Questions About The Hunchback of Notre-Dame

by Victor Hugo

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, please sign up.

Answered Questions (20)

Is this a good book for 11 year old's?

Ailsa

This answer contains spoilers… (view spoiler)

flag

This is my virgin foray into Hugo's work. Are all his stories this intense with history, philosophy and scarce of characters and plot?

Zoe I am not entirely familiar with all of Hugo's writing but having additionally read his other famous work, Les Misérables, I would be inclined to say y…moreI am not entirely familiar with all of Hugo's writing but having additionally read his other famous work, Les Misérables, I would be inclined to say yes. In comparison as well, Hunchback is much more narrative heavy. I hope this answer helps!(less)

flag

Katie It is similar in style, but the story is different. This book focuses more on the cathedral than any one character, that one reads much more like a tr…moreIt is similar in style, but the story is different. This book focuses more on the cathedral than any one character, that one reads much more like a traditional story, with characters we spend lots of time with.(less)

flag

is there a preferred translation?

Lucy Day Werts .
.
People have different taste when it comes to reading world literature. For example, some prefer translations that sound like smooth, "normal" Englis…more.
.
People have different taste when it comes to reading world literature. For example, some prefer translations that sound like smooth, "normal" English, while others prefer for the translation to sound a bit old and/or foreign.

If you want a recent translation, the Sturrock translation published by Penguin is one of the smoother English ones; the Krailsheimer translation published by Oxford is a good choice for those who want something faithful to the French.

However, I think the best way to decide which translation to read is to read samples and see what sounds good to you. There are approximately ten different complete English translations in print.

For information on all the translations, including book covers, ISBNs, pagecounts, and extracts for comparison, visit We Love Translations: World Literature in English:

» What's the best translation of The Hunchback of Notre Dame?

.(less)

flag

Is this the best English translation? I mean the Alban Krailsheimer one?

Lucy Day Werts .
.
There are over a dozen English translations. I think the Oxford/Krailsheimer translation is one of the two best modern translations, and the Pengui…more.
.
There are over a dozen English translations. I think the Oxford/Krailsheimer translation is one of the two best modern translations, and the Penguin/Sturrock translation is the other. The two translators have a different approach; some people may prefer one and some may prefer the other. So I don't think there's any one "best" translation. The best way to choose a translation is to read a bit of several different candidates and see what sounds good.

For info on Krailsheimer, Sturrock, and a dozen other English translations, including book covers, ISBNs, pagecounts, and extracts for comparison, visit We Love Translations: World Literature in English.

» What's the best translation of The Hunchback of Notre Dame?

.(less)

flag

Load 5 more questions

Unanswered Questions

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more