64 pages • 2 hours read
Victor HugoThe Hunchback of Notre-Dame
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1831A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In 15th-century Paris, Victor Hugo's The Hunchback of Notre-Dame tells the intertwined tales of Quasimodo, the bell-ringer of Notre-Dame; Esmeralda, a Romani dancer; and Archdeacon Claude Frollo, who harbors obsessive desires towards Esmeralda. Their lives become tragically entangled, driven by love, jealousy, and societal prejudice, leading to dramatic and heartbreaking consequences. The novel includes depictions of discrimination against Romani people, as well as ableism.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Victor Hugo's The Hunchback of Notre-Dame is widely acclaimed for its intricate narrative and rich historical setting of 15th-century Paris. Praised for Hugo's vivid characterizations and profound themes, it also faces criticism for its dense, descriptive passages which some readers find cumbersome. Overall, it remains a monumental work of Gothic literature, lauded for its emotional depth and social commentary.
Who Should Read The Hunchback of Notre-Dame?
A reader who enjoys classic literature, rich historical settings, and intricate character development will appreciate Victor Hugo's The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. Comparable to fans of Les Misérables and The Count of Monte Cristo, this novel appeals to those fascinated by Gothic architecture, tragic romance, and social commentary.