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Summary: Review #1, Phantom of the Opera
Review: I would strongly advise those intrigued by the "Phantom of the Opera" to read foremost this novel, Monsieur Leroux's original masterpiece. The classical language invites warmly the reader into a 19th century setting and its analogously antiquated characters. The book itself is very direct in the traditional motif of its day, a love triangle; the Opera Ghost and the Vicomte adored their commonly beloved with an affection so great that it is divinely pure. I must remark here that, regrettably, this sort of "pure" love is rare to find in literature, especially in contemporary works where erotic consummation is often the substitute for an emotion that, in its true form, should instead be a devotion of tenderness.
Above all, the book, in its elaborate melodrama, neglects not to be overt in its central message. For in truth the "horror" of the story is not obvious ugliness of the Opera Ghost, but instead the abstruse yet awful bigotry that is unconsciously attributed to, in any civilization, anyone or anything deviant from the normal. I found myself deeply touched by all the niceties of psychological attributes in the story, many of which are cleverly hinted. The ending of story, however tragic, is a fitting close to a tale that must not be deprived of its intriguing sorrow and thus that crucial moment of redemption.
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Summary: Well written and underappreciated
Review: Hearing so much about the movie and play, I decided to read the Gaston Leroux's novel. Leroux's story is a scattering of many different types fit together in a novel: it has romance, horror, suspense, mystery and is (loosely) historically based on events which took place at Paris' Majestic Opera House. The book is historically based on a tragic and mysterious death of an opera singer at Paris' Majestic Opera House. Leroux did some research in preparing to write this novel, and some tidbits of background into this event are in the book's introduction. The novel's story has three central characters-Christine Daae, the beautiful opera singer, the Vicomte de Chagny (Raoul), who is in love with Christine from her childhood, and lastly, the Phantom (Erik), who is horribly disfigured and obsessed with music and Christine. Reminiscent of a murder mystery, the novel's story is centered on the mystery of an Opera ghost that has caused havoc in one of the popular Paris Opera houses. After several murders, the Opera Ghost has ordered demands from the co-managers of the Opera House in the form of a letter, which many take to be a joke. However, after several more bizarre incidents, including an incident in which the chandelier falls on a guest during a show, many of those involved in the business of the house begin to suspect that something must be behind this. Eventually Erik, the Opera Ghost, becomes obsessed with Christine and imprisons her in many ways. Leroux's writing is refreshing. It reminded me a bit of a work written in the tradition of Sherlock Holmes mysteries, yet there is a definite supernatural elements included to give it a dark, mysterious feel as well. Leroux is able to lay out the story, make the characters well rounded and believable, and then intertwine all the unusual events in a neat conclusion. This is a well written and, for the most part, overlooked work. Fortunately, eventually someone decided to make a movie about this book in the 1920s, and since that time, the book has been give at least a little of the recognition that it deserves. Recommended also: The Hound of the Baskervilles
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Summary: The Mad Man And The Angel
Review: But who really is mad in the story? It's sometimes hard to tell, considering how complex the plot, and characters can get at times.
The Phantom of the Opera is not considered as a classic novel. Obviously because of Webber's dark and intrenching musical version of the story.
However, the original book gives new layers to people who have seen the musical, but have never read the book.
Though better I believe is the edition PHANTOM written by Susan Kay. She even goes deeper into Erik's character, and gives him even more justice, and back ground then we could ever imagined.
Even though I am grateful for the popularity that the Phantom of the Opera is enjoying in the twentieth through the twenty-first century. I can understand why it failed to captured the majority interest when it first came out published.
It's almost as if today's reader's understand it better and are eager to read it, and many other versions of the story.
One thing I noticed was the somewhat lack of character development and history for even Erik, and Christine.
This is were Kay's novel come in,
I would suggest reading the original novel first and then read PHANTOM, that way you can understand, and enjoy it so much more.
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Summary: Everything that is undergrund belongs to him!
Review: Wow--is this novel for real? It reads like a 20's silent movie, yet it hooks you, capturing your imagination right from the
start. You may think you know the story from the 90's musical and various movie versions, but you can't really Know it until you read the original. This is the French contribution to the Gothic Novels of the late 19th century: Bram Stoker's Dracula, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, and R.L. Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll and Hr. Hyde--the British triumvirate of Horror. PHANTOM represents the epitome of Theatre of the macabre; in fact this story is actually set inside a theater--the Paris Opera. But
this particular opera house is haunted by the self-proclaimed Opera Ghost, whose reign of terror exceeds mere parlor tricks. His talents incude abduction, dispassionate but brutal murder,
and extortion--both financial and entrepreneurial. The Directors
are his frustrated pawns, but no one is safe from his vile, utterly selfish schemes. Since the story is so well known, I will not recapitulate the plot--just recreate the below-the-stage setting. We gradually glimpse a subterranean kingdom ruled by a vicious madman, who skulks in darkness because his face is so horribly disfigured that mankind shuns his presence. Those unfortunate individuals who happen to catch a glimpse of him refer to a Death's Head; indeed his favorite costume is from
Poe's "Mask of the Red Death." Of course we have the beautiful but typically helpless young heroine, Christine, the Swedish singer whose career he has taken into his gloved hand. The triangle is completed by the ardent but reckless Count de Chagny, who has loved her since childhood. Luckily for the couple they acquire a curious ally known only as the Persian, who relates the amoral history of the masked madman below-boards. I found Leroux's literary style confusing, however, since he takes great and frequent liberties with time. He alernates writing in the 3rd person (as the omnisicent narrator) and the first person--with Two different characters telling their own stories. (We need a scorecord to distinguish between the two I's.) In addition the prologue and epiloque to the 26 chapters are written by Leroux's amateur detective, Rouletabille, who outwits both criminals and the Paris police by the use of brilliant, Holmesian deduction. Leroux neatly ties up most of the loose threads for us, but we do wonder how the Phantom accomplishes all those fascinating sleight-of-hand tricks which baffle the Directors. Only the Persian fully understands his evil past; only sweet Christine finds compassion for the phantom; only Raoul risks all to save his beloved. Beware if you venture into his realm beneath the opera house, for you enter a grim and dangerous dommain; to step into the phantom's territory is to challenge his will and endanger your life and poissibly your sanity. Timeless Horror which will ensnare you.
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Summary: Different
Review: The original copy of The Phantom of the Opera sets it aside from the broadway glamour that generally accompanies the title. In the book Gaston Leroux writes the book from a historical background but still let's the imagination run free. Gaston Leroux uses a perfect blend of fact and fiction in telling the sad story of Erik, a horribly disfigured man both physically and mentally, who falls in love with the lovely Christine. Christine is a simple chorus girl in one of the most famous opera houses in Paris. With the help of Erik, her angel of music, she begins to shine as the prima donna. Erik however has alterior motives. After the spotlight shines down on Christine, Erik's true self begins to show as he takes Christine and all those who care for her on a wild ride in through the maze of catacombs underneath the opera house.
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Summary: A Wonderful Masquerade
Review: The character developement in this book is absolutely excellent. I would recommend it to anyone who wanted a good thriller, an interesting love story, or who wanted to know more about the characters in the musical.
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Summary: A real horror story at last!
Review: The story had an undoubtedly spine-tingling effect on me as no classic horror had ever had. For one thing, the story is fast-paced, loaded with facsinating mysteries that provokes the reader to wonder about his or her theory of this undoubtedly complete masterpiece. The beautifully woven language smoothes out the plot and the constant change of emotions just stops the reader from breathing, but makes them exhale and inhale instead. The reader is at times filled with grief and horror at the ugliness of Erik, and yet could not help but admire his ways of living, and pity his life. Such achievement is not to be missed. Some would be apalled by Christine and her cute fiance's misunderstanding, and others, having read more romance novels, will claim that there is something more to such true love. It is such characteristics that creat our mixed feelings combined that makes this story exciting and thrilling from beginning to end--where love leaves its mark by different ways throughout different parts of the story. And it is such true love, no different, and each no weaker than the other competing for the same woman at the same time that makes love more dangerous than a demon, and more interesting for the reader. Yet the story, in a way, does not end like other such Gothic romances, in a way, the story's ending is both happy and sad. Erik had got the only kiss of his life even though he died. Even though Christine did not love him as she did Raoul, she was the most compassionate person toward him. And Raoul, through many difficulties, finally discovered his true love. It is such happy yet sad endings that satisfies the human heart after a thrilling and adventurous horror experience. Like an adventurous person resting while satisfying his fans. Thus, to conclude, Gaston Leroux's "Phantom of the Opera" was a satisfying and hair--raising piece of horror that did its job--in an admirably clever way.
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Summary: Amazing!
Review: I read this book right after I saw the play, and it was just amazing. This story is captivating and thrilling, a regular drama. Leroux combines romance and mystery in this wonderful story about a man who wants only to be loved. Erik is a complex and mysterious Phantom, and combined with the young Christine Daae, it's a perfect novel. A must read!
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Summary: Unbelievable~! Great~! Perfect for all ages!
Review: Wow! What can I say about this book but it was amazing..it is my new favorite book. I am not a reader at all, my father always wants me to read but I hate it. After I saw Phantom on broadway I was speechless and I had become a "phantom phan." I decided to buy this book and I finished it in 2 days. I was so into it I would just say ok 10 more pages and then I'll eat dinner but I would just keep going. If I thought this book was so great and I could read it in 2 days then anyone can. Take my word for it... it is great; Leroux did an unbelievable job! I'm off to buying "Phantom" by Susan Kay! Happy reading xoxo
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Summary: Entertaining!
Review: This book has suspense, comedy(at parts), and romance.
It was so good I read it in two days! You'll be pulled in by the characters and the page-turning suspense in this book.
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