The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo, translated by Isabel F. Hapgood, is a classic novel set in 15th-century Paris. It follows the tragic tale of Quasimodo, the deformed bell ringer of Notre Dame, and his love for the beautiful gypsy, Esmeralda. The story intertwines themes of love, social injustice, and fate, exploring the lives of complex characters against the backdrop of a changing society. Hugo’s vivid portrayal of Paris and its gothic architecture enhances the emotional depth of this timeless work.