The novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame shot to the top of Amazon in France’s best-seller list Tuesday, the day after a fire ripped through the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
The book held the number-one spot on the French version of Amazon’s website as of Tuesday afternoon, with an English translation of the novel listed as No. 1 in the category of historical fiction.
The 1831 novel by French writer and poet Victor Hugo is set in 15th-century Paris and tells the tale of Quasimodo, the deformed bell ringer of the cathedral. After it was published, the book helped buoy support for a huge renovation of the famed church in the 19th century.
Monday’s fire tore through the roof of the massive building, causing its iconic 300-foot spire to collapse. Four hundred firefighters battled the blaze, with the chaplain rushing in to save precious artifacts contained within the cathedral, including a crown of thorns said to be worn by Jesus Christ.
Authorities announced Tuesday morning that the fire was extinguished. Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the inferno.
[Opinion: Yes, cry for Notre Dame]
