Translated by Isabel F. Hapgood
First published in 1831, this is one of Hugo’s most famous works. He began writing Notre-Dame de Paris in 1829. The agreement with his original publisher Gosselin was that the novel should be finished that same year, but Hugo was constantly delayed by other projects. By the summer of 1830, Gosselin demanded Hugo to complete the book by February 1831. Beginning in September 1830, Hugo worked continually on the project and finished it six months later.
The novel begins on Epiphany (6 January), 1482, the day of the ‘Feast of Fools’ in Paris. Quasimodo, the deformed hunchback bell-ringer of Notre Dame, is introduced by his crowning as King of Fools. The novel also concerns Esmeralda, a beautiful, kind and generous Gypsy, who captures the hearts of many admirers, including Captain Phoebus and a poor street poet, Pierre Gringoire, but especially Quasimodo.
The enormous popularity of the novel in France spurred a historical preservation movement and strongly encouraged the revival of Gothic architecture. Ultimately the novel also encouraged major renovations at Notre-Dame in the 19th century, which were led by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. Much of the cathedral’s present appearance is a result of this renovation.