The Hunchback of Notre-Dame (Puffin Classics)

Rating:
Summary: read Les Miserables
Review: I did like this book, when I eventually persuaded myself I had to read it, but some parts were unnecessarily and tediously descriptive. I really didn't want to know about every stone in Notre Dame de Paris. A shorter description would still create the right atmosphere. I haven't seen the Disney version, but I have the idea it's a happy ending film, and I don't think that suits the book.

Rating:
Summary: Usually great but sometimes tedious
Review: After many years of this book sitting on my bookshelf, I finally picked it up. I have to be honest - I expected more. It was usually very well written and a good story, but at times too needlessly detailed. The descriptions of Paris were, I found, a bit much. Overall, though, a wonderful story written by a gifted author. It also helped that I've been to Paris and the square in front of Notre Dame so much - it allowed me to see the events happening in my mind even more than usual.

Rating:
Summary: Very tragic!
Review: I commend Quasimodo's loyalty & gratefulness vs. his undying love for Esmeralda. I also feel his pains & torment while reading his story & I feel his sorrow brought upon by his extreme ugliness. I despise the priest's selfishness & I believe there would have been no better ending than his well deserved death. I know it is impossible for a very beautiful Esmeralda to fall in love with a monstrously deformed person though she owes her life to him. It's just simple reality. A little gratefulness would have been more apt to make Quasimodo a little bit happier. Sometimes, you would think which is worse...having a hideous face or a hideous heart? Tears fell from my eyes when the Sachette found her long lost daughter & how she defended Esmeralda from the gallows. Being a mother, I felt how great it would be to be reunited with my daughter & how heartbreaking at the same time to see her die right before my eyes. I would have given my own life too, had I been the Sachette. I found the end truly tragic---an everlasting love knew no boundaries nor ends. It was a pure unconditional love, always giving & not expecting anything in return.

Rating:
Summary: Romantic, mysterious, truly touching
Review: A BOOK OF THIS MAGNITUDE IS EXCEPTIONALLY RARE. FROM THIS BOOKS HUMBLE BEGINNINGS FOLLOWING THE TRAGIC POET, IT SLOWLY CLIMAXES TO A RIOT IN THE CITY OF PARIS, WITH QUASIMODO DEFENDING NOTRE DAME. ONLY VICTOR HUGO COULD HAVE THOUGHT OF SUCH TRULY TOUCHING STORY LINE, AND INACTED IT SO PERFECTLY. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE WHATS AT THE CORE OF THIS STORY, ITS ALL ABOUT OUTSIDERS, REBELS IN THEIR OWN RIGHT, BEING SCREWED BY SOCIETY. FROM THE TRAGIC STORY OF LA ESMERELSA, WHO WAS CHEATED MEARLY BECAUSE SHE WAS BOHEMIAN, THERE ARE EVEN NOW EXAMPLES OF THIS KIND OF DICRIMINATION, AND ID LIKE TO SAY BRAVO TO HUGO FOR SO CAPTURING THE STRUGLES OF THE 15TH CENTURY MODERN LIFE. MY FINAL WORD ON THE SUBJECT IS SANCTUARY!, SANCTUARY!

Rating:
Summary: Victor Hugo's Best!
Review: I found The Hunchback of Notre Dame one of the most entertaining books in the history of literature. A deformed hunchback, a doomed gypsy, and a priest who is mad in his own damnation has come together in a delicious tale of love, tragedy, and pain. The story is about a disfigured man who has fell in love with a beautiful gypsy, but learn that his elder master had also set eyes upon the young girl. The hunchback saved the maiden, but only saw her in the end being delievered in the hands of the executioner. This book I recommend everyone to read.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent example of a literary tragedy.
Review: The author has keen insight into the human condition. I found this book to be funny, as Hugo pokes fun at various character stereotyypes. He also has a real sense of religious interpretation, but I found his portrayal of Frollo as the priest gone wrong to be quite disurbing. I'm glad I don't live in Medieval times. I love reading classics.

Rating:
Summary: I Loved It!
Review: This book stands as one of my favorites. Victor Hugo creates unforgettable and complex characters. This story provokes many strong emotions which make the book even more compelling. I recommend it to anyone who likes to read.

Rating:
Summary: Santurary!!!!!!!!
Review: This is the best book I have read in a long time.When I started reading it was preety boring but then when you get more into it it become's the best!It's very suspenful and packed full of action.

Rating:
Summary: Inspiration For All Who Crave Love And Acceptance
Review: This marvelous classic reveals quite a bit about society and how those who seem different are treated badly. Quasimodo is a role model for anyone who feels that they've been sorely mistreated or used. He wins the favor of everybody when he comes to the aid of Esmerelda in her time of desperate need. The chapter of the rescue also proves that Quasimodo could have been excellent in a circus with his impressive agility. Although the conclusion is very sad,the entire book is wonderful. This novel teaches us the important lesson that even though people are different in appearance,we all are the same inside. Most people would probably wish to aspire to the level of courage and fortification of Quasimodo. I enjoyed this book immensely and highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: A memorable tale of tragic love
Review: Quasimodo lives his life as a freak.He is accepted only by Claude Frollo.Then when Esmerelda gives him sympathy and aid,he realizes that there is more to love than acceptance.He comes to the aid of Esmerelda and realizes too late how twisted and sick Claude Frollo really is.

Esmerelda lives the carefree life of a gypsy,and is accused of witchcraft through no fault of her own.Her kindness to Quasimodo is repaid by the aid and comfort of the hunchback.She doesn't quite realize that Quasimodo really loves her more than any other man in the novel.