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Jul 19, 2014lukasevansherman rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
"Every civilization begins in theocracy and ends in democracy." Although this is the title used for the many film adaptations, the actual title is "Notre-Dame of Paris" and Quasimodo is one of many characters. If you know the films, the book is quite different: deeper, more complex, and ultimately darker. Hugo, who also wrote "Les Miserables," is a capacious creative artist, whose style embraces as much is can and the books is brimming with architecture, philosophy, history, theology, and allusions. But it's also a sweeping, exciting, and moving story and its themes of oppression, injustice, and the plight of outcasts still resonate today. If you've only seen the film adaptations, you really should pick this up. Make it a double feature with "The Phantom of the Opera."