B. J. Harrison Reads The Hunchback of Notre Dame

"The Hunchback of Notre Dame" is one of Victor Hugo most popular historical novels. It follows the story of the young Quasimodo, a hunchback who lives the solitary life of an outcast in the bell tower of Notre-Dame in Paris. When his path crosses that of the beautiful gypsy Esmeralda, his little world is turned upside down. Quasimodo's guardian, the Archdeacon Frollo, becomes equally obsessed with Esmeralda and tries to convince Quasimodo to kidnap her. This gothic tale full of betrayal and lust explores human condition and all those emotions and feelings that make us human. Hugo's romantic description of the cathedral inspired a renewed interest in medieval architecture in France, and led to a wave of renovations across the country. His novel has been adapted into numerous big and small screen adaptations, most famously the 1996 Disney animated movie.