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Summary: Safety Pin! (You read book, you'll understand)
Review: I fell in love with the musical The Phantom of the Opera (Andrew Lloyd Weber) Years ago and it wasn't until recently that I really wanted to know more about this story of a love striken masked man and the beatiful Christine who won his heart. Well written, fast moving plot, great storyline, it seems Gaston Leroux was planning that this book become a movie! I got the book a couple days ago and succcessfully finished reading it within the course of two days! It's that GOOD! It has many loveable characters, but the character of Erik (phantom) is very complex! Sometimes you love him, sometimes you hate him, and other times, you pity him! The ending is terribly sad and you crave more, but it also makes you wonder...was the Opera ghost real? Great book and I strongly suggest you read it!
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Summary: I HEART ERIK
Review: I bought this book on a whim and read it when I had nothing better to do, and it exceeded my expectations by far! Its one of my favorite books, and at fourteen, I've read quite a lot. The 19th century atmosphere didn't phase me at all (maybe because I've read Les Miserables?), though I suppose it might be difficult for some. The book was well-crafted. I enjoyed Leroux's style; it was interesting to read it as if it really happened. It made it more relavent; if he had written it as if it were just some random made-up story, I don't think I would have been interested. Some characters were a bit flat, but many were quite good, I thought. Daee (Christine's father- a dead character, but a major one) and Mme Valerius were interesting. I love the managers. The relationship they have with each other and the previous managers is great; I always enjoy reading the bits about them. Madame Giry was wonderful too- I love how she wisely tells everything that she knows (lol). Erik, the Phantom, was a satisfyingly deep and complex character. In fact, he's one of my favorite characters of all time! I find him fascinating. Its very complicated- I had to read it twice to fully understand everything. Its an excellent, exciting, mind-gripping book that made me cry at the end. I would recommend it to anyone.
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Summary: The Phantom of the Opera
Review: I just love the phantom of the opera.It takes place in Paris,France which I would love to see someday.Erik A.K.A the phantom is a outcast,because he was born wrong.I felt so sorry for him that people treat him differently.People called him names like monster,freak,loser.I would treat him with care,respect,treat him as a friend even though his looks are hideous.It doesn't matter what you look like on the outside,all that matters is what's on the inside.At least someone cared for him.That was Christine Daae.But I just loved it.They say the play is just as good as the book.I cried at the end when Christine left Erik,for Raoul.I think that was just sad.But I got really scared when the chandelier came down on them.I would rate this book as a 5 star book!
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Summary: Pretty Good Escapist Literature
Review: I have always been a huge fan of this type of story. Some of my favorite books are adventures form this era like Orczy's The Scarlet Pimpernel, Hope's The Prisoner of Zenda, and Sabatini's Scaramouche. The swashbuckling genre can really make such fun reads. I was expecting a lot from The Phantom of the Opera because it is so famous since the musical, but while I was entertained, I was a little bit disappointed. The novel is entertaining. I truly liked the story of the love between Raoul and Christine. The character of the Erik was so intriguing, and Leroux's atmosphere was pretty good. This can be an extremely enjoyable read for many people, especially those who love the musical. I only thought that the author's narrative techniques seemed a little dated. The historian telling the story really detracts a lot of suspence from the story. Also, certain plot aspects aren't lead up to in any way. I mean all of a sudden, there is this brand new character, the Perian, who knows all about Erik and you briefly get his story. It just doesn't make too much sense. That all said, it was definitely an interesting read. The novel just hit on a few things which happen to annoy me. A lot of people would enjoy this novel, and novels of this genre should not be forgotten.
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Summary: A thriller of a romance!
Review: The Phantom of the Opera incorporates mystery, romance, and horror to create a fascinating story that relates to heart and soul. Don't be fooled by the title of the novel, because it is not only about a scary little phantom that runs around the Paris Opera House, scaring staff, performers, and patrons alike, but a story of love, fate, and the scrutiny of life. The first chapters of the novel are a bit slow for a faced paced reader, but gradually pick up as the novel progresses. As everyone knows the story is set in late 19th century Paris and it's magnificent opera house as the stage, where numerous key scenes take place. Apparently, many performers and staff experience a series of bizarre incidents which become attributed to the "Opera Ghost" a dark, mysterious figure who threatens with violent means if his demands are not met. The story has three central characters-Christine Daae, the beautiful young opera singer, the Viscount de Chagny (Raoul), who has been in love with Christine since their childhood, and lastly, the Phantom (Erik), who is a horribly disfigured but musical genius, obsessed with winning the affection of Christine which he desires so much. Eric disguises himself as "the Angel of Music," which allows him to gain her trust when his vocal lessons bring out the passion in her voice and the envy of her peers. When his love is turned down and his face is unmasked, the dark side of Eric-a.k.a the Phantom-is revealed to her. This love torn relationship would arise a conflict when Christine, Raoul, and Eric are confronted by their feelings and the understanding that only one man can have her love. In the end, there is a sense of sympathy that is understandable for the pain which the Phantom has endured. I found Leroux's literary style sometimes confusing, since he alternates writing in the 3rd person (as the omniscient narrator) and the first person--with several different characters telling their own stories. However, a creative use of similes and descriptions instantly create a vision of the events throughout the story, and a touch of comedy here and there help distance all the drama, which can be overwhelming at times. The story is very believable and reputedly based on actual facts that Leroux researched himself. Overall, The Phantom of the Opera is a classic masterpiece and it is no wonder that it was made into a Broadway musical! "Beware if you venture into his realm beneath the opera house, for you enter a grim and dangerous domain; to step into the phantom's territory is to challenge his will and endanger your life and your sanity. To gaze into the lifeless eyes of death is an eternal horror which will ensnare you forever!"
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Summary: excellent story
Review: the story was quite well-written. i love the tone of the narrator...and leroux quite mastered the art of suspense. it was very enojyable, and i believe it went at a perfect pace. the plot was great, and one can not help but form a connection with "poor, unhappy erik"..or the "opera ghost". the reason i chose to give it only 4 stars is because, as hard as i tried, i could not interest myself in raoul and christine's love affair. they did not intrigue me in the least...and i was quite indifferent towards them. other than that it was an excellent read.
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Summary: "His voice filled my spirit with a strange, sweet sound!"
Review: Oh my god! I love this book! Its just so scary! I brought it to my friend's sleepover and read the part when the Phantom takes Christine to his house in the vaults of the Opera house, and they fell in love with it! I would recommend it to anyone!
P.S.If you dont cry after you read the last chapter, you have a heart of stone!
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Summary: "...nothing can hold Erick back, not even Erick himself."
Review: I haven't read the original traslation but I can tell you that it is fabulous! If you say that it has nothing to do with the musical and so is [bad], you are so wrong cos the musical was inspired by this in the first place. I would like to mention one fact. Erick's mask is made of black silk that covers his entire face except the forehead and not a white halfmask. Erick aka the phantom, is very very talented. he is extremely skilled in singing, playing the violin, making trapdoors, and of couse throwing the deadly punjab lasso. And he has an ironic sense of humour too. you should have seen him talk to the daroga, "Then she kissed me for the first time,here, on the forehead-- don't look, daroga-- on my forehead . DOn't look daroga." His mask was off while speaking to the daroga at that time and was very weak of, you guessed it, love. Even at that time he still had the sense of humour one could only aquire after being exposed to so much regection (I don't think you would have much humour within you if you were subjected to the way he had been treated). If you think he is some kind of weakling to hide away underground and "bully" the managers, what would you have done in his position. I'll bet you would have gone and killed yourself, even more cowardly. He just was'nt given enough chance to prove himself as the prodigy he really was. If you are'nt the kind of [person] who can not apreciate this kind of book (like some classmates I know), read this and you will definately be reading the book over and over and over again.
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Summary: to: Horrible, May 24, 2002
Review: This is the original text-Leroux is the original author. It is what all of the plays and made-for-tv movies were based from.
Rating: 
Summary: Horrible
Review: Don't Buy This.If you are looking for the real Phantom Of The Opera,you have not found it.This is just some small 50 page book that leaves all that is great about Leroux's book out.First off,it is told from Erik's point of view and gives all the major plot points out at the begining and that takes away from the whole mystery that the original novel was based on.Go and search again for the ACTUAL novel!
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