The Hunchback of Notre-Dame

Victor Hugo, 1831Translated by Isabel F. Hapgood (1888)

Victor Hugo’s novel of Paris in 1482, set around the cathedral of Notre-Dame: the deaf, misshapen bell-ringer Quasimodo, the archdeacon Claude Frollo who brought him up, and the young gypsy dancer Esmeralda, whom both come to love.

Start reading61 chapters, about 184,000 words

Famous quotes

On the face of this aged queen of our cathedrals, by the side of a wrinkle, one always finds a scar. Tempus edax, homo edacior; which I should be glad to translate thus: time is blind, man is stupid.
Book Third, Chapter IIn context
- History
- Time
Great edifices, like great mountains, are the work of centuries.
Book Third, Chapter IIn context
The invention of printing is the greatest event in history. It is the mother of revolution.
Book Fifth, Chapter IIIn context
- History
- Technology

Preface

Book First

Chapter IThe Grand Hall
Chapter IIPierre Gringoire
Chapter IIIMonsieur the Cardinal
Chapter IVMaster Jacques Coppenole
Chapter VQuasimodo
Chapter VIEsmeralda

Book Second

Chapter IFrom Charybdis to Scylla
Chapter IIThe Place de Grève
Chapter IIIKisses for Blows
Chapter IVThe Inconveniences of Following a Pretty Woman Through the Streets in the Evening
Chapter VResult of the Dangers
Chapter VIThe Broken Jug
Chapter VIIA Bridal Night

Book Third

Chapter INotre-Dame
Chapter IIA Bird’s-Eye View of Paris

Book Fourth

Chapter IGood Souls
Chapter IIClaude Frollo
Chapter IIIImmanis Pecoris Custos, Immanior Ipse
Chapter IVThe Dog and His Master
Chapter VMore About Claude Frollo
Chapter VIUnpopularity

Book Fifth

Chapter IAbbas Beati Martini
Chapter IIThis Will Kill That

Book Sixth

Chapter IAn Impartial Glance at the Ancient Magistracy
Chapter IIThe Rat-Hole
Chapter IIIHistory of a Leavened Cake of Maize
Chapter IVA Tear for a Drop of Water
Chapter VEnd of the Story of the Cake

Book Seventh

Chapter IThe Danger of Confiding One’s Secret to a Goat
Chapter IIA Priest and a Philosopher Are Two Different Things
Chapter IIIThe Bells
Chapter IVἈΝÁΓΚΗ
Chapter VThe Two Men Clothed in Black
Chapter VIThe Effect Which Seven Oaths in the Open Air Can Produce
Chapter VIIThe Mysterious Monk
Chapter VIIIThe Utility of Windows Which Open on the River

Book Eighth

Chapter IThe Crown Changed into a Dry Leaf
Chapter IIContinuation of the Crown Which Was Changed into a Dry Leaf
Chapter IIIEnd of the Crown Which Was Turned into a Dry Leaf
Chapter IVLasciate Ogni Speranza—Leave All Hope Behind, Ye Who Enter Here
Chapter VThe Mother
Chapter VIThree Human Hearts Differently Constructed

Book Ninth

Chapter IDelirium
Chapter IIHunchbacked, One Eyed, Lame
Chapter IIIDeaf
Chapter IVEarthenware and Crystal
Chapter VThe Key to the Red Door
Chapter VIContinuation of the Key to the Red Door

Book Tenth

Chapter IGringoire Has Many Good Ideas in Succession.—Rue des Bernardins
Chapter IITurn Vagabond
Chapter IIILong Live Mirth
Chapter IVAn Awkward Friend
Chapter VThe Retreat in Which Monsieur Louis of France Says His Prayers
Chapter VILittle Sword in Pocket
Chapter VIIChateaupers to the Rescue

Book Eleventh

Chapter IThe Little Shoe
Chapter IIThe Beautiful Creature Clad in White. (Dante.)
Chapter IIIThe Marriage of Phoebus
Chapter IVThe Marriage of Quasimodo

Note Added to the Definitive Edition