Read by Simon Vance

The Hunchback of Notre Dame By Victor Hugo. Translated by Isabel Florence Hapgood. A mad priest, a vagabond playwright, a social-climbing soldier, and a deformed bell-ringer - all are captivated by a gypsy girl's beauty and charm. Two of them will betray her, but the others will remain loyal, even in the shadow of the gallows. These outlaws find sanctuary within the walls of medieval Paris' greatest monument, the grand Cathedral of Notre Dame. "What a beautiful thing Notre-Dame is!" declared Gustave Flaubert of Victor Hugo's 1837 novel. Originally published as Notre-Dame de Paris (Our Lady of Paris), it was conceived as a story of the cathedral itself, which functioned as the passionate heart of fifteenth-century city life. But Hugo's human drama rivals the Gothic masterpiece for dominance. Drawn with humor and compassion, his characters endure, both in literary history and in readers' imaginations: Frollo, the sinister archdeacon; Quasimodo, the hideous hunchback; and the enchanting outcast, Esmeralda. The Hunchback of Notre Dame By Victor Hugo. Translated by Isabel Florence Hapgood. A mad priest, a vagabond playwright, a social-climbing soldier, and a deformed bell-ringer - all are captivated by a gypsy girl's beauty and charm. Two of them will betray her, but the others will remain loyal, even in the shadow of the gallows. These outlaws find sanctuary within the walls of medieval Paris' greatest monument, the grand Cathedral of Notre Dame. "What a beautiful thing Notre-Dame is!" declared Gustave Flaubert of Victor Hugo's 1837 novel. Originally published as Notre-Dame de Paris (Our Lady of Paris), it was conceived as a story of the cathedral itself, which functioned as the passionate heart of fifteenth-century city life. But Hugo's human drama rivals the Gothic masterpiece for dominance. Drawn with humor and compassion, his characters endure, both in literary history and in readers' imaginations: Frollo, the sinister archdeacon; Quasimodo, the hideous hunchback; and the enchanting outcast, Esmeralda. Victor Hugo (1802-1885) Victor Hugo was a renowned poet, novelist and playwright of the Romantic Movement in 19th century France. He is considered by many as one of the greatest and best-known French authors of all times. He was also a political statesman and human rights activist, although he is primarily remembered for his literary creations like poetry and novels. In France, he is most revered for his poetry followed by his novels and dramas. Some examples of his outstanding poetry are 'Les Contemplations' and 'Les Legende des siecles'. His most popular novels are Les Misérables, Notre-Dame de Paris (The Hunchback of Notre Dame), L'Homme qui rit (The Man Who Laughs), and Les Travailleurs de la Mer (The Workers of the Sea). His work explores the political and social issues of his time and his books have been translated to several foreign languages

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