The Phantom of the Opera

Jan 24, 2008

Chloe rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: anyone who loves symbolism and is familiar with many Gothic stories.

Recommended to Chloe by: No one recommended it to me.

Shelves: modern, weird-tales-and-horror, favorites

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This book has been one of my favorites for almost a decade. However, I find that there has been some misunderstanding in regard to what the story is supposed to be. If you are expecting the spectacle and high romance of the stage version, the glitter of the 2004 movie, or the straight-out horror of many other adaptations, you will be sorely disappointed. Firstly, the book has a unique approach. Leroux was the founder of the style known as “faction” or “research fiction”. (The most famous author ...moreThis book has been one of my favorites for almost a decade. However, I find that there has been some misunderstanding in regard to what the story is supposed to be. If you are expecting the spectacle and high romance of the stage version, the glitter of the 2004 movie, or the straight-out horror of many other adaptations, you will be sorely disappointed. Firstly, the book has a unique approach. Leroux was the founder of the style known as “faction” or “research fiction”. (The most famous author of today who writes in this style would probably be Lemony Snicket, only his work strays from the straight path allows for more direct action.) The book is written as a collection of evidence compiled by a journalist. And, for reasons unknown to me, this completely infuriates many readers. Personally, I find the idea creative and intriguing. Perhaps this is because I am one of the few people alive today who read the book before seeing the show or even hearing the entire recording of the musical. I had no ideas as to what I was to expect. So I had no expectations and was completely thrilled. (Conversely, I had great expectations for Susan Kay’s book and hated every bit of it.) The style used creates a surprisingly original tone that produces a realistic, rough, organic feel to the story. For me, this style made me think. I was not familiar with the plot (I was only ten) and so I had to pick out clues, form theories… It was great fun. Also, the characters tell the story, and the characters have their own biases and viewpoints. I enjoyed putting the testimonies together and noting the differences.
Another aspect some people find annoying is the way some of the book becomes over-the-top. One must remember, however, that the book is a tribute to Leroux’s favorite stories: dramatic, Gothic novels. The world of Phantom is not unlike the world of Sweeney Todd or Edward Scissorhands –it exists, but we are viewing a stylized version of it. Personally, I find this enjoyable. Also, it is somewhat satirical in some of its elements. For example: we have the Gothic hero, the innocent maiden and the evil monster… only the hero isn’t heroic at all (he never accomplishes anything), the maiden isn’t completely innocent (she lies, she manipulates, and she can’t give Raoul a straight answer as to what she would do if Erik were handsome), and the monster isn’t monstrous. While it is a tribute to old Gothic works, it is also somewhat of a send-up.
Lastly, I think that the way some people criticize the ending shows a lack of understanding. While the Phantom may not be quite as romantic as the ALW version is, I do not think that the ending was sudden. The Phantom’s character is not a purely evil monster who suddenly becomes good because of a woman’s kiss. We see throughout the story that the Phantom has a whole range of emotions and a complex character. Why else would Christine have befriended him when she thought he was the Angel of Music? A nice voice and a vile personality would not have cut it. Why else would Christine have returned to him? What exactly past between them when she was with him? Please, carefully read her words to Raoul on the roof scene. Otherwise, as some critics have noted, Erik’s need to be loved is actually greater than his desire for Christine. He does love her, yes, but there is the question of how can someone show love if he has not experienced it. Every character in the book sees him as a monster. When Christine does not he can finally behave otherwise. Towards the end, he states that were he loved he would be good, that he is not evil and wants to be good.
Aside from that, a whole lot of the book takes place after the final kidnapping of Christine, so the ending is not sudden at all. Practically the entire book builds up to it. If you understand the symbolism, it is even more obvious. And the argument that Erik’s “change” (which I argue is not exactly a change but rather a development that the novel was leading up to) is anti-feminist and encourages women to believe that a kiss can cure “evil” is absurd. She does not stay with him, he is still mentally unstable, and on top of that it was not some kiss of romantic love. She kissed his forehead. She is showing him some acceptance as a human being, which is an entirely different situation altogether.
The other points of criticism mentioned by many detractors generally fall into the, “But I like the stage story line so much better!” category and are not worth addressing.
I believe that the reason why I love the book so much is the fact that it is so multilayered. There are so many elements of symbolism, so many little mysteries to be uncovered. Because of the style, the title character never directly speaks. So, we get second-hand, as it were, testimonies which may or may not coincide. What is left unsaid? What is changed? Why do some of the statements not reflect the author’s own as put down in the epilogue? I also love the little nods to Poe and various operas. Also, the Freudian relationships are especially fascinating. Some people do not understand why Erik loves Christine or why Christine has an attachment to Erik and then to Raoul? I say, please notice the many references to the character’s childhood and to their parents. Christine, who was very close to her father, is still missing him and wants to fill his place. The Angel of Music was a link to her father. Later on, Raoul becomes a link to her childhood. Erik’s love for Christine is most obvious. Even while remembering her kiss he refers to his mother. The book is fraught with Freud.
So, if you want a book that you can pick apart for symbolism, one that does not take itself too seriously, one that pays tribute to its genre (even while slightly sending it up), and one with memorable characters and extremely stylized and atmospheric settings, this is the perfect read. If you want the stage show or the movie, please buy tickets or rent the DVD.
I suggest reading it in a dimly lit room, with lots of comfy pillows and a mug of something hot to drink. Maybe play a recording of Faust in the background.
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Dec 30, 2008

TheKBSeries rated it

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This book changed my life...I'm so not kidding. I saw the play years before I decided to read this book. I'm so sorry that I waited so long because it was fantastic! I plan to re-read it again! It has everything in it! It's scary, creepy, romantic, sweet, sexy, dark, sad, depressing, etc. This is the third book on my list that I would recommend to anyone that i meet! (having harry potter and the twilight series at number one and two spots. haha)

W A R N I N G *MAY be a spoiler in thi...more

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Dec 30, 2008

Shannon rated it

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Shelves: classics, 2008, gothic-horror

This is another book that has been lingering around with a bookmark sticking out of it since October. It's not that it's a hard read - on the contrary, for an "old" book, it's incredibly readable. I don't know who did this translation or whether that has anything to do with it, but it is easy to read. But to be honest, it lacks something. It's just not as dramatic as the musical, though it has its moments.

I've never seen the musical, sadly; I've only the seen the most rece...moreThis is another book that has been lingering around with a bookmark sticking out of it since October. It's not that it's a hard read - on the contrary, for an "old" book, it's incredibly readable. I don't know who did this translation or whether that has anything to do with it, but it is easy to read. But to be honest, it lacks something. It's just not as dramatic as the musical, though it has its moments.

I've never seen the musical, sadly; I've only the seen the most recent movie version - which I liked (Gerard Butler, woof!). There are quite a few differences, in the characters' roles and in the ending, though the overall story is the same I think. I think pretty much everyone knows this story but just in case: it begins with the two managers of the Paris Opera House handing over the place to the new managers, Richard and Moncharmin, with dire warnings of the opera ghost. The new managers laugh at this and think the old managers are having a joke on them, and refuse to pay the ghost his "allowance". Even when disasters start occurring, they don't believe.

One of the disasters is for their lead opera singer, Carlotta, to lose her voice. She is replaced by Christine Daaé, who proves to have a remarkable voice - she has been trained by the "Angel of Music", who is actually the opera ghost who is obsessed and in love with her and carries her off to his home under the opera. Only the Vicomte de Chagny, Raoul, even seems to notice, and that's because he too loves her.

I won't bother to tell the rest of the plot; if you don't know it already, you probably don't want it spoiled. One of the big differences between the musical and the book is the character of the Persian, which is only in the book. The Persian is a police officer who followed the Ghost - Erik - from India and Turkey, mostly, I think, to keep an eye on him. Erik's past is all explained in the Epilogue, and it's a lot more complicated than in the musical/movie. It was great to have the character fleshed out so much, though his story is also rather bizarre.

But speaking of the Persian - it's when he enters the story that it drops off considerably. There's a whole chapter, in the cellars under the opera, that's quite boring and confusing. In fact, one thing I can't get my head around is Erik's house on the lake under the Opera. The Opera was built over a lake?

All the comic elements you'd be familiar with are here, namely in the form of the managers, who drive themselves quite crazy. Madame Giry is only an box-seller in the book, and Erik is portrayed as rather ruthless and a monster. The book is, no doubt, a product of its times - while it does say that Erik was always treated as a monster because of his monstrous face, it doesn't really make the connection that he is not inherently a monster but is perceived by others as one, and so they made him who he is. He cashed in on his looks, in other words, in the only way he could. All he wanted was "to be loved for himself." A tragic tale.(less)

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Sep 11, 2008

Amanda rated it

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Recommended to Amanda by: I saw the play - it was incredible

This book was surprisingly good... a surprise because most books written around this time (I believe this was written in 1909) seem to be very boring and/or difficult to read. I have seen the play (and loved it) and was always curious about the original novel, which, I'll say right now, is definitely worth reading. Very captivating and suspenseful and emotion-invoking. My only real complaint is on the character of Raoul who is often described as what I would call a "weenie" - crying al...more

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Nov 27, 2007

Emily rated it

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Recommends it for: everyone

Shelves: classical-books

This is such a great, memorable book of all time. I love the story.

I've seen the Broadway Musical and the 2004/1925 movies, i expected the story to be as romantic and touching as A.L. Webber's original musical. And, yes, it WAS romantic and touching. However, the 1925 movie probably was the closest version of movie i saw towards the original piece of book, by Mr. Gaston Leroux.

At first, I didn't know the book was a horror story, but i was thrilled and was eve...more

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May 13, 2008

Sara rated it

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I'm a fan of Gothic novels, so this was a fun read. I haven't heard the story of the Phantom since my parents took me to see the musical (incidentally, my cousin told me that the chandelier fell into the audience and I totally believed her).

I'm really fascinated by the idea of a labyrinthine second world under the opera house. Apparently Leroux set his story in the real Opera Garnier, which makes me wonder how much of the underground rooms actually exist. Wikipedia tells me that ther...more

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May 02, 2009

Briana rated it

Shelves: books-that-disappointed-me

It's probably because I'm a nonconformist, but I've fallen out of love with PotO...mostly because EVERY SINGER sings it...no joke...in fact, *cough* many non-singers sing it...and it's not that fun to play...I mean, I like playing it for singers, but it's kinda...overused.
Have I mentioned how much I dislike playing Masquerade? SO. MUCH. THUMPING.

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Dec 05, 2011

Hana T rated it

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I thought this book was confusing book at sometimes but since I watched the movie I understood it because I already watched some parts to it. I thought one of the sad parts was when the Phantom finally dies...I would reccomend this book to people who like to read Horrors.

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Mar 29, 2011

Gina Gallo rated it

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Shelves: books-2011

One of my new favorite books of all time...and one of the saddest. I never realized what a tragic character Eric, or the Opera Ghost, was. He just wanted to be loved. This does not excuse all of his behavior, but it does explain it. From his childhood, even his mother rejected him and despised him. I know that Christine is supposed to be the heroine of the novel and Raoul is supposed to be the hero. Yet, I found Raoul to be whiny, immature and just young- in the throws of a first love like all t...more

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Jan 20, 2011

ShaLisa rated it

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Is the phantom to be pitied or despised? Is he cruel or passionate? Afterall, he a genius and a murderer. This book had layers of symbolism. I appreciated the depth - a story that presents a man of unparallel genius but also has an ugly face turning him into a monster. His story is sad. He is unloved and wants desperately to be loved and pleads with Christine to love him as though he could force such a thing. Does Christine love him? He is her angel of music, her tutor, the phantom that ...more

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Feb 14, 2010

Moocow rated it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I'll begin with the characters.
Christine was so NAIVE! She lets the Phantom lead her-alone- to his underground lair. This wasn't so bad, but then she sleeps in HIS bed!? Not to mention, she already has a boyfriend, Raoul. She sings with the Phantom, words which I will not write(The Point of No Return) though I love the music, breaking Raoul's heart. She misleads both of them, weaving in and out of their hearts. She sings with Raoul and tells him she loves him, breaking the PHANTOM'S heart....moreI'll begin with the characters.
Christine was so NAIVE! She lets the Phantom lead her-alone- to his underground lair. This wasn't so bad, but then she sleeps in HIS bed!? Not to mention, she already has a boyfriend, Raoul. She sings with the Phantom, words which I will not write(The Point of No Return) though I love the music, breaking Raoul's heart. She misleads both of them, weaving in and out of their hearts. She sings with Raoul and tells him she loves him, breaking the PHANTOM'S heart.

Raoul was a little too weak and helpless for my liking. Well, dude, that guy slept with your girlfriend and totally likes her! Go confront him! He doesn't do anything about it but cry. CRY! Are you kidding me? I have to give him props on All I Ask of You, though. It was beautiful, although not to the Phantom so much.

The Phantom was my favorite character. I have almost no flaws with him. He was abused and disfigured. He had to spend his life in a theater all alone, with no one to love, watching the beautiful Christine dancing and singing her way into Raoul's heart. He loves her and she abandons him. He shows her his music and she forgets it. The Music of the Night is one of my all time favorites, by the way. I don't totally blame Christine though, he's completely seductive. I still don't understand why he doesn't pull that rope tighter (he's obviously not dead yet; he's still singing! Just pull a little tighter and she's yours.) Christine totally should have picked the Phantom, I mean with the mask, he's totally gorgeous! (Of course, I am referring to the movie, with Gerard Butler)But honestly, I understand why the Phantom takes control of the theater, without him, it would be a failure (he has studied music his entire life) and why he is violent. I mean, he's been through child abuse and if he shows his face he'd be a dead man. I also add that he is a bit of a mad man ( my one flaw )

I make this sound like a terrible story. It's actually beautiful. The music was lovely. I just have some issues with some characters(Picky me). Other than that, It was amazing. The Phantom is on my top ten sexiest male leads (personality and all) list:)(less)

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Feb 17, 2009

Black Elephants rated it

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Shelves: scifi-fantasy

Hold your hand up at your eyes as if you are about to pull the trigger of a pistol because we are about to discuss the ins and outs of the the mystery that Gaston Leroux claims to have succintly unraveled in The Phantom of the Opera. Like most great science fiction—Jekyll and Hyde, Frankenstein, etc—Leroux promises that the indepth research, second-hand accounts and confessions he has collected will finally unveil the labyrinthine scandal that still is fresh in the memories of Parisians.

...moreHold your hand up at your eyes as if you are about to pull the trigger of a pistol because we are about to discuss the ins and outs of the the mystery that Gaston Leroux claims to have succintly unraveled in The Phantom of the Opera. Like most great science fiction—Jekyll and Hyde, Frankenstein, etc—Leroux promises that the indepth research, second-hand accounts and confessions he has collected will finally unveil the labyrinthine scandal that still is fresh in the memories of Parisians.

And what is that scandal? Why none other than the disappearance of the prodigious soprano Christine Daae from the Opera House where the setting takes place, the vanishing act of her lover the Viscount de Chagny, the questionable death of his brother and the last appearance of the cadaverous Opera Ghost.

With such a pearl of intrigue and mystery, there was no way that Leroux could fail to write a spellbinding novel. And he does succeed, sometimes. His characters for the most part are uninteresting unless they're put in danger. The Viscount, Raoul, spends a great deal of time being lovelorn or sobbing passionately into his hands. In contrast, Christine, who is the stronger of the two, actually puts on a very brave face for a heroine of the 1900s. She only faints at appropriate times and feels helpless at truly bleak moments. For a girl being driven out of her sense of reality by her stalker boyfriend, she has a pretty decent head on her shoulders. As for the Opera Ghost, the phantom is stripped of all the humanity that later versions and musicals reendowed him with. Erik, for that is his name, perhaps was a great serial killer in Persia. He has an inhuman face and eyes that can only be seen in the night. He is a monster, and like the devil, he uses his voice and music to seduce Christine to the netherworld of the Opera house where he plans to make her his bride.

In regards to the writing, Leroux will never be able to classify his work along with that of Stevenson or Shelley. The narrative's authoritative voice falters too often especially in regards to details and transitions. The characters are overdramatic. The Opera's maze-like structure is too difficult to explain, and in the end, Erik is too inhuman and crazy to even pity. But there is that tension. It is a fine thread that pulls the reader through all the holes. It helps the reader cross all the gaps. It weaves a suspenseful story full of danger, trapdoors and nooses. It ignites a plot that has an explosive ending. So that even though the reader may scoff, may wince, may even laugh, they read on to find out if there was a wedding and if it all finished in the happiness of a most perfect union.

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Aug 11, 2007

Tiffany rated it

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Recommends it for: fans of the musical, fans of suspense novels or ghost stories

Shelves: classics, movies, fantasy

One of my fondest memories is going to Canada with my mom and aunt to see Andrew Lloyd Webber's version of The Phantom of the Opera when I was in 6th grade. Since then, I've seen the opera again, as well as the 2004 movie. After I saw the movie, I decided it was finally time to read the book upon which the opera was based.

I really enjoyed the book, but all along, I wondered if I only enjoyed it because I'd seen it performed a number of times. Was I only able to get into the book bec...moreOne of my fondest memories is going to Canada with my mom and aunt to see Andrew Lloyd Webber's version of The Phantom of the Opera when I was in 6th grade. Since then, I've seen the opera again, as well as the 2004 movie. After I saw the movie, I decided it was finally time to read the book upon which the opera was based.

I really enjoyed the book, but all along, I wondered if I only enjoyed it because I'd seen it performed a number of times. Was I only able to get into the book because the experience of seeing it performed was such a good memory? Honestly, if I'd never seen the musical, I'm not sure I would have made it past the first few chapters. I think, had it not been for knowing how great the story is (or Webber's version, at least, and subsequently wanting to compare the two), this book would have fallen into my Nancy's Rule of 50 category. Not that the first chapters were bad, but more that they were .... ordinary. They were good enough, but they wouldn't have captured my attention enough to make me want to continue reading.

Luckily, though, since I was driven by my desire to read the book upon which the musical and movie were based, I pressed on. As it went on, the book got better. I found myself not wanting to put it down, and breezing right through it. The epilogue let me down a bit, but overall, I really enjoyed the book. It was a nice, quick read, and despite its dark subject, it was a good summer read.

One thing I appreciated about reading the book is that it cleared up a lot of questions raised by the opera and the movie -- you know, things that the writers want to keep true to the book, but either don't have time to explain, or just choose not to explain. I never understood why Raoul was supposed to keep his hands at the level of his eyes. The book, of course, explains this. It's about time! And it's always a bit discombobulating when plots and characters are different in the adapted versions versus the original books (I think, perhaps, Meg Giry is my favorite character in the movie, but she's actually hardly in the book! And Raoul is almost a wimp in the book compared to the musical and movie), but still, the book holds up well, even though it was being compared in my mind to the acclaimed performed versions.(less)

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Aug 06, 2011

Gemma Irene Seyger rated it

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Shelves: favorites, i-own-it, phantom-of-the-opera, classics, i-actually-cried

"Masterpiece" doesn't cut it. It's a work of art. To be honest, I didn't even know this was a book until I found it in the library, but now it's one of my favorites (let's put it this way -- I read it in one day). I love Gothic novels, but this one tops everything I've ever read. I'll admit it's not for everyone, but I have no idea what people mean when they say it's hard to read. The characterizations are so vivid, it was like being sucked into the pages. From the follies of the opera...more

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Jan 23, 2010

Bruce rated it

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Gaston Leroux's locked room mystery, The Mystery of the Yellow Room is one of my top favorites in the detective novel genre. On the strength of it I've bought several other Leroux mysteries through the years, and The Phantom Clue is the first I've read of these. The first half verges on being a good novel as well as a captivating mystery, with a deliciously complex plot springing from fully imagined characters. Unfortunately, much of the characters' three-dimensionality falls by the wayside, ...more

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Jan 05, 2009

Brittany rated it

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As expected, there was more detail in the book than in the movie. Some of the parts of the story that are left out of the movie thickened the plot and enriched the story, but other parts were, for me, too heavy in the details. I preferred the movie, which could be a reflection of the fact that I saw it first, but my main criticism in this respect is that the music is so integral to the story that to simply read about it does not do it justice. Great story, great book, awesome movie. Now I jus...more

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Jan 04, 2010

Karen Powell added it · review of another edition

What is interesting about this novel in light of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, is that the novel seems devoid of a hero. Erik, the Phantom, is a murderous psychopath. His muse, Christine, is a fragile wreck, and her lover Raoul is described as childish and whiny by the author. Yet, the gothic tale is very suspenseful, and we almost don't know who to root for. Erik's background is fascinating, and his genius almost overshadows his murderous rampages. The decent beneath the Opera House is very ...more

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Mar 27, 2009

Elizabeth rated it

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I. LOVE. PHANTOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This all started when I saw the movie a long, long time ago for the first time. I loved it right away and watched it again ... and again ... and again ... and again! Then, just a month ago, I saw the Broadway show and I LOVED IT EVEN MORE!!! I highly recommend seeing it, it's fantastic. Anyway, then I decided to read the actual book that started it all. The beginning of it was a little tough to get into, but after that it was fantasti...more

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Mar 12, 2009

Krystal rated it

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I originally got this book for Aaron for Christmas, because he likes the movie so much, but he hasn't had time to read it, so I picked it up about two days ago. It's about 300 pages and an easy read, it probably took me 10 hours or less over the course of two days to read it.

It was a little different than the movie which I liked. It took a little longer for the love story to unfold, but they probaby had to scrunch it down in the movie to make it fit in a reasonable amount of time. I...more

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Mar 03, 2009

Burgendya rated it

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This book is a wonderful gothic literary work. Gaston Leroux brillant writing has me as well as other readers with this masterpiece.

The Phantom of the Opera is about an insane musical genius haunting the Paris Opera House. Christine Daae, a new chorus girl, catches Erik's (phantom) eye and for the first time, the phantom falls for her. He comes to her as an Angel of Music and as he watches her from behind her mirror, he teaches Christine how to bring people to their knees with the ...more

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Dec 26, 2011

Aubrey rated it

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Shelves: favorites

I would have rated this book a 5 if it had actually answered my questions, in the end. It didn't. I would be putting it at a 3 for this reason, but I can't bring myself to do it... It was good, just not THAT good. So I compromised with a 4.

I read this book in two days. During the summer; the time I'm supposed to be sleeping in and messing around outside, I shut myself in like a hermit, a transfixed hermit, to finish it. I knew the ending, I knew the story, but somehow I was still fill...moreI would have rated this book a 5 if it had actually answered my questions, in the end. It didn't. I would be putting it at a 3 for this reason, but I can't bring myself to do it... It was good, just not THAT good. So I compromised with a 4.

I read this book in two days. During the summer; the time I'm supposed to be sleeping in and messing around outside, I shut myself in like a hermit, a transfixed hermit, to finish it. I knew the ending, I knew the story, but somehow I was still filled with suspense. I found my metaphorical butt hurting from my metaphorical literal (oh, the oxymoron) end-of-the-chair-position. I usually can't read books because I keep getting up due to my relentless energy, but I managed to get so caught up into this story I stayed seated the entire time. Well, actually, I did change my reading environments a few times. First my chair, then the back porch, then the living room, then the corner of my room, and then back to my chair. Anyway, this book was pretty good. The plot-line was very interesting and I loved the Gothic air.

One of the other things I liked about this book was that I often found myself very paranoid when placed in my bed trying to sleep. And a bit of fore-warning for all of you future readers: After promptly having read this book, do not place a tall instrument such as the bass in a dark corner, turn off the lights except for a small light source emanating from your dim, bed-side lamp, and expect it not to resemble Erik, causing you to almost pee your pants and have a heart-attack. Just trust me. I know this through experience. Anyway, I mention this because I like how Gaston Leroux made Erik... Well, scary... The musical makes him quite attractive and we easily love him. Now I'm not saying that I don't love the Leroux Erik, I'm merely saying I like it how Leroux made him scary just like a real Ghost is supposed to be. Also, Erik's full-body deformity made it easy for me to empathize. I easily understood why he acted the way he did.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good classic, or to anyone who has seen the musical and movie (especially the Lon Chaney one) and wants even more "phandom". (less)

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Nov 28, 2011

Hannah Bielicki rated it

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So I'm pretty sure everyone who reads this book has heard of the musical, or even the old movie. Let me tell you now it is nothing like that. The Phantom isn't a handsome, disturbed man this lives like a hermit with one side of his face a bit creepy, he is horrid. A walking skeleton, a corpse, a disease, and he actually had been travelling and lived in a few different countries and has a name: Erik.
Likewise for the other characters. Christine isn't a dits, unwittingly following a mass murd...more

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Oct 05, 2011

Kathryn Hilton rated it

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Shelves: miscellaneous

I spotted this book among the children’s classics at B&N and decided to snag it, as I was going on a trip and needed reading material. I imagine most of you are familiar with the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, but for those who aren’t, the book’s conceit is that a mysterious Phantom haunts the Opera building in Paris. The book purports to be true, being based on the writings and recollections of the primary players in the events it recounts, and describes the Opera building accurately.

Th...moreI spotted this book among the children’s classics at B&N and decided to snag it, as I was going on a trip and needed reading material. I imagine most of you are familiar with the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, but for those who aren’t, the book’s conceit is that a mysterious Phantom haunts the Opera building in Paris. The book purports to be true, being based on the writings and recollections of the primary players in the events it recounts, and describes the Opera building accurately.

The Phantom discovers a young singer, Christine Daaé (don’t ask me how to pronounce that), and trains her in voice. In return, she must agree never to marry any man, though she loves a young fellow named Raoul. The Phantom falls in love with Christine, and abducts her in the midst of a performance, despite all that Raoul can do to prevent it. Aided by a mysterious fellow known as “the Persian”, Raoul is able to penetrate the depths of the lake beneath the Opera and reach Christine. You’ll have to read the book to find out what happens. (I think the ending of the book is slightly different from that of the musical.)

Overall, the book is pretty entertaining. I don’t know that I would really classify it as a children’s book, given that the Phantom’s love and Christine’s response might be a bit difficult for young readers to understand. (I still hate Boromir to this day, even though he did the right thing at the end, because as a kid, all I saw was that he persecuted Frodo. I didn’t think his deathbed repentance counted for much. Faramir, on the other hand, was pure win as far as I was concerned.) In general, I can’t really give it a super-enthusiastic thumbs up, but it was worth the $5, and I will probably reread to examine the Phantom more closely.

Part of the reason I didn't get very engaged in the book is that I was put off by the characters. Christine and Raoul's romance isn't fleshed out enough for the reader to get emotionally engaged in their lurve, and I didn't like either of them anyway. The real focus of the book is the Phantom’s obsession and pain, and I was a bit too disturbed by him to properly sympathize. I suspect I may be less able to sympathize with the Phantom due to my cultural blinders; I kept thinking, "Ok, it's not nice to be disfigured, but you don't have to become a criminal mastermind." I think I wasn't able to grok the true hopelessness of the Phantom's situation because I take the advances of modern medicine for granted.(less)

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Sep 27, 2011

Katie rated it

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I've been looting the public domain on my Kindle since moving abroad. My exposure to this story previously was via. Andrew Lloyd Webber, and although the resemblence is there, I have to say that the stories deviate in noticable ways. I'm a sucker for musicals, so I can't really say which I prefer.

The Phantom of the Opera is a dark work, without much grounding. It focuses at length on the interior structure of the theatre, but never describes it in a particularly clear way, which I f...more

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Sep 18, 2011

Alana Hosein rated it

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I love the song, I love the movie and so it is fitting that I also love the novel. I hope that one day I shall be able to return to Paris, view the said Opera House and even see the ballet!! Of course Eric's character is most fascinating. There is a terrible sense of pity and despair in his ugliness, loneliness, lovelessness and ultimate sacrifice for love; a sacrifice also evident in great novels like "A Tale Of Two Cities". What captivates me is that there remains an underlying be...more

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Sep 07, 2011

Rizkana rated it

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Buku ini pertama kali terbit tahun 1910. Mengingat umur buku ini yang sudah lebih dari seabad, mungkin sudah banyak pula yang tahu kisah yang juga sering diangkat ke dalam bentuk seni teater ini.
Tema yang diangkat adalah masalah percintaan, antara 3 orang tokoh utama, Erik—biasa dikenal sebagai Hantu Opera, Christine Daaé, dan Raoul de Chagny. Setting cerita hamper semua plotnya mengambil tempat di Opera. Apa yang membuat cerita ini beda dan menarik untuk saya pribadi? Pertama kali tergod...moreBuku ini pertama kali terbit tahun 1910. Mengingat umur buku ini yang sudah lebih dari seabad, mungkin sudah banyak pula yang tahu kisah yang juga sering diangkat ke dalam bentuk seni teater ini.
Tema yang diangkat adalah masalah percintaan, antara 3 orang tokoh utama, Erik—biasa dikenal sebagai Hantu Opera, Christine Daaé, dan Raoul de Chagny. Setting cerita hamper semua plotnya mengambil tempat di Opera. Apa yang membuat cerita ini beda dan menarik untuk saya pribadi? Pertama kali tergoda untuk membaca buku ini adalah cerita singkat dari kisah ini yang disajikan dibelakang sampul buku. Sedikit mengutip, dikatakan:
“Erik, sang hantu Opera, jatuh cinta pada Christine, penyanyi Opera yang cantik dan bersuara emas. Kehadiran Raoul, sang viscount yang tampan, membuat Erik sadar Christine tidak akan membalas cintanya dan membuat cinta Erik berubah menjadi obsesi yang mematikan.”
Satu-satunya hal yang menggelitik keingintahuan saya adalah kata Hantu. Dan setelah membaca ceritanya, ternyata tidak ada kaitannya sama sekali dengan hantu. Apa yang dituliskan di belakang sampul buku ini memberikan gambaran yang secara umum sama dengan apa yang diceritakan di dalam buku ini, hanya saja Erik bukan hantu. Erik hanya seorang jenius yang terperangkap dalam fisik, khususnya wajah, yang buruk rupa. Erik punya suara yang sangat bagus dan kecerdasan diatas rata-rata dibidang arsitektur, ia juga dikenal dengan sebutan “Si Pecinta Pintu Jebak.” Christine memiliki seorang ayah yang sangat pandai bermain musik, khususnya biola, dan percaya dengan takhayul. Sewaktu kecil, ayahnya pernah mengatakan bahwa orang-orang yang pintar bermain musik atau memiliki suara bagus, adalah orang-orang terpilih yang didatangi secara khusus oleh Malaikat Musik dan dibina olehnya. Raoul mengenal Christine sejak ia kecil, melalui pertemuan singkat saat berlibur. Raoul menyukai Christine sejak saat itu.
Cerita dimulai ketika mereka masing-masing tumbuh dewasa. Christine bekerja sebagai salah satu penyanyi Opera sementara Erik berakhir tinggal di istana bawah tanah bangunan Opera dan tengah membangun popularitasnya sebagai hantu Opera yang gemar meminta ‘pajak’ sebesar dua puluh ribu franc kepada manajemen Opera dan meminta ‘jatah’ boks nomor 5 di panggung Opera untuknya. Bagaimana dengan Raoul? Sedang terkenal-terkenalnya sebagai bangsawan tampan. Erik mendekati Christine melalui musik, Christine yang setelah kehilangan ayahnya juga kehilangan minatnya pada musik, mulai kembali tergerak, ia percaya Erik adalah si Malaikat Musik yang dikirimkan ayahnya dari surga. Takhayul terbukti berbahaya untuk dipercayai ternyata. Christine mempercayai Erik dan menunjukkan sikap positif terhadap keberadaan Erik sampai ketika ia diculik oleh Erik sendiri dan dengan sedikit nekat membuka topeng Erik. Hasilnya? Ia tahu, Erik bukan malaikat. Erik cuma seorang buruk rupa yang kondisi emosionalnya sudah hancur lebur sejak ia kecil akibat penolakan oleh semua orang yang tidak tahan melihat wajahnya, bahkan oleh ibunya sendiri. Erik terlanjur terlanjur percaya dengan penglihatannya bahwa Christine adalah gadis baik hati yang tidak akan keberatan dengan bagaimanapun bentuknya. Christine adalah perempuan yang tepat baginya untuk memulai hidup biasa-biasa saja layaknya manusia normal yang tinggal di atas tanah, memiliki istri, bermain musik dan pergi berjalan-jalan bersama istrinya ke taman di hari minggu. Hanya itu yang Erik mau. Sementara Christine sebaliknya, hanya menginginkan Raoul sebagaimana Raoul menginginkannya untuk menjadi pasangan hidupnya. Begitulah, tiga orang dengan kepentingannya masing-masing saling bentrok.
Cerita The Phantom of Opera dan tokoh Erik yang buruk rupa mengingatkan saya dengan cerita Beauty and The Beast. Hanya saja tokoh Beast tidak tergila-gila dengan bangunan pintu jebak dan seni menyiksa manusia. Dan satu lagi, cerita Beauty and The Beast berakhir bahagia dengan Beauty akhirnya menikahi Beast yang berubah menjadi pangeran tampan segera setelah dinikahi dan benar-benar dicintai. Apa yang Christine rasakan terhadap Erik hanya sebatas rasa kasihan, cintanya tetap untuk Raoul. Dan itulah yang terjadi, mengenai detailnya silakan baca sendiri.
Saya bisa merasakan rasa kasihan yang muncul untuk Erik dari tokoh Christine dan Si Orang Persia yang mengenal Erik sewaktu muda. Saya juga bisa merasakan betapa frustasinya tokoh Erik dalam mewujudkan cita-cita sederhanya untuk mendapatkan kehidupan normal layaknya seorang manusia. Hanya karena ia buruk rupa maka semua cita-citanya seolah menjadi sama mustahilnya dengan keinginan untuk hidup diatas awan. Saya justru tidak tergugah dengan keberadaan tokoh Raoul, kurang signifikan. Raoul, bagi saya pribadi, tidak lebih dari karakter sekumpulan rasa cemburu dan mencintai dengan kadar yang biasa-biasa saja. Christine mencintai Raoul dengan jelas, ia bahkan mengorbankan semua yang ia punya untuk menyelamatkannya, sementara Raoul? Entah kenapa justru terasa sebagai tokoh yang perlu diselamatkan—dari sosok Christine, yang seharusnya justru dia yang perlu diselamatkan oleh Raoul—dan pengganggu—dari tokoh Erik, karena berani meminta Christine untuknya padahal tidak memberikan apa-apa, kecuali nekat menyusup ke rumah Erik, itupun dengan bantuan Si Orang Persia dan… gagal.
Mungkin karena kisah ini termasuk sastra klasik, maka isi-isi dialog antara Christine dan Erik terasa membosankan dan berlebihan. Itu pandangan saya pribadi. Aura-aura gelap, frustasi, putus asa, dan menyedihkan yang disuguhkan di dalam kisah ini terasa. Rasa gemas karena narasi menyuguhkan misteri secara sepotong demi sepotong juga muncul sebelum Christine akhirnya menceritakan siapa Erik. Untuk kali ini saya bahkan terkejut sendiri karena tidak memihak kisah cinta tokoh utama antara Christine dengan Raoul.
The Phantom of The Opera dengan tebal 376 halaman, bukan jenis bacaan santai dan tidak menyuguhkan akhir yang manis. Namun The Phantom of Opera menjanjikan akan memberikan perasaan sedih, putus asa, dan kasihan yang memang dibuktikannya. Suatu perspektif baru tentang hasil dari mencintai yang tidak berakhir sesuai harapan. Alternatif bacaan jika kamu merasa bosan dengan akhir-akhir cerita yang menyenangkan 
(less)

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Aug 27, 2011

Emma rated it

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One of my new favorite books of all time...and one of the saddest. I never realized what a tragic character Eric, or the Opera Ghost, was. He just wanted to be loved. This does not excuse all of his behavior, but it does explain it. From his childhood, even his mother rejected him and despised him. I know that Christine is supposed to be the heroine of the novel and Raoul is supposed to be the hero. Yet, I found Raoul to be whiny, immature and just young- in the throws of a first love like all t...more

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Aug 16, 2011

Jen rated it

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A great example of an author who had imagination and a great story, but his narrative skills leave much to be desired. Honestly, if this hadn't been adapted to the stage and film, I don't think anyone would talk about this book. That being said, the play is one of my favorites, so the author deserves credit for his ideas. Unfortunately, it seemed he envisioned a spectacular setting and definitely spent a good effort in describing it, but his ideas don't seem to move smoothly from his mind to ...more

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Aug 14, 2011

HRH rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: people who feel the need to read classics

If you've seen the movie or the play, you really don't know LeRoux's version - it's quite different. Yes, the ideas are the same but there is a huge and important sections removed.... and after you read it you'll understand why. It's scary; and long. And the opera ghost is really sick and demented. Lots more than Andrew Lloyd Webber portrays and aren't we thankful! I had no empathy for this character (or the others) as I do with the play. Now a comment on the book. Christine and Raoul are weak c...more

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Jul 25, 2011

Wendy rated it

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Originally published in 1911 by French author Gaston Leroux, The Phantom of the Opera is most certainly a classic tale and one of the greatest yet unanticipated love stories of our time.

As is the habit of many, including myself, I am constantly driven to compare novels with the films they later become. Unfortunately for Monsieur Leroux, The Phantom of the Opera, which brings to the large screen the award-winning music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, is one of my favorite films and movie soundt...more

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