Classics To Try

Alright ... I get it ... while there is only a few weeks left, it is still summer vacation.  All you probably want to do is sleep in ... hit Water World or Elitches ... hang with your friends ... maybe even take in a movie or two.  Books are probably pretty low on many of your lists.  BUT just in case ... just on the off chance you are thinking, "Hmmm.  I'd really like to read a book and not just any book, but perhaps a classic of some sort," here is the first AMAZING - MUST READ classic book to add to your list!!

Victor Hugo's The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.  This is truly a great read; HOWEVER, be sure to pick up the abridged edition.  When I first read Hugo's novel I called my sister and asked her to read it as well (always better to read with a friend so you can talk about the book and the characters).  She was having a real difficult time getting into the story and I couldn't figure out why.  Come to find out she was reading the original version which had lots and lots and lots of descriptions in the opening pages and chapters ... descriptions that I had only gotten a glance of as I was reading the shortened version. Hah!  Well, maybe not "hah," but I will admit I am glad I wasn't bogged down with all those words so I could jump into the meat of the story!

The Hunchback of Notre-Dame follows several characters whose lives are interwoven by ... fate?  destiny?  the musings of an author on a given day?  Let's just say the characters range from a priest who really isn't a good guy; a guy who looks all big and bad and scary on the outside, but is actually a good guy; a girl who just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time; and a cathedral ... a massive, beautiful, breathtaking cathedral that sits within the city of Paris, casting its shadow down on all who visit.  The story isn't a happy one.  Not in any shape or form.  But don't let that dissuade you from taking a chance with this tale.  Although the characters do not receive their "happily ever after," some do receive justice and a chance to become more than they thought they ever could.

On a personal note,I was really lucky this summer as I had the chance to actually visit the Notre-Dame Cathedral!  Oh, it is spectacular - a must see for everyone who comes to Paris, France.  Be sure to take the walk up to the towers ... all 400 steps UP and all 400 steps DOWN.  Agh!  Our legs were wobbly jello after that walk!