Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame [Hardcover Book]

Description

“Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame” is actually an adaptation of Victor Hugo’s classic novel “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.” While Disney’s animated film takes inspiration from Hugo’s work, it is not a direct adaptation but rather a reinterpretation tailored for a family-friendly audience.

Victor Hugo’s “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame,” originally published in French as “Notre-Dame de Paris” in 1831, tells the story of Quasimodo, a hunchbacked bell-ringer of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, and his tragic love for the beautiful gypsy woman Esmeralda. The novel is set against the backdrop of 15th-century Paris and explores themes of love, obsession, fate, and societal injustice.

Disney’s adaptation, released in 1996, incorporates elements of Hugo’s story but simplifies the plot, adds musical numbers, and alters the tone to make it suitable for a younger audience. While the Disney film retains some of the darker themes of the original work, it focuses more on themes of acceptance, tolerance, and the power of love and compassion.

Both Hugo’s novel and Disney’s film adaptation have left a lasting impact on popular culture, with each offering its own unique interpretation of the timeless tale.