Recently, I read the Hunchback of Notre Dame (in Portuguese) and wanted to share some views, discuss it a little, and ask some recommendations.
There are spoilers ahead.
My thoughts: I didn't like it very much. Though the very long descriptions of Paris and the cathedral were interesting from a historical point of view, I though they very boring to read. Barely any of the characters were likeable: Gringoire was funny in some parts but how he didn't care much to help Esmeralda in the end bothered me — she had saved him before), and Quasimodo was interesting but mostly in the end. Frollo was too disgusting. Jehan was sort of funny, but I didn't like how he died. I liked the class struggles, but they felt underexplored. Esmeralda could have easily saved herself in the end, if she wasn't so silly and dumb regarding Phoebus. Last, how the woman in the Rat Hole changed from fierce hate to fierce love didn't sound very real.
I would like to see the views of those who liked it, so maybe I can change my perspective. I read it when I was a teenager (likely an abridged version though) and liked it, but didn't remember much of it. I have never watched the Disney movie, only one with Salma Hayek many years ago.
Finally, I searched for some critiques and analyses, but didn't find good ones. I would love to see some recommendations. Thanks!
by regrettedcloud