The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Victor Hugo

Dec 2016 · Author's Republic · Narrated by Mark Nelson

About this audiobook

Outcast by society because of his hideous appearance, Quasimodo lives under the protection of Claude Frollo and the cathedral of Notre-Dame. His world revolves around the bells, but once the beautiful gypsy girl, La Esmeralda, enters their lives, things can never return to the way they were before.


An epic tale of beauty and sadness, The Hunchback of Notre Dame portrays the sufferings of humanity with compassion and power.


The book is translated by Isabel Florence Hapgood, a major U.S. translator of French and Russian literature.

Ratings and reviews

As tensions rise between the Romani community and the authorities, Esmeralda finds herself accused of a crime she didn't commit and faces persecution and death. Quasimodo, driven by his love for her, attempts to save her, leading to a dramatic and heart-wrenching climax. The novel explores themes of social inequality, prejudice, and injustice, particularly in the treatment of marginalized groups such as the Romani people.

Esmeralda, a kind-hearted and compassionate Romani woman, captures the hearts of many men in Paris, including the captain of the city guard, Phoebus, and the poet Pierre Gringoire. However, she only has eyes for the handsome Phoebus.

The novel's themes of love, justice, and the human condition continue to resonate with readers today, ensuring its enduring relevance and impact.