Victor Hugo (1802 – 1885) was a prolific French writer and poet during the Napoleonic era. Hugo was a young child when Napoleon
became the French Emperor in 1804. His mother was devoutly Catholic but as Hugo grew older, he became more and more disillusioned with the Church. His later writings increasingly embodied an anti Catholic Church theme. His father was a loyal officer in Napoleon’s army, but Hugo also opposed Napoleon and he was a
political dissident. He even spent 15 years in exile on the British Channel Island of Guernsey. Many of his writings were also political statements against the political leaders of the time.
Outside of France, his poetry is not widely known or read. Also, many of his novels are largely forgotten today. He is best known for his two finest works, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and “Les
Miserables”. Some of his other famous works include “The Toilers of the Sea”, and “The Last Days of a Condemned Man”.
The “Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1831) takes place in the 15th century and describes the life of Quasimodo, a deformed hunchback who lives in the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Quasimodo is taken in by a conflicted and flawed Catholic priest, Claude Frollo. This book is an attack on the Catholic Church. The depiction of Archdeacon Frollo and the Church is less than favorable.
“Les Miserables” (1862) took 17 years to plan and write. It is a novel about social injustice in 19th century France. The story strongly criticizes the political and religious leadership of the time. It was highly popular when written although due to its political undertones, it received strong criticism by the establishment.
“The Toilers of the Sea” (1866) details a fisherman on Hugo’s adapted home island of Guernsey. The story depicts a poor fisherman who falls in love with a shipping heiress. In order to win her love, he repairs a damaged vessel owned by her wealthy father.
“The Last Days of a Condemned Man” (1829) depicts the final few prison days of a man sentenced to death on the guillotine. This work is a protest novel about the use of capital punishment in early 19th century France.
Some of Hugo’s works have been adapted to cinema. “The Toilers of the Sea” has been adapted several times, including a 1956 version that starred Rock Hudson as the protagonist. “Les Miserables” was adapted no less than 30 times, but “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” is possibly the most adapted story of all time. It has been made into numerous television, movie and animated features. “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” is without doubt, his finest work.
At the age of 83, Victor Hugo died in Paris due to complications from infections. Along with Jules Verne and Alexendre Dumas, Victor Hugo is one of France’s most famous classical authors.
Mark Askeda