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The Phantom of the Opera

Questions About The Phantom of the Opera

by Gaston Leroux

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Answered Questions (41)

Is this a fictional story, or was it based on a true event? Many sources online reveal it was inspired by the Paris Opera. Was the setting of Paris Opera used for inspiration or the events?
Kami Garcia
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Anyone else less than impressed by learning The Phantom's real name?
hans No, I find that by calling him by a more human name he becomes more human, which is what he always dreamed of being. Also, as already said above, Erik…moreNo, I find that by calling him by a more human name he becomes more human, which is what he always dreamed of being. Also, as already said above, Erik was not his born name.(less)
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One thing bothers me... The unseen lady in the box 5 with the Phantom. English is not my first language so I can't quite describe what I think of more precisely. The lady that left the fan if it's called like that, behind her, which Madame Giry returnes. Who was this mystery woman? We think of Erik as an outcast who lived in the ground near the lake beneath the Opera, a loner, what he was doing with this lady, when?
Φιλ
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Is this book appropriate for pre teens and 11 year olds? Any violence? Or terrifying spooky stuff? And is there romance?
Valeria Maybe it's just me, but I read it when I was 14, loved it, have a slight obsession (own CD, book, theatre version, and can play all the songs), but I'…moreMaybe it's just me, but I read it when I was 14, loved it, have a slight obsession (own CD, book, theatre version, and can play all the songs), but I'd read worse books than this at much younger. Worse meaning violent and such. Kids see more violence than this everywhere (little 2nd graders on my bus pretend to shoot each other it's really quite disturbing), I think it would be fine. Besides, if you warn them of what might be inside, it shouldn't really harm them. At 11 I read Othello and wow that's messed up. Let's just murder someone because I can't handle my emotions and he took my job and I don't think you're good enough for your wife, you know. As a kid my parents never really monitored my books (I have wall to wall bookshelves right now) and nothing bad happened - I matured faster. I feel like this kind of question is too open ended. There are people who can't handle exposure too quickly, and people who take it and run with it and form thoughts and ideas and perspective through them. As a kid (5th grade - 10 yrs old) is when I started reading a lot, and I read some things that I probably wasn't ready to see in the world. I didn't know people could be so *head shake* cruel or proud or outlandish and it changed my childhood for the better. I think kids are almost always ready for anything (almost, unless it's earth shattering or sexually geared beyond their age appropriateness). You should probably read the book yourself, it is quite a piece of art I think.(less)
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How similar is the play to the book?
erik_operaghost not that similar. they butchered up Erik, Raoul and Christine's personalities, made it all an intense love triangle, they also changed a lot of scenes…morenot that similar. they butchered up Erik, Raoul and Christine's personalities, made it all an intense love triangle, they also changed a lot of scenes. based on personal experience (I finished the book and then I saw the musical three days later) it is way different from the book. it has some extra details and some things were changed for the better. but it gives off a completely different vibe, if it makes sense (sorry for using too casual language). so overall it's like they kept the basic events but I wouldn't call it a faithful adaptation. It was more like using the idea.(less)
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