This little paraphrase will sum up how I felt with the plot line and the book in general… “I finished a 501 page book in less than a week“. I was captivated by the intense story line from the very beginning. My family can tell when I am in a good book for you can only see my fingers gripping the binding instead of my face. While my fa-mi-ly had noodle making lessons I confess that I buried my intellectual mentality into ciphering the words of Hugo instead of paying close attention. That seems to happen a lot to me. For instance in algebra, when Mom and I were trying to figure a problem and she said that I could I relax for a few minutes…those minutes were spent gripping “Quasimodo” as we called it.

I will not burden you with reading the story line, for it is indeed intense and time consuming, however I will leave you with my overall review of the book.

In a moral sense, The Hunchback of Notre Dame has some unconventional views upon salvation, the use of God’s holy name, and sensuality. When referencing to salvation, the book gives the tone that Christians are weak mice like creatures who are so focused on God that fun is absolutely out of the question or they are truly deep dark creatures with insanity running in their veins. That does not bother me as much as the other two notes, for I know the truth. Upon God’s holy name, blasphemy is used in almost every chapter although it is not too excessive, yet once is more than necessary. And as to sensuality, there are 2 or 3 instances where characters give into their lust for one another, but Hugo deals with these moments with poise. His writing is not too descriptive but he does inform the reader what is happening. I was disappointed however in the frequent musings of lust in a certain character.

However, in a literature sense, I thoroughly enjoyed the speed and drama of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Almost every page held yet another formula that deepened the reader’s view to every character. The story features upon some well rounded characters whose mental and verbal dialogue give insight into their descriptions. Quasimodo, the  “main character in the background” is beautiful in his thoughtfulness and even though Hugo gives endless descriptions of his hideousness, the reader does grow to love Quasimodo’s compassionate and thoughtful nature.

I must also say that the last paragraph of the book is beautiful in its mortal description.