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The Hunchback of Notre-Dame

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1831

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Book Brief

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Victor Hugo

The Hunchback of Notre-Dame

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1831
Book Details
Pages

544

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Paris, France • 1480s

Publication Year

1831

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16+ years

Lexile Level

GN580L

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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.

Melancholic

Dark

Mysterious

Bittersweet

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

4.2

207,152 ratings

73%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

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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 this

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.

4.2

207,152 ratings

73%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

544

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Paris, France • 1480s

Publication Year

1831

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16+ years

Lexile Level

GN580L

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