Truly, a masterpiece that will stir the soul. Hugo’s novel is dark, emotional, and places you right in the center of Paris and amongst the cruelness and chaos of these character’s lives, just as he did with another favorite of mine, Les Miserables.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame has always been my favorite Disney movie, so I was intrigued and surprised by how different it is from the novel. I spotted references kept, which was interesting! This novel is incredibly heart wrenching and makes you feel all sorts of emotions - mostly anger. Quasimodo isn’t even the main character, I would say it is moreso La Esmeralda. I really loved her character, and Djali was so darn cute. Frollo, on the other hand. I think he was a fantastic personification of corruption. In other words, he is disgusting and I despised him. Phoebus was also quite unlikeable - big himbo energy but not in a good way. I can’t even wrap my head around everything but it was just a fantastic novel. It’s so complex and has layers to it. I see it as a large commentary and criticism of the nobility and Church during the time period it is set in. It just brings forward the chaos and how horrid the world and mankind can truly be, but the most unlikely of people in our eyes are often the most beautiful. I think this is a classic everyone should read. It is by no means a happy book, but it is well worth the time. ❤️