The hunchback of Notre-Dame

Lorsque j'ai lu ce classique de la littérature française, il s'agissait d'une lecture obligatoire en classe de Première, pour l'oral du bac de français. Je n'en avais pas forcément gardé de bons souvenirs, je me souvenais notamment de l'interminable description de Paris sur des dizaines de pages. Globalement, je m'étais plutôt ennuyé. Ces dernières années, je m'étais pourtant promis de laisser une seconde chance à ce roman.

C'est désormais chose faite, et je ne pourrais pas avoir une opinion plus opposée que celle que j'avais il y a vingt-cinq ans. Si certaines descriptions restent très longues, l'ensemble du roman est magnifique et m'a fait forte impression. Quasimodo qui ne m'inspirait que dégoût et pitié m'a cette fois ému, et Frollo que je voyais comme un prêtre stéréotypé m'est apparu comme le personnage complexe et passionnant qu'il est vraiment. L'adolescent que j'étais alors ne pouvait sans doute pas percevoir toutes les qualités de cette oeuvre tragique et mémorable. Je suis heureux d'avoir eu l'occasion de la redécouvrir et de l'apprécier avec quelques années de plus.

I have tried to read this book several times in my life. I have liked Victor Hugo since reading the abridged Les Miserables for my sophomore English high school class. I liked that novel so much, that I purchased and read the unabridged story. My parents then gifted me with a hardcover edition that contained both an abridged version of Les Miserables and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. I never could get into Hunchback.

When I saw the book on audio, I was pleased that I would at least be able to listen to some of the book. Overall, in the end, I'm am glad that I did get through it some way, but I did not like the story and did not like the reading of it.

Ms. Christie may be very good at her acting, but I did not like her portrayal of the characters of this book. There were too many male characters that she did not distinguish the voices between. The only female character, La Esmeralda, only seemed to say "Oh" and "Phoebus," both in very breathy, irritating tones. I am hoping that an unabridged or less abridged versions have the only female character saying more than just those two words. I do know had I read it myself, the tones would have been less weak and irritating.

A friend reminded me to remember the book was written by a man several centuries ago. I understand that, but I don't remember Les Mis being like that. Maybe I was just more able to stomach weak, irritating females in high school than I am now as an adult.

I already gave my overall opinion. I don't think I would recommend this particular audio book. It's good to read "classics," and a reading of Hunchback is probably a good thing for a well-rounded reader. This audio book is not worth the pain of it. It only compounds the irritating plot to listen to it read poorly.