The Hunchback of Notre Dame The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a story of unrequited lovewritten by Victor Hugo. Esmeralda is a beautiful young gypsy who captures the hearts ofmany men. Captain Phoebus-a handsome soldier, Pierre Gringoire-apoor struggling poet, Claude Frollo-the Archdeacon of Notre Dame,and Quasimodo-a hunchback bell-ringer of Notre Dame, are all inlove with Esmeralda. But her heart beats for Captain Phoebus. Thestory takes a dramatic turn when Esmeralda is arrested andsentenced to death for murdering Phoebus. At the time of herexecution, Quasimodo rescues her and takes her into the Notre Damecathedral. There, he protects her and even fights with Frollo, hisadoptive father, to save her. This is a gripping story of spiritual love. The stylishrealistic illustrations in the book are edgy and contemporary butnot without the charm that is essentially classic