooled by the title of this book, this is not like the Disney movie. and the book doesn't focus on Quasimodo alone. on the contrary, he sheds the light on all characters which is something you rarely see in a novel ( because authors don't want you to get lost and distracted) but i believe the author had a purpose, he wanted you to understand each personality of each character ans this can only happen if you put them under the microscope so to speak, i admit the book is lengthy because of that and if you're not careful you might have to reread the chapters (which i did) but in the end. oh, the end is more than magnificent. you will truly live and die in that age, and with that story.

PO-- the plot has some questionable points, and there are some intense scenes, but I don't believe very many people would be bothered.

A fabulous story, beautifully written. I'm a sucker for French classics, even the tragidies. Great read.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No

This is the saddest thing I've ever read...
adventurous dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Really liked the plot overall, but not a fan of the Phoebus character or how Esmeralda behaved for his affection. Also there were MANY parts of the story I skipped because Hugo just spent several paragraphs describing a specific building or character to where many of the chapters I found pointless. Loved the ending with the "marriage" of Quasimodo.
dark emotional sad slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

It shouldn't have taken me almost 4 months to complete this, but I'm glad I did. The Disney movie has always been a favorite of mine and I'm glad to have been able to read the original story. Obviously there are some key differences from the iconic 90s movie, but that's fine. Yes it is long and dark, but the tragedy does a great job at showing humanity and its relationship with compassion and cruelty. Not to also mention its relationship with other things like religion and race, especially in a place like Paris/France. 

2.5 STARS!!!!

i was soooo bored

The next time I read this book, I will seek out podcast or group of others with whom to read along.
Of course, Hugo's writing is excellent.. I was quite unprepared for the storyline.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

 
📚 Les classiques, ça passe ou... ça casse.

💔 J'ai trouvé ça... un peu... chiant à lire, en route honnêteté. Je sais pas si être entourée de plein de vie autour a rendu une lecture concentrée et consciencieuse difficile (vacances de Noël en famille oblige), mais j'ai survolé de nombreux passages. J'ai tenu les 400 premières pages car je suis partie avec ce seul livre et que j'ai souvent du mal à abandonner une lecture. 400 pages dans l'ensemble chiantes à lire pour 232 pages à la fin plus ou moins ok.

Autre chose qui m'a fait tenir : j'ai aimé avoir la bande-son de la comédie musicale en tête, je me rends compte à quel point cette adaptation est de qualité et pointue et à quel point les paroles sont ciselées et collées au texte de Hugo.

J'ai trouvé ça chiant à lire, avec beaucoup de scènes d'exposition et finalement très peu de scènes d'action. Les descriptions sont nombreuses et longues et probablement fournies mais elles ne m'évoquent rien (d’ordinaire j’aime les descriptions, indépendamment de leur longueur), ne construisent aucune image. J'entends juste l'ombre de l'auteur en les lisant. Le poseur qui s'fait plez' mais je suis même pas certaine que lui-même voyait ce qu'il décrivait. La lecture des Misérables m'avait fait la même impression, peut-être en encore plus pénible. 

🫥 Pêle-mêle, je n'aime pas Hugo, il me laisse indifférente sinon légèrement énervée.

🖼️ J'ai bien aimé l'édition dans laquelle j'ai lu le livre, il s'agit de l'édition de 2009 Folio Classique et préfacée par Adrien Goetz. La préface est un peu intéressante, et surtout des illustrations contemporaines d'Hugo étaient glissées ça et là à l'intérieur du livre. Il s'agissait de gravures qui ont orné les premières éditions du livre dans les années 1830-1840.