The Hunchback of Notre Dame

By: Victor Hugo

Narrated by: Philippe Duquenoy

Length: 19 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

When it comes to 19th-century French literature, few can compare to Victor Hugo. In 1831, Victor Hugo wrote one of the most memorial gothic stories of all time, Notre Dame de Paris, later changed to The Hunchback of Notre Dame in 1833. It is said that Hugo's inspiration for writing this book was the cathedral itself. He worried that society was neglecting the old gothic buildings in favor of new buildings and wanted to bring attention to the structure. As a result of Hugo's concern, the world was treated to a fantastic gothic novel that would continue to be enjoyed for centuries.

This amazing story is set in medieval Paris and is centered on the famed Notre Dame cathedral as well as the three main characters: Esmeralda (the gypsy dancer); Quasimodo (the hunchback); and the priest, Claude Frollo.

Public Domain (P)2017 A.R.N. Publications

Great descriptions of Paris and its buildings

Great descriptions of Paris, its buildings and the characters. Worth the read for that alone

Beautiful story with an excellent narrator.

Beautiful, tragic story. Read it once & then read it again. Truly timeless. The narrator of this audiobook did an excellent job.

NOT A LIGHT READ

This is a great book, but don't take it lightly. this isn't the Disney movie you know and love put into literature. This is a heavy and dark tale that will make you really think about the characters you've come to love. In this, you will respect some enemies even when you watch their downfall, hate the love interests, and especially abhor the captain. Quasimodo is not by far the best character in the book which is no surprise to anyone but he is much darker and bigger then you think. Don't take this book lightly, it's a very long build up with many more storylines then you are aware of. It all accumulates into one large tragedy that is heartbreaking and does not fill you with warm and fuzzies. Listener beware

This is different than the Disney Movie

Where does The Hunchback of Notre Dame rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Another Victor Hugo classic. Middle Ages Paris comes to life.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Find out a truer story of the gypsy. Hugo illuminates their character and history.

What does Philippe Duquenoy bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He is very believable as he moves from one character to another.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The moments when Quasi stands over the priest as he hangs on the ledge of the cathederal..

Any additional comments?

This is an easy and enjoyable listen!

All turns out as expected

Philippe Duquenoy efficiently delivers nineteen hours of this tale well. He uses Isabelle Hapgood's old translation but this doesn't sound antiquated, but suits the tone of this 19c epic. I liked the poet best and his early fall into the lair of a feast of clever fools. But he soon fades for most of the tale. Thus designated villain the priest Claude Frollo gets a long but interesting backstory setting the course of an utterly predictable plot. We get Quasimodo and Esmeralda and Pheobus all interacting as well as a recluse hidden away with naturally a hidden past. There is a section on the streets and landmarks that takes over an hour or at least seems to....still, I respect Victor Hugo's efforts to remind his country's people of their architecture and heritage. Which is timely, after the fire of 2019 reminded me to finally encounter this novel on audio. It mostly kept some of my interest thanks to Hugo's evocation of the end of the medieval Catholic dominance over France, and the narrator's steady pace. He did not exaggerate the women's voices or camp up Quasi's, and remained respectfu! to the spirit of this moral lesson. And it got me ready for Les Miserables, three times longer, which I hope is a bit more surprising.

Worth Reading: The Hunchback of Notre Dame (spoilers!)

In this review, we will explore the personal journey of Quasimodo, one of the main characters in Victor Hugo’s infamous novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame. He is perhaps the only character in the story who, despite all his tragedies, becomes the best version of himself. He is a figure of inspiration for all of us because, though he suffers from disfigurement and extensive limitations, his heart continues to beat out of love for others and humble acceptance of himself.

At the beginning, Quasimodo is a recluse. He hides himself in the chapel of Notre Dame because he has been shunned from society due to his physical malformations. He is a hunchback, he is deaf, and has only the use of one eye. His sufferings have been great. And his response to them has been a simultaneous resentment towards the people of his village, but also a continual growth in tenderness and compassion from his long hours spent in the church.

He meets a Romani dancer named Esmerelda. She is exquisitely beautiful and had captured the unwanted addresses of an evil Archdeacon named Claude Frollo, who is gifted by all the appearances of a gentleman but is truly despised for his cruelty by the people. Frollo had attempted to force himself upon Esmeralda and kidnapped her one night, with the assistance of Quasimodo, who idealizes Frollo, grateful for any and all attentions (Frollo is Quasimodo’s adopted father.). The abduction is subverted, though, by Captain Phoebus, a strong and handsome leader, along with a group of armed soldiers. Esmerelda is immediately smitten by her rescuer, who also returns her affections. Meanwhile, Frollo abandons Quasimodo, leaving him to suffer the consequences of taking full responsibility for Esmerelda’s attempted kidnapping.

Quasimodo goes to court and is sentenced—despite the sympathies of the court’s people—to receive cruel lashings and public demonstration. This happens through the verdict of a mean and prejudiced judge, who also himself happens to be deaf. During this experience, Quasimodo is moved deeply by one act of kindness shown to him by Esmerelda who offers him a drink to alleviate his sufferings during the punishment. This action alone changes everything for Quasimodo. He continues to hide afterwards in the cathedral but his heart starts to overflow with love for Esmeralda.

A series of tragic events occur for Esmeralda. The Archdeacon places her in a position of desperation where she must choose between marrying him or getting hanged, under a false accusation of witchcraft. Quasimodo intervenes by rescuing her at the last minute and calling out the Law of Sanctuary within the protection of the cathedral walls. She is grateful to him but is still repulsed by his ugliness. She is safe for a time but, eventually, the Archdeacon has his way. He deems that if he cannot have Esmeralda, then no man shall. So, Frollo and Quasimodo watch as Esmeralda is hung for witchcraft. Overcome with sorrow and grief, Quasimodo pushes the Archdeacon off a balcony to his death. And Quasimodo is never seen nor heard from again.

This story is indeed a tragedy for all the characters. But it appears that Victor Hugo is examining two different examples of unrequited love; namely, the obsessive and self-seeking kind felt by the Archdeacon, and the authentic and generous affection had for Esmeralda by Quasimodo. The former seeks possession as its end, whereas the latter seeks only to offer itself to the beloved, expecting nothing in return. And so, for this reason, Quasimodo, despite all that he has suffered, is redeemed through the love of Esmeralda. It is a story full of grief but also of tenderness and inspiration through the transformation of the hunchback of Notre Dame.

A Truly Great Narration!

I love how Victor Hugo paints such a clear and vivid picture for his audience in this tragic love story that will definitely captivate any and all listeners, and will most likely have you in tears towards the ending. Hats off to the narrator for a SPECTACULAR job throughout the entire book, his reading style and accents were spot on.

Next on the list...Les Miserables!

A couple rough chapters but overall excellence

The narration was good and carried inflection and some changes in voice for different charaters.

There were some chapters I struggled with because they didn't pertain to the story itself but were interesting in their own right. The book kept me wanting to come back to finish it.

I dont speak french so some of the language in the book was a bit thick and I had to rewind to listen again for better understand.

I knew it was vastly different than Disney's creation going in but it was still interesting to think about where they got certain visuals, ideas, easter eggs, and about what they changed.

For me (who has lost a child) the parent child dynamic was heartbreaking and memorable. How ever my favorite part of the book was when the Hunchback saved Esmeralda and brought her to sanctuary.

Hugo did a great job showing many types of love (or what some perceive as love) through many different character relations. His descriptions throught the book flowed effortlessly painting vivid pictures of the scene at all times.

Tedious at points but well worth it.

Narrator was quite good... I did think perhaps the voice of Esmeralda could have been imbued with more dignity, but overall, was very well done.

Not what I expected

Idk if it is the addition of historical facts that took the drama out of this story for me but in a word it was brutal... glad it's over with