April-May Book: The Hunchback of Notre Dame

The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo

http://www.online-literature.com/vic...ck_notre_dame/

And it's not like the Disney cartoon either. :-(

LOL I've only seen the Lon Chaney version (and a couple 20 min cartoons when I was a kid), so this is really interesting. Hard to get back into that Romantic writing style at first (definitely putting down Dostoevsky till I've finished this one). All the allusions to French history are a bit irksome, aren't they? Sometimes they remind me of the "such-and-such begat such-and-such" pages of the Bible. I guess I just have to readjust my brain from Russia to France before I can remember how to appreciate the value of words that don't really forward the plot. :p

I have yet to pick the book up before 1:30 am, so I'm having a little bit of trouble following it, but I'm still in Book I, so things havn't really taken off yet. But trying to figure out all the french pronunciations of words that aren't translated (proper nouns ect.) is really annoying me.

Hehe I haven't gotten very far either. I've been having trouble pulling myself away from the computer (namely this forum) to actually do some serious reading. How's that for irony? :p My grandparents are coming to visit for Easter starting Thursday, though, and they will be making use of the guestroom half of this room's dual purpose, so I'll have some quality bonding time with Monsieur Hugo then.

I am up to page 27. I don't know if I will get beyond it! There is more that one book? I have never seen the film and don't know what characters are important so can't even 'skim' it. Is is possible to skim? The writing is quite like Dickens but Dickens is more arresting and has suspense. Does it get any better later on in the book? It must be good or how could it have become so famous? So far I am bored.

the beginning is boring as hell. then it becomes marvelous, so stick with it! you're in for a treat. :)
i have a penguin classic, it took me until page 37 or so.

I'm up to the Chapter (I think 5) called "Quasimodo". The beginning had charming languege, but in 41 pages the plot advanced about 15 minutes. That would be ok if those 41 pages were describing a character's feelings or something, but I can't for the life of me figure out what Hugo has been doing while I've been reading. Tonight I'm going to make myself read a big chunk though, so I'll probably get more into it... provided I get to it before 1:30. Right now I'm at 11:45. tick... tick... tick...

I'm on a "Bird's Eye View of Paris." Chpt. 2, Book 3. There are some beautiful turns of phrases he uses. Spoiler Ahead Like how temp of his body and the gutter water reach the same "equilibrium." And "After a time I realized I lacked something for everything, and finding I was good for nothing, I became of my own free will a poet and composer of rhymes." :D :D should've used a highlighter pen on everything that's caught my eye so far...

If I wasn't a moron who couldn't read military time, I would have seen that it was only 9:45. NOW its 11:45 and I'm still here :mad:, and still havn't touched the book :mad:

I think it got pretty interesting after Gringoire came on the scene on like page 20. It's helped me to understand the humor if I try to imagine how I would direct the actors to perform it in a movie (not a play, cause it's hard to be subtle on stage, but that's just my preference). Since I got into that habit of pausing I've discovered how absolutely hilarious some of the scenes are.

*gasping* brilliant thing about this is, without my even being here, you people keep choosing books I've already read! :D So I don't have to do anything!! :) :p :D I loved this book. It's really sad at the end. that's all I'll say.... FOR NOW. :)

Yes, the ending is beautifully sad.:(

i'm very bored with a "bird's eye view of paris" :(
knowing there's a sad ending to look forward to helps. thanks! :D

Gringoir does add some plot. I was also getting bored with the dragging "This is Paris" chapters.

SPOILER FOR BOOK II

I thought the whole situation with Gringoir and Esmerelda was hilarious. I don't know about you guys but I was pulling for him and was kinda dissappointed with her rejection and her mulling over Phoebus. But than again I havn't really read much about Phoebus so who knows, Maybe I'll like him too.