The Hunchback of Notre Dame

So, the first half of the book I wasn't feeling it.  I had Disney's version in my mind and this was just not the same.  I struggled through the long chapter on the architecture of Paris.  It seems a theme with classics to educate as well as entertain the reader, which is all fine, but the education generally requires determined wading to get through. However, I will say I was, I guess, intrigued by the reality that the city had such a long history preceding the books time of setting (the 1400's).  Living in a country that has a 200 year documented history and buildings of lesser age than that, a reader can be left dumbfounded at the description of 200 year old building that would now be 600 years older. (I assume Notre Dame still stands.)  Amazing to think of it.
But anyway, about halfway through I began to come round, although I was still unconvinced by the crazed actions invoked simply by beauty. I am always frustrated at the thought of men losing their heads with passion at the mere sight of a pretty girl.  She could be awful, spiteful, controlling, money hungry and an unforgivable snob and yet a dance and a pretty face has men falling at a woman's feet. In a way it is realistic, but I felt like it was overplayed.  But finally, as the action built and I began to fear for the characters, I accepted the caricature that was the archdeacon.  The Hunchback's behaviour seemed more realistic, but then an outlandish character leaves more room for acceptance of out of the ordinary behaviour I suppose. Looking back I think my being slow to warm to the book came from seeing the characters as realistic.  A nice church leader taking in a poor orphan.  A pretty young girl.  A writer.  A grief stricken mother who had lost her child.  I wanted a real story. Not a fairy tale.  But when I think about i,t the whole story screamed fairy tale.  If I had accepted this sooner I would have sunk into the journey of the story much sooner I think.
The finale is I guess what moved this book to the rank of classic.  An unbelievable ending that seemed to be inevitable but still completely unacceptable.