A review by jason_l_thomas
The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo

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.