IAIN KELLY

HUGO

Paris, 1829.

Victor hastened along the snow-covered street.  A warm fireside awaited him. Soon he would be surrounded by dear Adèle and his children, no doubt excited by the late snowfall.

Excusez-moi monsieur, a few francs for a veteran?’ The beggar held out his hand.

Victor drew back, revulsed at the sight of the disfigured man in a tattered uniform, his posture skewed by the unsightly hump growing from his shoulder.

Saying nothing, Victor hurried passed.

Arriving at his front door he paused for a moment and looked fondly, as he always did, at Notre Dame, dominating the skyline, watching over the city below.


winter-street-dale
Copyright Dale Rogerson

Written as part of the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.


My first novel, ‘A Justified State,’ is available now
‘a first class read from start to finish’ – reader review
Amazon.com / Amazon.co.uk / Book Depository
Amazon.in / Amazon.au / Amazon.ca

97 responses to “HUGO”

  1. neilmacdon Avatar

    So that’s where he got the idea!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Possibly… probably not!

      Like

  2. Violet Lentz Avatar

    Very timely piece Iain. Nice write.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Violet

      Like

  3. Varad Avatar

    That was clever!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Varad

      Like

  4. ceayr Avatar

    Nicely topical piece, Iain, though rather harsh on M. Hugo, who created Quasimodo with some sympathy.

    Like

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      This is, of course, fictional, and I like to think he would have pondered on his reaction and then written with sympathy in mind.

      Like

  5. HUGO — Iain Kelly | O LADO ESCURO DA LUA Avatar

    […] via HUGO — Iain Kelly […]

    Like

  6. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Iain,

    Timely piece. An interesting take on Hugo and Quasimodo. Well done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Rochelle – it has been on my mind the last couple of days!

      Like

      1. rochellewisoff Avatar

        As it has been on many of our minds this week. 😦

        Liked by 1 person

  7. Tannille Avatar

    Topical at the moment. I like the contrast between the beggar, Victor and the church (I’m assuming he is Christian and ignoring being charitable).

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you – all fiction of course. Although brought up a devout Catholic Hugo later turned his back on religion, so maybe he was having conflicting thoughts!

      Liked by 1 person

  8. J Hardy Carroll Avatar

    I have a hunch that Victor is heading home to his writing desk!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He may have an idea…!

      Liked by 1 person

  9. granonine Avatar

    Little did he know the iconic building he loved would be burning very soon. Really good use of the prompt.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Well, a few hundred years later, but yes, that’s what makes it such a tragedy, so much history encapsulated in one building.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. patriciaruthsusan Avatar

    This fit right into the recent news, Iain. I imagine Victor saw many poor ex-servicemen around Paris who could have served as models for his hunchback. I like to think he was kinder than this character. He seemed to write with empathy. Well written. —- Suzanne

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I’m sure he was, thanks Suzanne

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Dawn M. Miller Avatar

    Poignant.
    And on another note… I just realized that all these years I have been calling you Lain, when your name is Iain. My apologies. How do you pronounce that?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Haha, don’t worry Dawn, you are by no means the only one! Tends to be in America I think, where Lain is a more common name. Iain is a Scots-Gaelic name (translates to ‘John’ in English), pronounced the same as Ian in English – so ‘e-in’ 🙂

      Like

      1. Dawn M. Miller Avatar

        Wonderful. Thank you!

        Liked by 1 person

  12. athling2001 Avatar

    Great tale and so timely.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Dale Avatar

    I, too, like to think he thought back to his original revulsion to then write a more gentle take on the beloved Quasimodo…
    Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      An atonement of sorts. Thanks Dale

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dale Avatar

        Indeed!

        Liked by 1 person

  14. larry trasciatti Avatar

    I hope the real Victor was a bit more decent than this one. Nice timely literary fiction

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Gosh, we are a soft-hearted bunch! I’m sure he was a decent man, but equally I’m sure he didn’t stop for every single beggar in Paris in the 1800s!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. larry trasciatti Avatar

        No that would be too hard so seen from that point of view he was probably about average

        Liked by 1 person

  15. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar

    A poignant story, well-crafted as always. It takes time to see and to care. The last line made me sad. My family and I stayed up until 3:00 am (Hong Kong time) watching … stunned.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It’s not great, but fortunately it seems it can be restored.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar

        True, at least it will be restored. I’m glad to have visited several times before.

        Liked by 1 person

  16. notestowomen Avatar

    I enjoyed reading this, Iain. I’m a big fan of Victor Hugo. My favorite novel by him is Les Misérables. I too would like to think that he sort of redeemed himself when he wrote about Quasimodo, a gentle and endearing soul. And it’s a timely piece. So devastating and sad about the Notre Dame.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It is such a tragedy, but thankfully one that seems to have been averted from complete destruction

      Liked by 1 person

      1. notestowomen Avatar

        Yes, it’s a relief that it’s not completely destroyed. And there have been pledges to help to rebuild it. On a lighter note, Victor’s wife and I share the same name, although I spell me sans the accent.

        Liked by 1 person

  17. Alice Audrey Avatar
    Alice Audrey

    Ah, an historical piece, I see – since Notre Dame burned down. Poor hunchback doesn’t even have a home left.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      That’s true, hope Quasimodo is okay!

      Like

  18. Susan A Eames Avatar

    Such a clever way to use the Paris disaster, Iain. Well done.

    Susan A Eames at
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Susan

      Like

  19. Jewel Ingalls Avatar

    Great theme! Prayers in Paris.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Jewel

      Liked by 1 person

  20. msjadeli Avatar

    There is no escape from the dual nature of humans. So sad he cherishes a building more than the well-being of a human in need. Good story.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      There is some parallel in the amount of money pledged by rich billionaires to restore Notre Dame, but they don’t seem willing to place the same value on human tragedy around the world – although I think the real Hugo was far from that sort of person in real life.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. msjadeli Avatar

        Do you think he was just blind?

        Liked by 1 person

  21. lindamaycurry Avatar

    Maybe there will be a renewed interest in reading or rereading the H of ND. I wonder will Hugo see the beggar again and ask him his story?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It certainly may spark some inspiration. It is a great novel.

      Like

  22. aheartforafrica641064503 Avatar
    aheartforafrica641064503

    Great take on the prompt, Iain and nice mention of one of Hugo’s classics. I liked that you mentioned Notre Dame. Hugo’s fondness for it is shared by many.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It certainly is, as we have seen this week.

      Like

  23. 4963andypop Avatar

    We thought along similar lines this week, as did half the world, I think. I like how the seed of this story was planted by a chance encounter. And how trueit is, that it is easier to be kind to strangers in our imaginations, than in real life.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I imagine we all probably think we are nicer than we actually act!

      Liked by 1 person

  24. anuragbakhshi Avatar

    It’s such a tragedy, Paris doesn’t seem to be able to catch a break over the last few years. Its one of our favourite cities, and during our first and only visit there, my wife and I decided that we HAVE to come back again to do it justice. Don’t know when it will happen now.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I do look forward to returning to Paris again soon, it is a magnificent city.

      Liked by 1 person

  25. draliman Avatar

    A chance encounter leads to a novel…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      If only it were that easy…!

      Liked by 1 person

  26. Jennie Avatar

    Nice, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Jennie

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Jennie Avatar

        You’re welcome, Iain.

        Liked by 1 person

  27. Bear Avatar
    Bear

    A nicely sad tribute. We have lost a grand piece of history, indeed!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      We have, hopefully it can be saved.

      Liked by 1 person

  28. Abhijit Ray Avatar

    So Victor met with his hunch back!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Inspiration comes in all forms.

      Liked by 1 person

  29. joyroses13 Avatar

    What a great story for right now. Well done! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  30. James McEwan Avatar

    I believe you have captured both the topical mood around the Notre-Dame fire and the sentiments of Victor Hugo. His upbringing as an ‘Army Brat’ shaped his human right attitudes and hardened his views against Napoleon. His reaction to the veteran beggar in a tattered uniform is to me understanable and perhaps a prelude to his change of heart in Les Miserables.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Exactly, his views changed considerably between his two masterpieces

      Liked by 1 person

  31. plaridel Avatar

    a timely story. well-written as usual.

    Liked by 1 person

  32. theministryofshrawleywalks Avatar

    Good stuff Iain as ever and incredibly poignant with the awful news from this week. Like the bionic man they will rebuild, they have the technology. I imagine the new Notre Dame will be a sight to behold, when done. Paris rocks!! Vive la France

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Hopefully the new roof will be fireproof!

      Like

  33. Laurie Bell Avatar

    Aha! Fascinating. Amazing how great ideas just come to us. Haha

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      If only they came to me so easily! 🙂

      Like

  34. Anita Avatar

    Totally believable story till the last line brings in the void-
    I am really sorry for Notre Dame.
    We cannot afford to lose our heritage monuments.

    Out Of Sight & Out Of This World – Anita

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Absolutely, they tell us so much about the past.

      Like

  35. gahlearner Avatar
    gahlearner

    Very clever, Iain. Maybe Victor met the beggar more than once and had second thoughts about him–then hit his writing desk. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      That would be the ideal outcome 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  36. deborahsdeliberations Avatar
    deborahsdeliberations

    A wonderful story about a great author and the beggar who was the inspiration for a beloved character. And I liked that you mentioned Notre Dame.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much – certainly an inspirational place.

      Like

  37. Margaret Avatar

    Very good. It’s fascinating how life and fiction are interwoven. I like how you’ve explored the links here.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Margaret, nothing is truly original after all, we’re all influenced by what is around us – perhaps not quite as directly as this!

      Liked by 1 person

  38. subroto Avatar

    Very clever indeed. But probably a true story. Was dinner served by his maid Esmeralda?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Or perhaps that was the name of the cat 😉

      Like

  39. magarisa Avatar

    Victor’s revulsion at the hunchback was palpable – very well-written! His novel could very well have been inspired by such an encounter. An excellent, timely take on the prompt.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Who knows! Thanks 🙂

      Like

  40. Fatima Fakier Avatar

    A nice tribute to the cathedral and a classic tale!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Like

  41. michael1148humphris Avatar
    michael1148humphris

    A thoughtful piece, and sadly now evil has visited Sri Lanka.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It seems there is no end to it Michael

      Like

  42. Lynn Love Avatar

    A wonderfully imaginative take on the prompt and on the inception of Quasimodo. Great writing as always and as others have said, so timely

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Lynn

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Lynn Love Avatar

        My pleasure

        Liked by 1 person

  43. Rachel Bjerke Avatar

    Creative, timely and clever. And very well done.

    -Rachel

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much Rachel

      Like

  44. Dawn Quyle Landau Avatar

    Oh how my heart aches for the loss! I love how you wove Victor and Adele Hugo into this, Lain! Bravo!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Dawn

      Liked by 1 person

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.