The world's best-loved children's stories set in large type for easy reading. -- Over 100 illustrations in each book The world's best-loved children's stories set in large type for easy reading. -- Over 100 illustrations in each book
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The Hunchback of Notre Dame
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The world's best-loved children's stories set in large type for easy reading. -- Over 100 illustrations in each book The world's best-loved children's stories set in large type for easy reading. -- Over 100 illustrations in each book
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Evelyn –
Obviously the original gets 5 stars and is superb in all ways. My review here is more for the Great Illustrated Classics series in general. If you are looking for good children's adaptations of classic works, these are a pretty good place to start. They keep to the original storyline, as much as possible (not all children's adaptations do...in which case, why not let them watch the disney version and be done with it?) They also have a picture on every page (or nearly in some of them) which my yo Obviously the original gets 5 stars and is superb in all ways. My review here is more for the Great Illustrated Classics series in general. If you are looking for good children's adaptations of classic works, these are a pretty good place to start. They keep to the original storyline, as much as possible (not all children's adaptations do...in which case, why not let them watch the disney version and be done with it?) They also have a picture on every page (or nearly in some of them) which my younger kids like. All that said, this series does have a few shortcomings. First, in every single one I've read, there have been horrendous editing mistakes and typos. Second, they do not attempt to keep any of the author's original style or language. These books are simply to introduce the child to the plotline and characters of the original (which does of course have merit, it makes reading the original a lot easier later on when they are already familiar with the story). Also, once in a while you might come upon a character taking the Lord's name in vain, but I just edit this to a 'my goodness' or whatever when I'm reading to my kids, and my older ones obviously know to edit it when they are reading to themselves. I recommend this series in general, however for some classics there are better children's adaptations available.
Ryne –
I read the original Hunchback novel (or most of it, anyway) during a family road trip, but I was too young to grasp a lot of it, or remember most of it. As many reviewers have no doubt noted, the Disney film had set up my initial expectations, but those were quickly subverted...especially my main impression, which is that (view spoiler)[Phoebus is a huge dirtbag (hide spoiler)] . For real. These are great for introducing kids to the classics, and they might eventually go on to read the real classi I read the original Hunchback novel (or most of it, anyway) during a family road trip, but I was too young to grasp a lot of it, or remember most of it. As many reviewers have no doubt noted, the Disney film had set up my initial expectations, but those were quickly subverted...especially my main impression, which is that (view spoiler)[Phoebus is a huge dirtbag (hide spoiler)] . For real. These are great for introducing kids to the classics, and they might eventually go on to read the real classics for themselves in their fullness!
Miriam –
I read this when I was 9 and I was so touched by it that I was crying. I ended up writing a letter to Quasimodo in my journal telling him that if I lived in his time I would be his friend, etc. I then studied the Notre Dame Cathedral for weeks: read books, put together 3D puzzles, etc. It really touched my heart by the sadness of the story and helped me think about how I can make a difference in the lives of people around me by my words and actions.
Christy –
Don’t underestimate this series! It’s a great way to get an overview of a classic, and decide whether you want to slog through the original or not. In this case, I decided on “not.” I actually did read the original once, as a teenager, but I didn’t remember much of the plot--only that the book had a terrible ending. (Some of the movie versions have Esmerelda getting off, but it doesn’t happen here.) The quick overview reminded me of all the wretched details, and I left it at that.
Đinh Anh Phương –
Not until now have I done reading the plot of this famous story (I'm 21 now), and I'm astonished since Disney created a movie for children out of this tragedy. Moral of the story in my opinion: learn to let go and move on from people you love but do not love you back, or have gone for so long. Just don't spend your life in rage, jealousy and bitterness. Not until now have I done reading the plot of this famous story (I'm 21 now), and I'm astonished since Disney created a movie for children out of this tragedy. Moral of the story in my opinion: learn to let go and move on from people you love but do not love you back, or have gone for so long. Just don't spend your life in rage, jealousy and bitterness.
Arjun –
This was another book I read while in school. At that time my naive self believed that this was the original book. Now I know that what I read was an illustrated book for children. But I guess this was a good pick considering my age at that time.
Steven Jerris –
This book was a easy read. I really liked it, and I thought It was a good story. It also had a good amount of pages.
Meahgan –
I've never read the original version by Victor Hugo. I think I will be doing that. This was a good introduction for my 8 year-old. I've never read the original version by Victor Hugo. I think I will be doing that. This was a good introduction for my 8 year-old.
Marcelaine –
I read Les Miserables and really liked it. I am finding that this book has the same issues as Les Miserables. When he's actually telling the story, it's great and I can't put it down. But then he starts telling about architecture or trivial, boring things, and I just can't seem to pay attention--unfortunately, these parts seem to last for a hundred pages every time. Maybe some people like that, but I'm having a hard time with it. Like I said, I love the book when it gets to the actual story agai I read Les Miserables and really liked it. I am finding that this book has the same issues as Les Miserables. When he's actually telling the story, it's great and I can't put it down. But then he starts telling about architecture or trivial, boring things, and I just can't seem to pay attention--unfortunately, these parts seem to last for a hundred pages every time. Maybe some people like that, but I'm having a hard time with it. Like I said, I love the book when it gets to the actual story again, but the other stuff is tough to get through. This and Les Miserables are two of the only books where I would recommend choosing the abridged version. And for some reason I feel like I need to make it clear that I'm reading the unabridged version (actually, listening to the unabridged version on CD in the car), not the great illustrated classics version. If I were reading the GIC version, I would have finished it in a day. I'm just having a hard time finding the actual Hunchback of Notre Dame in the midst of all the Disney books with the same title or words. Update: Okay, definitely not like the Disney movie. I didn't go into the book expecting that, of course, but they took like three things from the book and made an entirely different story for the Disney version. Phoebus is not the kind and noble character from the movie, that's for sure. What a selfish jerk. Not that I'm that impressed with La Esmeralda's intelligence either. Also, even the story parts are getting tedious. I bet this book would have been better if it were about 300 pages. Another update: Frollo is lame. La Esmeralda is lame. I wish she would stop saying, "Oh, my Phoebus." Would it be that hard to say, "Look, there's this guy that's been stalking me forever. I don't know who he is, but he's the one who killed Phoebus." I've been rolling my eyes a lot lately as I listen to this book. Granted, the reader on the CD isn't great, but it's largely the text. Another update: I've given up for a while. Maybe forever. I think I've read enough, except I kind of want to find out how everyone dies.
J –
I made one of my bucketlist goals to re-read the classics, which I can't stand. Most are too wordy, somewhat irrelevant, too ridiculous and hard to swallow while you need to be glued to some type of reference material to be able to understand what you are reading. And no the Disney movies of the classics mostly bore me as well depending on the exact film. Anyway there was no definite amount of literature necessary to be read and so I chose to go with a hundred classics along with my normal read I made one of my bucketlist goals to re-read the classics, which I can't stand. Most are too wordy, somewhat irrelevant, too ridiculous and hard to swallow while you need to be glued to some type of reference material to be able to understand what you are reading. And no the Disney movies of the classics mostly bore me as well depending on the exact film. Anyway there was no definite amount of literature necessary to be read and so I chose to go with a hundred classics along with my normal reading pile before next April. Upon researching various classics that I can put into my reading list I have noticed that not everyone considers the same books as classics such as "Black Beauty" seems to be missing from many lists. Anyway this is #17. First of all the Disney version was interesting but definitely like most other novel-based movies truly not the same. I still like how they made Esmeralda in the movie pretty, the hunchback was acceptable and some of the beautiful music, which was playing in my head a bit while I read this book. Strange combination..... Anyway I had read "The Hunchback" once and it was okay while now getting a chance to read this version I can say that I truly like it. The writing is simple, easy to understand and the story has been cleaned up in its presentation to the reader so it moves fast in the giving of the plot then the conclusion. You are able to actually keep your spot without trying to flip back through to see where the path split off. Meanwhile some of the pictures weren't exactly on the matching side while Esmeralda was drawn too old looking for her near tender age of 16. But otherwise it did add to the story. So if you are a non-classic fan like me I would definitely recommend reading this one if you are required to. Or if you are just getting into the classics for the first time and need something that isn't hard to digest again this would be a wonderful book to get your hands on.....
Tim Sormin –
NOTE: This is a super short, Illustrated "children's" version of The Hunchback. It's only something like 120 pages long, but although it's obviously HUGELY edited down from the original it sticks to the original plot unlike some *cough-Disney-cough* versions. I loved the story so much that I started reading the full, 1200 page version... God I hate wading through the mass of words in 19th century books. Still, it was good until I fell asleep on the GO train one day and then woke up with a start NOTE: This is a super short, Illustrated "children's" version of The Hunchback. It's only something like 120 pages long, but although it's obviously HUGELY edited down from the original it sticks to the original plot unlike some *cough-Disney-cough* versions. I loved the story so much that I started reading the full, 1200 page version... God I hate wading through the mass of words in 19th century books. Still, it was good until I fell asleep on the GO train one day and then woke up with a start and hopped of the train without my book. I think I was about 50 pages into it and they still hadn't even introduced the Hunchback yet :)
carmen –
i originally thought about rating it three stars but i’m giving it a four because this is a book that i hold dear to me. i’ve not read the original version before but after going on wikipedia, it looks like this adapted version is more or less accurate in terms of the events and characters. in general, this whole story is just really sad and i don’t think I can ever forget it.
Brooke –
Story was easy to follow along. It took away the complicated characters and vocabulary from the real version. I didn't love the repetitive phrases and descriptions, they could've done a better job. But it's a good introduction to the story. Story was easy to follow along. It took away the complicated characters and vocabulary from the real version. I didn't love the repetitive phrases and descriptions, they could've done a better job. But it's a good introduction to the story.
Tini2510 –
This book is totally different from the cartoon I watched on T.V. Actually, I don't like its ending, so sad! Poor Quasimodo! The girl he loved didn't love him but another lie guy. He did all his best to protect her but all were nonsense.... This book is totally different from the cartoon I watched on T.V. Actually, I don't like its ending, so sad! Poor Quasimodo! The girl he loved didn't love him but another lie guy. He did all his best to protect her but all were nonsense....
Dustin –
I am rating the simplified version a little lower because I think it loses a lot of its nuance but I still think the same lessons from the story can be gleaned. The kids stayed very interested reading this version
Natia –
Great book. It was kind of hard to give the characters a reputation because they were constantly changing. My favorite character was Quasimodo. He may be ugly on the outside, but he is a good person. A lot of hanging and people using daggers and swords. It was a really good book.
Brooke –
Brandon read this in a dramatic way to me. He used some funny voices, especially Quasimodo.
Cws –
JAR5-Hug
Beto –
Great novel by Victor Hugo
Olivia Shelley –
It was almost to dark for me. I loved the meaning though. The book was sad, I wish more good things could have happened in it.
Bri Wedge –
I should've known better than to read the adapted children's version of this story. I'm sure the original book by Hugo is much, much better. I should've known better than to read the adapted children's version of this story. I'm sure the original book by Hugo is much, much better.
Adam Helmintoller –
Rhys Hoy –
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Ezekiel –
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Matt Stieglitz –
Alexander Woods –