From School Library Journal
Grade 6-9. These visually appealing abridgments of classic titles make fairly difficult and complex novels accessible to a junior high audience. Virtually all kids are aware of Disney's not-so-ugly Quasimodo as the hunchbacked bell ringer of the Notre Dame Cathedral in 15th-century hang-'em-high Paris, and many will have seen some film version of Dracula. Massively trimmed, these retellings have brief, readable chapters; the violence is toned down and the eroticism erased. Competent illustrators bring visual unity to the presentations. Beginning with table-of-contents pages that feature portraits of the casts of characters, the books then devote a few pages to setting the place and mood of the tales. Two-page spreads of text and drawings are framed by related facts and illustrated with details from paintings, photographs, and even movie stills, all of which provide fascinating geographical, historical, and archaeological tidbits. These heavily illustrated books are guaranteed to give young people a leg up on high school and college English classes with their vivid re-creations of cruel, horrific, and romantic European worlds.?John Sigwald, Unger Memorial Library, Plainview, TXCopyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Hugo's standard is being reprinted to tie in with the Disney animated feature. Though the average kid is not likely to wade through this epic, Hyperion's illustrated edition is actually quite nice if you're looking for a quality hardcover at a good price.Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From AudioFile
Set in fifteenth-century Paris, Hugo's powerful novel evokes medieval life as it tells of the doomed love of Quasimodo, the grotesque bell-ringer at the Cathedral of Notre Dame, for Esmeralda, the beautiful gypsy. Bill Homewood's vibrant performance captures the passion of Hugo's characters in his spellbinding narration. Whether he's thundering Frollo's lust or bellowing Quasimodo's despair, Homewood's strong voice reveals the emotions of the characters with skill and confidence. Fine liner notes include information about Hugo and a list of the classical music skillfully selected for the narrative transitions. P.B.J. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine


From Kirkus Reviews
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (40 pp.; $15.95; Sept. 1997; 0-531- 30055-2): A storybook retelling of Hugo's classic of the lonely bellringer and his hopeless love for the beautiful gypsy girl, Esmerelda, whom he rescues from hanging and the evil archdeacon Dom Frollo and reunites with her mother. While remaining relatively faithful to the original, this version from Wynne- Jones (The Maestro, 1996, etc.) is always competent, but never compelling. Slavin creates lovely illustrations, but his pale washes leave even the most festive scenes sedate. The volume lacks power or emotion; adults seeking an alternative--any alternative--to the Disney film may find that this one hardly competes for the hearts and minds of the target audience. (Fiction. 5-8) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.


Review
?What a beautiful thing Notre-Dame is!? ?Gustave Flaubert


From the Trade Paperback edition.





Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French


Card catalog description
A retelling, based on the film, of how Quasimodo, the hunchbacked bellringer of Notre Dame Cathedral in medieval Paris, saves the beautiful gypsy dancer Esmeralda from being unjustly executed.


From the Publisher
13 1.5-hour cassettes

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Set in medieval Paris, Victor Hugo's powerful historical romance The Hunchback of Notre-Dame has resonated with succeeding generations ever since its publication in 1837. It tells the story of the beautiful gypsy Esmeralda, condemned as a witch by the tormented archdeacon Claude Frollo, who lusts after her. Quasimodo, the deformed bell ringer of Notre Dame Cathedral, having fallen in love with the kindhearted Esmeralda, tries to save her by hiding her in the cathedral's tower. When a crowd of Parisian peasants, misunderstanding Quasimodo's motives, attacks the church in an attempt to liberate her, the story ends in tragedy.

FROM THE CRITICS

School Library Journal

Gr 5-12-Amidst the foreboding structure of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris during medieval times, Quasimodo, the hunchbacked bell ringer, watches the city and it's people in awe, yet knowing that he can never belong among them because of his deformed shape. Through an odd turn of events, he finds himself cast in a struggle to save the beautiful gypsy dancer Esmaralda from being unjustly executed. The St. Charles Players in a multicast dramatization uniquely tell this tragic tale of romance and intrigue. Music and background sounds are intertwined with truly dramatic character portrayals to result in a superb "radio theatre" style rendition of this classic tale. Magnificent emphasis to detail makes this a must have for middle or high school libraries. Students will be enthralled by the excellent telling of this tale.-Tammy E. Snipes, Great Falls High School, SC Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

AudioFile

Step back into the 1400s, when life is full of superstition and mystery and a hunchback haunts Notre Dame Cathedral. As the Gypsy Girl enchants the heart of the hunchback and the priest vies for her love, the cast of The St. Charles Players brings the sights and sounds of medieval France to life. Victor Hugo's classic tale of love and devotion gains dimension and passion with the addition of music and sound effects. The adaptation provides a well-flavored taste of the classic tale. M.B.K. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine

AudioFile - Paul B. Janeczko