The Hunchback of Notre-Dame

The Hunchback of Notre-Dame is a book by Victor Hugo, first published in 1831. Set against the vibrant, gritty backdrop of 15th-century Paris, this Gothic masterpiece transcends a simple tale of monsters and heroes. It is a profound exploration of obsession, social injustice, and the architectural soul of France. At its heart is the majestic Notre-Dame Cathedral, which serves as more than just a setting; it is a silent witness to the intertwined fates of those who dwell within its shadows. This standalone classic is essential reading for fans of historical fiction and romanticism.

The narrative follows the tragic life of Quasimodo, the cathedral’s deaf and physically deformed bell-ringer, who is both feared and mocked by the citizenry. His life is defined by his loyalty to the archdeacon Claude Frollo, a man consumed by a dangerous internal conflict between his religious devotion and a dark, burgeoning lust. The catalyst for the story’s central drama is the arrival of Esmeralda, a compassionate and beautiful Romani street dancer. Her presence ignites a fire in the hearts of multiple men—including the shallow Captain Phoebus—leading to a chain of events that exposes the cruelty and hypocrisy of the medieval justice system.

Victor Hugo, a titan of French literature also known for Les Misérables, wrote this novel partly as a plea for the preservation of Gothic architecture, which was being neglected at the time. Through rich, descriptive prose, Hugo weaves a tapestry of Parisian life, from the squalor of the Court of Miracles to the soaring heights of the belfry. As the plot unfolds, readers are taken on a journey through themes of unrequited love and the "fatality" that governs human existence. This timeless story remains a powerful critique of societal prejudice and a celebration of inner beauty.

This translation by Isabel F. Hapgood was first published in 1888.