The Hunchback of Notre Dame

When it comes to 19th-century French literature, few can compare to Victor Hugo. In 1831, Victor Hugo wrote one of the most memorial gothic stories of all time, Notre Dame de Paris, later changed to The Hunchback of Notre Dame in 1833. It is said that Hugo’s inspiration for writing this book was the cathedral itself. He worried that society was neglecting the old gothic buildings in favor of new buildings and wanted to bring attention to the structure. As a result of Hugo’s concern, the world was treated to a fantastic gothic novel that would continue to be enjoyed for centuries.

This amazing story is set in medieval Paris and is centered on the famed Notre Dame cathedral as well as the three main characters: Esmeralda (the gypsy dancer); Quasimodo (the hunchback); and the priest, Claude Frollo.