annewithabook 's review for:

Notre-Dame de Paris by Victor Hugo

3.0

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Where do I start in critiquing this classic? The descriptions are so detailed that they are both beautiful and boring at the same time. Often times the perspective will turn to random characters, simply to give a fuller view of the city but adds little to the plot. Many of the characters are frustrating at best. This book will spend pages and chapters describing one thing (like the cathedral) or a character who is pointless to the plot. Hugo’s other most famous book, Les Mis, does this similarly, but in that one each character is presented in detail to move forward the plot, whereas in this one, random characters feel purposeless. Saying that, the descriptions are extremely lush, presenting a view of Paris which Hugo clearly loved. In the end, my feelings were mixed about this book.

Full review on my blog: https://madamewriterblog.com/2019/08/21/book-review-notre-dame-de-paris-by-victor-hugo/