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Phantom
A recreation of the life of the Phantom of the Opera unmasks the Paris Opera House inhabitant, telling how he was born disfigured and how he became a side-show freak, stonemason's apprentice, and eventually the masked man in search of love
458 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1990
386 people are currently reading
15230 people want to read
About the author
Susan Kay
2 books166 followersSusan Kay (b. 1953) is a writer.
She is most known for her book, Phantom, which expands upon the history of Erik, the character from Gaston Leroux's The Phantom of the Opera, in an episodic format of seven chapters from different characters' points of view.
Susan Kay did not travel to Iran to research the novel, although she did research in person at the Paris Opera House.
Her first novel was Legacy, about the life of Queen Elizabeth I and won a Georgette Heyer Historical Novel Prize and a Betty Trask Award in 1985.
She worked as a primary school teacher until leaving to bring up a family, and now lives with her husband and two children in Cheshire.
She is most known for her book, Phantom, which expands upon the history of Erik, the character from Gaston Leroux's The Phantom of the Opera, in an episodic format of seven chapters from different characters' points of view.
Susan Kay did not travel to Iran to research the novel, although she did research in person at the Paris Opera House.
Her first novel was Legacy, about the life of Queen Elizabeth I and won a Georgette Heyer Historical Novel Prize and a Betty Trask Award in 1985.
She worked as a primary school teacher until leaving to bring up a family, and now lives with her husband and two children in Cheshire.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,099 reviews
January 12, 2021
Susan Kay's Phantom is the unbelievably tragic and dramatic story of novel character Erik from the Phantom of the Opera by (Gaston Leroux). Susan Kay has written a terrific novel. Content and Lyrics are very impressive. "The Phantom" is written exciting and entertaining and full of beautiful and wise sentences as well as rousing passages. The book is impressive from the first page.
Conclusion: It is an exciting, fascinating but also sad novel, which I can recommend anyone who is interested in the phantom of the opera.
"Dieses Gesicht, das mir alle Rechte eines Mannes genommen hat, befreit mich auch von allen Verpflichtungen gegenüber der menschlichen Spezies" ,sagte er ruhig. "Meine Mutter hat mich gehasst, mein Heimatdorf hat mich ausgestoßen, ich wurde wie ein Tier in einem Käfig ausgestellt, bis ein Messer mir den einzigen Weg zeigte, frei zu sein." Seite 207
Conclusion: It is an exciting, fascinating but also sad novel, which I can recommend anyone who is interested in the phantom of the opera.
"Dieses Gesicht, das mir alle Rechte eines Mannes genommen hat, befreit mich auch von allen Verpflichtungen gegenüber der menschlichen Spezies" ,sagte er ruhig. "Meine Mutter hat mich gehasst, mein Heimatdorf hat mich ausgestoßen, ich wurde wie ein Tier in einem Käfig ausgestellt, bis ein Messer mir den einzigen Weg zeigte, frei zu sein." Seite 207
June 3, 2010
If Kay had stopped where The Phantom of the Opera book and musical started, she would have had a decent book on her hands. Despite turning Erik, the Phantom, into a terrible Gary Stu, she did give him an interesting and detailed history. In fact, if you stop reading the book before Christine comes in, I'd imagine it's pretty enjoyable. However, I kept reading, and there's my problem.
(Possible SPOILERS)
Once Christine and Raoul entered the story, I moved from wariness, to shock, to disbelief, to tears.
First of all, the relationships are not at all true to the characters. In other versions, Christine turns to Raoul for help because of her fear of the Phantom. In this novel, Christine only runs to Raoul when she's angry at Erik because she's jealous of his cat or because he's scared her. Raoul becomes little more than a tool for a tempermental little girl to punish her would-be lover.
Raoul isn't much better. In the other stories, he's patient and kind to Christine. He sticks by her side like the loyal guy he is. In Phantom, when Christine won't let him have his way, he stalks off to sulk until his next encounter with her. Since Christine seems to have mysteriously lost her fear of the Phantom, and therefore doesn't need to turn to Raoul for protection, Raoul becomes nothing more than a prodding figure. He's continually trying to cut Christine's ties with Erik, and all the while it's not what Christine REALLY wants, but she goes along with Raoul because she's confused.
Then there's Christine and Erik. In other versions, the Phantom has the shadow of his disfigurement hanging over him and it distorts his soul. In those versions, it's Christine who shows him love and kindness and helps him find the good in himself. In Phantom, it's the other way around. Despite his tendency to murder people and kidnap people and act like a sociopath, Erik becomes the enlightened figure in Kay's novel. The more Christine is around him, the more educated she becomes, the more deeply she thinks about things. She starts to become ashamed of herself because she doesn't have the courage to touch him. She realizes that the Phantom has loved her as no man has loved a woman before. And yet, I'm not convinced. Because he lies to her? Kills in order to possess her? Yells at her for, say, asking him to kill a spider? Wants to possess her even if it is not what she wants/not what is best for her? Or perhaps it's because he is only content to let her go (and yet STILL doesn't) when he realizes that she likes him best.
It occurred to me that this was the sort of story I would expect to read in a fan fiction, where the story didn't turn out the way some fangirl wanted it to, so she twists and distorts the situations and the characters to fit her own means.
Don't get me wrong. I adore the Phantom. I think he's a phenomenal character. But this, to me, is not a great love story. It is the story that ignores the flaws of the Phantom, and therefore makes his redemption meaningless. In the other stories, when Christine shows him love, she helps him let go of the obsession that made him want to possess her at any cost. Instead, he becomes a noble figure as he realizes that she loves Raoul and he lets them both go, even though it pains him. It's a bittersweet ending, no doubt, but it has an integrity. In Phantom, I felt like that was lost. After all, he loses his moment where he shows his love for her for the first time by allowing her to leave with Raoul. In Phantom, we're robbed of that moment. Instead, the only side we ever see of the Phantom and his love for Christine is the selfish, "I want her because I love her and I'll do whatever I have to do to make her stay with me to make me happy," side of him. In the end of Phantom, I wanted to cry because I felt that all three of the characters were cheated in order to make a "happy ending." But the happy ending, when it is the wrong ending, is not the best ending.
(Possible SPOILERS)
Once Christine and Raoul entered the story, I moved from wariness, to shock, to disbelief, to tears.
First of all, the relationships are not at all true to the characters. In other versions, Christine turns to Raoul for help because of her fear of the Phantom. In this novel, Christine only runs to Raoul when she's angry at Erik because she's jealous of his cat or because he's scared her. Raoul becomes little more than a tool for a tempermental little girl to punish her would-be lover.
Raoul isn't much better. In the other stories, he's patient and kind to Christine. He sticks by her side like the loyal guy he is. In Phantom, when Christine won't let him have his way, he stalks off to sulk until his next encounter with her. Since Christine seems to have mysteriously lost her fear of the Phantom, and therefore doesn't need to turn to Raoul for protection, Raoul becomes nothing more than a prodding figure. He's continually trying to cut Christine's ties with Erik, and all the while it's not what Christine REALLY wants, but she goes along with Raoul because she's confused.
Then there's Christine and Erik. In other versions, the Phantom has the shadow of his disfigurement hanging over him and it distorts his soul. In those versions, it's Christine who shows him love and kindness and helps him find the good in himself. In Phantom, it's the other way around. Despite his tendency to murder people and kidnap people and act like a sociopath, Erik becomes the enlightened figure in Kay's novel. The more Christine is around him, the more educated she becomes, the more deeply she thinks about things. She starts to become ashamed of herself because she doesn't have the courage to touch him. She realizes that the Phantom has loved her as no man has loved a woman before. And yet, I'm not convinced. Because he lies to her? Kills in order to possess her? Yells at her for, say, asking him to kill a spider? Wants to possess her even if it is not what she wants/not what is best for her? Or perhaps it's because he is only content to let her go (and yet STILL doesn't) when he realizes that she likes him best.
It occurred to me that this was the sort of story I would expect to read in a fan fiction, where the story didn't turn out the way some fangirl wanted it to, so she twists and distorts the situations and the characters to fit her own means.
Don't get me wrong. I adore the Phantom. I think he's a phenomenal character. But this, to me, is not a great love story. It is the story that ignores the flaws of the Phantom, and therefore makes his redemption meaningless. In the other stories, when Christine shows him love, she helps him let go of the obsession that made him want to possess her at any cost. Instead, he becomes a noble figure as he realizes that she loves Raoul and he lets them both go, even though it pains him. It's a bittersweet ending, no doubt, but it has an integrity. In Phantom, I felt like that was lost. After all, he loses his moment where he shows his love for her for the first time by allowing her to leave with Raoul. In Phantom, we're robbed of that moment. Instead, the only side we ever see of the Phantom and his love for Christine is the selfish, "I want her because I love her and I'll do whatever I have to do to make her stay with me to make me happy," side of him. In the end of Phantom, I wanted to cry because I felt that all three of the characters were cheated in order to make a "happy ending." But the happy ending, when it is the wrong ending, is not the best ending.
June 5, 2024
Until recently, I forgot that I read this about a decade ago. Now I’m a huge Phantom of the Opera fan. And I’m not just talking about the play and all the movies and such. I really loved Gaston Leroux’s original novel. I thought it gave the already fascinating and intriguing character even more dynamics and a very rich backstory, as compared to other incarnations. I loved it so much that I even named a side character in my first Preternatural book Erik, as he was a tragic character just like Leroux’s antagonist, too. So I eventually got curious years after reading the original novel and began looking for fan fiction sequels, prequels, and, of course, even found a sickening amount of erotica, too. Susan Kay’s story came highly recommended and I dove right in. It’s not a short read, so it was a bit of a journey to get through. And I remember reading this very vivid and beautifully written origin story of Erik and loved how it lead nicely into the original book. However, I just kept thinking ‘Gosh, this just keeps getting worse.’ And I’m not referring to a strong dislike of the story, but rather the content continually taking this sad, abused, unloved person, born with a terrible deformity, and just berating him too many times over. Almost like watching a Zack Snyder film, ie Man of Steel, where there’s these gigantic, epic climaxes that can last up to an forty-five minutes. You get the point and want to stay with it, but after awhile you get fatigued. Subtlety can be a wonderful thing. Now to bring Erik to the point of Leroux’s classic tale, I fully appreciate and understand how big of an undertaking it is. You need to grab this person and walk him through the worst circumstances imaginable at that time, in order to make the reader fully empathize with his struggles over a long period. And stay somewhat true to the original story, while taking some creative liberties. It’s a very hard balance to strike. But this became tiresome after awhile and it felt like the point was driven home too hard. Again, I’m not saying that I hated this story at all, but rather enjoyed it quite a bit. And I’m not even sure how I would have written it differently to resolve the critiques that I had here. It is just my personal opinion of how Susan Kay developed her unique version of Erik. But I ultimately thought that the abusive and terrible situations Erik was faced with could have been toned down a bit, and still had the same, if not a greater, impact on the reader.
October 26, 2007
Wow, I cannot say enough about this book. If you were captivated by any version of The Phantom of the Opera and loved the characters - especially Erik - you need to read this book. It was the first book to ever make me cry. Kay was so imaginative when she wrote the character of Erik and I thought she wrote him beautifully. I loved finally getting to explore his mind and the reasons why he was the way he was, and enjoyed reading of his supposed travels and finding out how he gained all of his knowledge.
I was so happy when it came back to print and it's still a book I read over and over.
I was so happy when it came back to print and it's still a book I read over and over.
February 9, 2011
Well, I finally read Susan Kay's "Phantom." Before I wrote my own book, I had read nothing but the original Leroux book as I did not want to be influenced by any other writer.
I must admit that this book is heartwrenching, sad, but beautifully crafted. I was continually amazed at the ability of the author to see into each character in the book and put it to paper.
Erik, of course, broke my heart. I was sick after the first chapter when I saw how his mother treated him. It was a miracle that he was able to become such a renowned musician, architect, painter and magician. I was constantly saddened as I read each stage of his terribly unhappy life, his desire to be loved, his wish for only a kiss from his mother, which she refused, his treatment in the gypsy caravan and in Persia. then his awakening to the human love with Christine and her gradual awakening to his heart, and the final gift she gave him and the result of that gift, her son, Charles. I must admit, I do not like pre-marital sex, but this was so beautifully written with no vulgarity, but only the desire of Christine to give Erik something that no other woman ever had or would. Her gradual opening to him where she was able to see him as a man rather than a freak, with all a man's feelings, desires and wants, was poignant and beautiful. And I believe while they were alome in her room, and she had his wedding ring, that they did make special vows to each other. I am reminded of reading many books about the Scottish Highlands which were served by way too few priests, and a man and woman could enter into a handfast marriage, which they could annul after one year if there was not child. I believe that is what Erik and Christine did. So I did not feel terrible about what she did. It was not an act of sex but an act of the deepest love.
I was also, as a Christian, touched by Erik's constant battle of trying to find God and to understand why he had been made the way he had.
I love the way the Phantom was portrayed by Gerard Butler. The idea of a half beautiful, half terribly disfigured face, somehow seemed almost harder to deal with than a totally horrific face like Leroux and Kay's Phantom. I could see how he could have constantly been reminded of what might have been.This is the one which stole my heart and made the Phantom part of my life.
However Kay's book is special in its specialness of the truth of Erik as portrayed by his creator, Leroux. I found it much harder to deal with that ALW's Phantom, although both had me in tears.
My rating of 4 stars was given rather than five, only because I was so sad when I finished the book. With only the final pages of redemption and forgiveness, the rest was hard to deal with. But it is a very special book.
December 24, 2024
Doesn’t matter how many times I reread it: perfection.
February 13, 2010
My mind has touched the farthest horizons of mortal imagination and reaches ever outward to embrace infinity. There is no knowledge beyond my comprehension, no art or skill upon this entire planet that lies beyond the mastery of my hand. And yet, like Faust, I look in vain. I learn in vain...For as long as I live, no woman will ever look on me in love....
My kingdom lies in eternal darkness, many feet below the level of the Parisian streets outside, shrouded in the chill silence of the grave. Darkness and silense have been my companions since the day I chose to turn my back upon the world of men and create an empire that was solely mine.
From the moment of my birth my destiny was to be alone."
I don't know of one person who didn't think Christine Daae a fool for going off with the lackluster Raoul rather than stay with the Phantom. Disfigured he may be, but the Phantom has endured as a magnetic figure of endless fascination. In Phantom, Susan Kay explores the Phantom's life, from birth to death - Much happened before he ever set eyes on the winsome Christine.
We love our misunderstood outcasts and mysterious princes of darkness, which Erik is. Brilliant and artistic, he has been reviled since birth, even rejected by his own very beautiful mother. We follow Erik as he is captured by the evil Javert and exhibited as a freak. Finally escaping the gypsy carnival, he makes his way to Italy to become a master stonemason's apprentice and to his first love, which ends in tragedy. He next surfaces as the dark magician in Persian court. Everywhere he goes, cruelty and devastation follow until at last he retreats to Paris. He becomes the secret genius behind the building of the famous Opera Garnier, where he ultimately decides to hide from the world.
From there, the story roughly follows the well-known Phantom of the Opera storyline, a mix of both the Gaston Leroux novel and the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. Kay manages not only to pay homage to both, but surpass them in this superb, beautifully written version. This novel is for all those who, if given the choice, would have picked the Phantom every time.
My kingdom lies in eternal darkness, many feet below the level of the Parisian streets outside, shrouded in the chill silence of the grave. Darkness and silense have been my companions since the day I chose to turn my back upon the world of men and create an empire that was solely mine.
From the moment of my birth my destiny was to be alone."
I don't know of one person who didn't think Christine Daae a fool for going off with the lackluster Raoul rather than stay with the Phantom. Disfigured he may be, but the Phantom has endured as a magnetic figure of endless fascination. In Phantom, Susan Kay explores the Phantom's life, from birth to death - Much happened before he ever set eyes on the winsome Christine.
We love our misunderstood outcasts and mysterious princes of darkness, which Erik is. Brilliant and artistic, he has been reviled since birth, even rejected by his own very beautiful mother. We follow Erik as he is captured by the evil Javert and exhibited as a freak. Finally escaping the gypsy carnival, he makes his way to Italy to become a master stonemason's apprentice and to his first love, which ends in tragedy. He next surfaces as the dark magician in Persian court. Everywhere he goes, cruelty and devastation follow until at last he retreats to Paris. He becomes the secret genius behind the building of the famous Opera Garnier, where he ultimately decides to hide from the world.
From there, the story roughly follows the well-known Phantom of the Opera storyline, a mix of both the Gaston Leroux novel and the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. Kay manages not only to pay homage to both, but surpass them in this superb, beautifully written version. This novel is for all those who, if given the choice, would have picked the Phantom every time.
August 5, 2011
I can see that I'm very much in the minority here. This book did nothing for me, and even though I wasn't expecting to enjoy it all that much I still feel pretty disappointed with it. Susan Kay's 'Phantom' is a spin-off of Gaston Leroux's 'The Phantom of the Opera' (although Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical was obviously an influence on it as well). It retells the life of Erik a.k.a. the Phantom from his birth right up to his death. I first heard about 'Phantom' a couple of years ago but I was extremely sceptical about it and it turns out I was right. In fairness I wouldn't say that this book is TERRIBLE. At least not all of it is. The first half of 'Phantom' is actually quite decent. OK, it is a bit contrived and sensationalistic in places but these are only minor flaws. I will give Kay some credit here. She does a good job of fleshing out the details of Erik's backstory that are only hinted at in Leroux's novel. I have to admit that I found the Rome and Persia sections of this book pretty interesting and I was impressed by the sheer amount of research that Kay must have done. In fact, if Kay had ended her novel right where Leroux's book and the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical start off then I think she would have had a decent prequel to POTO on her hands. Unfortunetly, Kay doesn't choose to end her novel at this point and I carried on reading it.
The second half of 'Phantom' is a total let-down - and to be perfectly frank I think most of it really sucks. First of all, we find out that Christine Daae bears an uncanny resemblance to Madeleine, Erik's mother. Now surely I can't be the only person who finds this a bit creepy and Freudian?! And besides, Madeleine hated Erik and vice versa so wouldn't Christine's physical resemblance to his mother be off-putting to him? Another thing that I found extremely irritating about this book are the bizarre alterations from Leroux's original story that occur. It's really strange because Kay has obviously made an effort, in the first half of this book at least, to keep Erik's physical appearance and backstory accurate to Leroux's descriptions - but when she actually comes to the story that we all know and love she makes weird changes. I'm sure that Kay probably wanted to put her own twist on things and to make the story her own but the way that she did this was just too fanfiction-y and off-canon for my tastes.
There are so many scenes in this book that supposedly take place in Leroux's novel but are in reality nothing like those scenes at all. For example: Leroux's novel has Carlotta croak like a toad on the same night that the chandelier falls, but in Kay's 'Phantom' the chandelier falls on a different night much later on. The unmasking scene here is nothing like the unmasking scene in Leroux's novel. By far the most cringeworthy scene in this book has to be the one where Christine hears Erik's music for Don Juan Triumphant. The music is described as being like a sob in Leroux's novel, as the ultimate expression of grief and rage. Christine is frightened and disturbed. Here though, the music is so incredibly sexy and arousing that Christine *ahem* ends up getting herself off to it. Okaaay then...The book then proceeds to delve even further into the realms of bad fanfiction. I get the strong impression that Kay didn't like how Leroux's novel ended and decided to twist and distort the characters and events of that novel to suit her own purposes like a lot of bad fanfiction writers do.
I love the Phantom in Leroux's novel and Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical. I think he's a fantastic character and very sympathetic. In Kay's novel, I felt barely any sympathy for him at all. Also, I can't say that I was ever a massive fan of Christine in Leroux's novel (because I never really found her all that interesting) but reading Kay's novel actually made me appreciate her a whole lot more. OK, Christine does come across as being a bit helpless in Leroux's novel but at least she had some backbone. She was in love with Raoul and was determined to save him. In Kay's novel, Christine is completely incapable of making decisions by herself and seems incredibly childish and bratty. I know that Christine is supposed to be naive and a very young and innocent girl from reading Leroux's novel - childlike as opposed to childish - but Kay seems to take this to mean that 'Christine is stupid and mentally challenged'. Er, no she isn't! Kay strips Christine of every ounce of intelligence and integrity that she has in Leroux's novel and what we have instead is an incredibly annoying character. She also has an aggravating habit of always saying exactly the wrong thing to Erik and she uses Raoul horribly. Basically, she only runs off to Raoul in this book whenever Erik has done something to upset her: whether it's because he shouted at her or because she's jealous of his cat. Raoul is just some tool for Christine to punish Erik with. I felt really sorry for Raoul in this book and he must surely deserve some sort of medal for the crap that he has to put up with! Christine ends up sleeping with Erik right before their wedding - hmm, what recent musical does this remind me of?! - and forces him to accept this. She then takes Erik's cat to live with them and has a son that turns out to be Erik's! Poor Raoul has to put up with the fact that his wife, his son and even his pet are all Erik's! How harsh is that?
To sum up: if you're an E/C shipper who hates Raoul, loves the Phantom unconditionally, and always thought that Christine should have chosen Erik and was in love with him all along then 'Phantom' is a must-read and you will love it. And if you're not, don't bother. Give me the Leroux novel and the ALW musical anyday!
The second half of 'Phantom' is a total let-down - and to be perfectly frank I think most of it really sucks. First of all, we find out that Christine Daae bears an uncanny resemblance to Madeleine, Erik's mother. Now surely I can't be the only person who finds this a bit creepy and Freudian?! And besides, Madeleine hated Erik and vice versa so wouldn't Christine's physical resemblance to his mother be off-putting to him? Another thing that I found extremely irritating about this book are the bizarre alterations from Leroux's original story that occur. It's really strange because Kay has obviously made an effort, in the first half of this book at least, to keep Erik's physical appearance and backstory accurate to Leroux's descriptions - but when she actually comes to the story that we all know and love she makes weird changes. I'm sure that Kay probably wanted to put her own twist on things and to make the story her own but the way that she did this was just too fanfiction-y and off-canon for my tastes.
There are so many scenes in this book that supposedly take place in Leroux's novel but are in reality nothing like those scenes at all. For example: Leroux's novel has Carlotta croak like a toad on the same night that the chandelier falls, but in Kay's 'Phantom' the chandelier falls on a different night much later on. The unmasking scene here is nothing like the unmasking scene in Leroux's novel. By far the most cringeworthy scene in this book has to be the one where Christine hears Erik's music for Don Juan Triumphant. The music is described as being like a sob in Leroux's novel, as the ultimate expression of grief and rage. Christine is frightened and disturbed. Here though, the music is so incredibly sexy and arousing that Christine *ahem* ends up getting herself off to it. Okaaay then...The book then proceeds to delve even further into the realms of bad fanfiction. I get the strong impression that Kay didn't like how Leroux's novel ended and decided to twist and distort the characters and events of that novel to suit her own purposes like a lot of bad fanfiction writers do.
I love the Phantom in Leroux's novel and Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical. I think he's a fantastic character and very sympathetic. In Kay's novel, I felt barely any sympathy for him at all. Also, I can't say that I was ever a massive fan of Christine in Leroux's novel (because I never really found her all that interesting) but reading Kay's novel actually made me appreciate her a whole lot more. OK, Christine does come across as being a bit helpless in Leroux's novel but at least she had some backbone. She was in love with Raoul and was determined to save him. In Kay's novel, Christine is completely incapable of making decisions by herself and seems incredibly childish and bratty. I know that Christine is supposed to be naive and a very young and innocent girl from reading Leroux's novel - childlike as opposed to childish - but Kay seems to take this to mean that 'Christine is stupid and mentally challenged'. Er, no she isn't! Kay strips Christine of every ounce of intelligence and integrity that she has in Leroux's novel and what we have instead is an incredibly annoying character. She also has an aggravating habit of always saying exactly the wrong thing to Erik and she uses Raoul horribly. Basically, she only runs off to Raoul in this book whenever Erik has done something to upset her: whether it's because he shouted at her or because she's jealous of his cat. Raoul is just some tool for Christine to punish Erik with. I felt really sorry for Raoul in this book and he must surely deserve some sort of medal for the crap that he has to put up with! Christine ends up sleeping with Erik right before their wedding - hmm, what recent musical does this remind me of?! - and forces him to accept this. She then takes Erik's cat to live with them and has a son that turns out to be Erik's! Poor Raoul has to put up with the fact that his wife, his son and even his pet are all Erik's! How harsh is that?
To sum up: if you're an E/C shipper who hates Raoul, loves the Phantom unconditionally, and always thought that Christine should have chosen Erik and was in love with him all along then 'Phantom' is a must-read and you will love it. And if you're not, don't bother. Give me the Leroux novel and the ALW musical anyday!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2017
Phantom by Susan Kay has been a favorite of mine for a really long time. I first got hooked on Phantom of the Opera stuff in high school. I watched the movie with Gerard Butler, I read the original novel by Gaston Leroux and I found this book. Then, in college among moving stuff from dorm to home and back again, I lost my copy of it! It's probably still floating around somewhere but I bought a new copy and I'm so thrilled that I was able to read it again.
Phantom really delves into the mind of the Phantom, Erik. He isn't just a mindless psychopath living in the basement, praying on young women. He has motivation. He has his arrogance. He is brilliant and so broken in this. Every aspect of his adolescence is so twisted, from his mother refusing to give him any warmth to his imprisonment in the gypsy camp to losing the one man who he could call a father figure. You begin to understand how he became the way that he did.
God, this book hit me so hard in the heart the first time I read it. It's so dark. It's so hopeless in many ways. You see someone suffering for how they look, despite their amazing mind and you wonder what would have happened if he had had love as a child instead of fear and scorn.
“I am not forsaken! I'm no longer alone in the darkness! Before my eyes I see a thousand little devils lighting black candles along the path which leads toward the edge...the blindingly beautiful edge.”
The secondary characters are remarkably well built as well. I hated his mother, Madeleine but you can understand her fear. In that time, Erik would have been seen as an abomination. There would be no place for him in society because of his image and you desperately hope that wouldn't be the case now. She was scared of this child that had so much intelligence but was hampered by her revulsion towards him. She was a young mother whose husband just died and she saw Erik as a curse. I can't imagine.
And then the Daroga. And the architect in Italy. Where he had once had hope and friendship, he managed to lose it all. I feel like throughout the book, up until he meets Christine, Erik strives to be a better person but his situation in life turns him into the sadistic person that he is.
“My mind has touched the farthest horizons of mortal imagination and reaches ever outward to embrace infinity. There is no knowledge beyond my comprehension, no art or skill upon this entire planet that lies beyond the mastery of my hand. And yet, like Faust, I look in vain, I learn in vain. . . . For as long as I live, no woman will ever look on me in love.”
My biggest fault with this book is the last ten to fifteen percent. The last little bit where he finally meets Christine and succumbs to the madness that he has been fighting for so long.
“She wanted an Angel of Music . . . an angel who would make her believe in herself at last. I'd been the Angel of Doom for the khanum. There was no reason in the world why I could not be the Angel of Music for Christine. I couldn't hope to be a man to her, I couldn't ever be a real, breathing, living man waking at her side and reaching out for her . . . But I could be her angel"
I hated Christine. She follows blindly and doesn't question anything. Lamb to the slaughter. And I'm not saying that she was supposed to be more worldly since she was only 20 and had hardly experienced any of the world but I wanted her to have more doubt than she did. Erik loved the idea of her more than anything else and she knew it. She couldn't make decisions on her own except on the occasions of threats against her or others. She ruined Erik's character for me since he had been so resolute and strong for most of the book but finally crumbles under an obsession.
But I guess that's the point of it all. He is supposed to lose it. Erik finally relinquishes control of his mind and basically damns himself. It's all so sad and terrible and that's why I love this book.
If you haven't read this book, you need to. It is such a beautiful supplement to the story that most are familiar with and it only enhances the musical and the original book. Seriously, go get it. Now. Do it. It's wonderful.
Review also posted at Tara Belle Talking
January 2, 2023
نقد؟ نه. صرفاً دارم احساسم رو بیان میکنم. البته با کمی اسپویل!
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«دیگر از اینکه دیده شوم ترسی نداشتم. هیچکس نمیتوانست مرا بکشد، و آنقدر زنده بماند که به آن بنازد»
اتفاقی، کاملا اتفاقی شروعش کردم. از روی یه فنآرت از "شبح اپرا" که میتونستی چشمهاش رو ببینی، اما صورتشو نه!
یه چهرهی مخفیِ اعجابانگیز که دلم میخواست داستان پشت چشمهاش رو بدونم. داستانی که انگار آنچنان که فکر میکردم، سرسری و سطحی نبود. و این، آغاز یه تراژدیِ رو به فروپاشی بود. فروپاشیِ یک کالبد با هزاران روح...!
این کتاب، یه بازآفرینیِ کلی از «شبح اپرا» نوشتهی گاستون لوروئه. سوزانکی دست روی چیزی گذاشته، که میدونست میتونه توی خلق و بازآفرینیِ تراژدیاش، نبوغش رو به رخ بکشه!
داستان عمیقاً آدم رو به روح خودش متصل میکنه. اینکه در نهایت ما همگی شبحی توی کالبدمون زندگی میکنه که به همون ترتیب، میتونه برای ما تصمیماتی بگیره که بوی خیانت و انزوا و خشم میده. شبحی که با درد بیگانه نیست و اشباع شده از تمام نیرنگهای دنیا...
داستان درمورد تولد اریکه. کودکی که با نقصی هولناک و متفاوت از تمام نوزادهای دنیا با به عرصهی هستی میذاره و نحسیای رو همراه با تولدش، توی ذهن اطرافیانش میاندازه، که باعث میشه همهی دنیا طردش کنن. حتی مادرش، حتی مادری که جز اون هیچکس رو توی دنیا نداشت. و راستش، تعبیر دیگران از چهرهی اریک، چیزی بود شبیه به این: « چهرهی او مثل همه ست. اما بعد از یک هفته دفنشدن زیر خاک »
اما داستان از بطن یک نبوغ زاده میشود. اریک، ادغامی وحشیانه از نبوغ و جنونه. و نشون میده وقتی هردوی اینها توی وجود آدم به غلیان بیوفتن و کنترلشدنی نباشن؛ چطور میتونن مسیر سرنوشت رو به راحتی عوض کنن! تباهی و سیاهی، کمترین عاقبت یک جانیِ نابغه خواهد بود🖤
خط به خط این کتاب، داره عصیانِ یه روحِ به بندکشیده شدهی مطرود رو نشون میده، که وقتی شکافی مابین"آنچه هست" و "آنچه میتواند باشد" میبینه، سر به سرکشی و نابودی میذاره. همهچیز رو خاکستر میکنه تا چیزهایی رو تجربه کنه که طبیعتش میطلبید اما ازش دریغ شده بود!
روح اریک، بدون اینکه خودش متوجه باشه، راوی به حقِ این تراژدی دردناک بود. بارها با خط به خطِ این روایتِ جگرسوز و آرزوهای دور و دراز اریک توی تنهاییهاش، بغض گلوم رو فشرد و خواستم کتاب رو متوقف کنم اما نتونستم. قصهی اون، قصهی یه عصیانه. یه خیزش، یه قیام برای اثبات هستیاش توی جهانی که میلی به دیدنش نداشت. راستش از یکجایی به بعد، اریک دیگه دست از تلاش برای اثبات "موجودیت" خودش کشید و جریان زندگی رو اونطور که ذاتش میپسندید، به دست گرفت.
همونجا بود که اریک، بیهوا از کودکی به بزرگسالی پرتاب شد و فاصلهی بین این دو برهه، به اندازهی یک شب تا صبح بود🥺
من برای تکتک پلاتهای این قصه احترام خاصی قائلم و عمیقاً خودم رو توش میبینم. مثل یه آیینهی شفاف. مینویسم برای مادلین با تمام اشتباهاتش، برای بوسهای که دریغ کرد. برای نادر و قلب مهربانی که مایلها دورتر، مراقب دوستانش بود. برای کریستین و روحی که بخاطر اریک عریان کرد. برای اعتمادش به فرشتهی موسیقی. برای رائول، و شارل که نبوغش رو از کسی به ارث برده بود که هرگز قرار نبود بشناستش!
و در آخر... مینویسم برای اریک و عشق بیحد و اندازهاش به علم و موسیقی؛ برای شبهایی که فقط صداش میتونست به گوش بقیه برسه و نه چهرهاش، برای اریکی که وقتی آواز میخوند، میدونست هیچکس عمیقاً اون رو دوست نخواهد داشت. برای بوسهای که هرگز تجربه نکرد. برای لحظههایی که توی قفس بود. برای اشکهایی که نمیریخت و برای اون ساختمون مخوف اپرای پاریس... که به دست خودش ساخته شد و به دست خودش هم یه روز نابود خواهد شد!😢
*********
«دیگر از اینکه دیده شوم ترسی نداشتم. هیچکس نمیتوانست مرا بکشد، و آنقدر زنده بماند که به آن بنازد»
اتفاقی، کاملا اتفاقی شروعش کردم. از روی یه فنآرت از "شبح اپرا" که میتونستی چشمهاش رو ببینی، اما صورتشو نه!
یه چهرهی مخفیِ اعجابانگیز که دلم میخواست داستان پشت چشمهاش رو بدونم. داستانی که انگار آنچنان که فکر میکردم، سرسری و سطحی نبود. و این، آغاز یه تراژدیِ رو به فروپاشی بود. فروپاشیِ یک کالبد با هزاران روح...!
این کتاب، یه بازآفرینیِ کلی از «شبح اپرا» نوشتهی گاستون لوروئه. سوزانکی دست روی چیزی گذاشته، که میدونست میتونه توی خلق و بازآفرینیِ تراژدیاش، نبوغش رو به رخ بکشه!
داستان عمیقاً آدم رو به روح خودش متصل میکنه. اینکه در نهایت ما همگی شبحی توی کالبدمون زندگی میکنه که به همون ترتیب، میتونه برای ما تصمیماتی بگیره که بوی خیانت و انزوا و خشم میده. شبحی که با درد بیگانه نیست و اشباع شده از تمام نیرنگهای دنیا...
داستان درمورد تولد اریکه. کودکی که با نقصی هولناک و متفاوت از تمام نوزادهای دنیا با به عرصهی هستی میذاره و نحسیای رو همراه با تولدش، توی ذهن اطرافیانش میاندازه، که باعث میشه همهی دنیا طردش کنن. حتی مادرش، حتی مادری که جز اون هیچکس رو توی دنیا نداشت. و راستش، تعبیر دیگران از چهرهی اریک، چیزی بود شبیه به این: « چهرهی او مثل همه ست. اما بعد از یک هفته دفنشدن زیر خاک »
اما داستان از بطن یک نبوغ زاده میشود. اریک، ادغامی وحشیانه از نبوغ و جنونه. و نشون میده وقتی هردوی اینها توی وجود آدم به غلیان بیوفتن و کنترلشدنی نباشن؛ چطور میتونن مسیر سرنوشت رو به راحتی عوض کنن! تباهی و سیاهی، کمترین عاقبت یک جانیِ نابغه خواهد بود🖤
خط به خط این کتاب، داره عصیانِ یه روحِ به بندکشیده شدهی مطرود رو نشون میده، که وقتی شکافی مابین"آنچه هست" و "آنچه میتواند باشد" میبینه، سر به سرکشی و نابودی میذاره. همهچیز رو خاکستر میکنه تا چیزهایی رو تجربه کنه که طبیعتش میطلبید اما ازش دریغ شده بود!
روح اریک، بدون اینکه خودش متوجه باشه، راوی به حقِ این تراژدی دردناک بود. بارها با خط به خطِ این روایتِ جگرسوز و آرزوهای دور و دراز اریک توی تنهاییهاش، بغض گلوم رو فشرد و خواستم کتاب رو متوقف کنم اما نتونستم. قصهی اون، قصهی یه عصیانه. یه خیزش، یه قیام برای اثبات هستیاش توی جهانی که میلی به دیدنش نداشت. راستش از یکجایی به بعد، اریک دیگه دست از تلاش برای اثبات "موجودیت" خودش کشید و جریان زندگی رو اونطور که ذاتش میپسندید، به دست گرفت.
همونجا بود که اریک، بیهوا از کودکی به بزرگسالی پرتاب شد و فاصلهی بین این دو برهه، به اندازهی یک شب تا صبح بود🥺
من برای تکتک پلاتهای این قصه احترام خاصی قائلم و عمیقاً خودم رو توش میبینم. مثل یه آیینهی شفاف. مینویسم برای مادلین با تمام اشتباهاتش، برای بوسهای که دریغ کرد. برای نادر و قلب مهربانی که مایلها دورتر، مراقب دوستانش بود. برای کریستین و روحی که بخاطر اریک عریان کرد. برای اعتمادش به فرشتهی موسیقی. برای رائول، و شارل که نبوغش رو از کسی به ارث برده بود که هرگز قرار نبود بشناستش!
و در آخر... مینویسم برای اریک و عشق بیحد و اندازهاش به علم و موسیقی؛ برای شبهایی که فقط صداش میتونست به گوش بقیه برسه و نه چهرهاش، برای اریکی که وقتی آواز میخوند، میدونست هیچکس عمیقاً اون رو دوست نخواهد داشت. برای بوسهای که هرگز تجربه نکرد. برای لحظههایی که توی قفس بود. برای اشکهایی که نمیریخت و برای اون ساختمون مخوف اپرای پاریس... که به دست خودش ساخته شد و به دست خودش هم یه روز نابود خواهد شد!😢
February 14, 2018
Re-read For Valentines Day :)
And won't change my rating...still 5 stars!
In the Original novel by Gaston Leroux, few details are given regarding Erik's past, although there is no shortage of hints & implications throughout the book.
Susan Kays novel Phantom, fills in those missing parts starting with Erik's birth & the fact his mother was horrified by his appearance.
The story unfolds with how she copes or I should say dosen't cope with this "monster child."
Right away you feel such powerful emotion for Erik, and although you want to despise Madeline for her treatment of her son, you can also understand her plight.
At times you feel she does love & want to protect him but the extreme measures she takes will scar Erik for the rest of his life.
When in a fit of anger his mother reveals her hatred of him & he in turn for her just about breaks your heart.
It was a scene that he would carry to his grave.
At this point Erik runs away..and too late, Madeline realises her love for her son.
For the rest of the story before it leads up the meeting with Christine, is such a powerful, emotional journey that you take with Erik.
You feel his pain..you visit his "dark side" as well as the very tormented & wanted to be loved side.
This book drew me in from the very first page..and had me crying at the end and wishing it wouldn't end.
The only thing I recommend you have with this book is a box of Kleenex.
This one goes on my keeper shelf! Not to miss for fans of Phantom Of The Opera!
And won't change my rating...still 5 stars!
In the Original novel by Gaston Leroux, few details are given regarding Erik's past, although there is no shortage of hints & implications throughout the book.
Susan Kays novel Phantom, fills in those missing parts starting with Erik's birth & the fact his mother was horrified by his appearance.
The story unfolds with how she copes or I should say dosen't cope with this "monster child."
Right away you feel such powerful emotion for Erik, and although you want to despise Madeline for her treatment of her son, you can also understand her plight.
At times you feel she does love & want to protect him but the extreme measures she takes will scar Erik for the rest of his life.
When in a fit of anger his mother reveals her hatred of him & he in turn for her just about breaks your heart.
It was a scene that he would carry to his grave.
At this point Erik runs away..and too late, Madeline realises her love for her son.
For the rest of the story before it leads up the meeting with Christine, is such a powerful, emotional journey that you take with Erik.
You feel his pain..you visit his "dark side" as well as the very tormented & wanted to be loved side.
This book drew me in from the very first page..and had me crying at the end and wishing it wouldn't end.
The only thing I recommend you have with this book is a box of Kleenex.
This one goes on my keeper shelf! Not to miss for fans of Phantom Of The Opera!
Currently reading
July 12, 2016Buddy-read with the amazing Hufflepuff Kitten commencing (finally! Thank you for your patience, my dear ♥ ) June 22nd!
December 7, 2021
Update 2021 - I needed sonething beautiful to bust up my reading and this is just the thint!!!
This is one of the books I've re-read many times and loved it!
It is a book I re-read when I need a heart-wrenching story that makes you cry!
This is one of the books I've re-read many times and loved it!
It is a book I re-read when I need a heart-wrenching story that makes you cry!
September 23, 2007
First I have to say, I never really was interested in the Phantom of the Opera. I'm still not inclined to see this musical anytime soon.
But the book is different. The author uses beautiful language that describes the emotions of the characters so well that you really emphasize with them. Especially the main character Erik, who was born with a mutilated face and has to wear a mask constantly to hide it.
The book is divided in several parts with different point of views. The first part is written from the point of View of Erik's mother and describes his birth and her disgust when she first sees her son.
It was a sad read which I usually can't stand, but it also builds a lot of suspense so you always want to read on.
It was really interesting to understand how Eriks character changes throughout the years: he is rejected from society time and time again and therefore learns to hate the human race which he distances himself from.
The love story from the original story is only dealt with at the very end of the book. It was also intersting but only a very small part of the book.
But the book is different. The author uses beautiful language that describes the emotions of the characters so well that you really emphasize with them. Especially the main character Erik, who was born with a mutilated face and has to wear a mask constantly to hide it.
The book is divided in several parts with different point of views. The first part is written from the point of View of Erik's mother and describes his birth and her disgust when she first sees her son.
It was a sad read which I usually can't stand, but it also builds a lot of suspense so you always want to read on.
It was really interesting to understand how Eriks character changes throughout the years: he is rejected from society time and time again and therefore learns to hate the human race which he distances himself from.
The love story from the original story is only dealt with at the very end of the book. It was also intersting but only a very small part of the book.
December 13, 2025
4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟 not me actually liking this more than the original novel 😭😭
I don’t even know what all to say about this, especially because my reviews always lean more towards keyboard smashing in general to convey my jumbled emotions and thoughts about whatever I just read.
For now, I’ll say that this definitely took the bones of the original novel, and the strengths of the musical (sans music), and really gave us a story that fills in the gaps I know I certainly wanted filled while reading the og novel and watching the musical.
I do have my issues with it (racism, sexual assault/attitudes surrounding women & women’s bodies and sexuality, weird incestuous implications at multiple parts of the story) but many of these can absolutely be chalked up to period accuracy and geography, and my overall experience wasn’t completely bogged down by those things.
I was right, Nadir and Erik’s friendship was my favorite dynamic in this entire story- they’re just fun to watch/read!
While I typically cannot stand books with more than three povs, the multiple povs in this book gave a lot more context to things I would wonder about the story- Erik’s parents, him and Nadir, his general life experience and what led to him in the Opera House, and then his relationship with Christine and the aftermath of that. I got the answers I needed, and I’m not disappointed in the least!
This won’t be for everyone, but it was for me!
I will be doing my annual 25th anniversary show rewatch and crying now that I can recognize a lot more angles to the story.
I don’t even know what all to say about this, especially because my reviews always lean more towards keyboard smashing in general to convey my jumbled emotions and thoughts about whatever I just read.
For now, I’ll say that this definitely took the bones of the original novel, and the strengths of the musical (sans music), and really gave us a story that fills in the gaps I know I certainly wanted filled while reading the og novel and watching the musical.
I do have my issues with it (racism, sexual assault/attitudes surrounding women & women’s bodies and sexuality, weird incestuous implications at multiple parts of the story) but many of these can absolutely be chalked up to period accuracy and geography, and my overall experience wasn’t completely bogged down by those things.
I was right, Nadir and Erik’s friendship was my favorite dynamic in this entire story- they’re just fun to watch/read!
While I typically cannot stand books with more than three povs, the multiple povs in this book gave a lot more context to things I would wonder about the story- Erik’s parents, him and Nadir, his general life experience and what led to him in the Opera House, and then his relationship with Christine and the aftermath of that. I got the answers I needed, and I’m not disappointed in the least!
This won’t be for everyone, but it was for me!
I will be doing my annual 25th anniversary show rewatch and crying now that I can recognize a lot more angles to the story.
March 30, 2009
I first read this book when I was 14, so it's hard to know how I would have felt about it if I'd read it now, because it is so deeply ingrained in how I approach the Phantom mythology and the character of Erik.
That said, I loved this book so much at 14 I remember reading the book during my freshman year classes, and then reading the whole thing over and over and over. Even now, I can pick up this book, flip to any random page, and just love wherever I'm at. There are only 2 other books I can do that with.
This is the reason why I love how goodread's star system work. The stars don't indicate "good book, ok book, bad book" but "I loved the book, I liked the book, etc." I would never tell you this book should be up for a Pulitzer prize, it's not Dostoevsky or Vonnegut, but it is absolutely one of my favorite and most enjoyed books of all time.
And just BTW -- why are so many reviewers calling him Eric? How could you have read a 500+ page book about this character and still get his name wrong? It's Erik. ERIK. With a K.
That said, I loved this book so much at 14 I remember reading the book during my freshman year classes, and then reading the whole thing over and over and over. Even now, I can pick up this book, flip to any random page, and just love wherever I'm at. There are only 2 other books I can do that with.
This is the reason why I love how goodread's star system work. The stars don't indicate "good book, ok book, bad book" but "I loved the book, I liked the book, etc." I would never tell you this book should be up for a Pulitzer prize, it's not Dostoevsky or Vonnegut, but it is absolutely one of my favorite and most enjoyed books of all time.
And just BTW -- why are so many reviewers calling him Eric? How could you have read a 500+ page book about this character and still get his name wrong? It's Erik. ERIK. With a K.
August 14, 2022
جامع ترین کلمه برای توصیف این کتاب فقط این است:
باشکوه!
باشکوه!
September 21, 2021
بازآفرینی ادبی همیشه کار سختی بوده و سخت تر از اون اینه که شخصیتِ یک داستان موفق و شناخته شده رو در ژانر دیگه برداری و دوباره در یک داستان دیگه بهش جون بدی .
شبح اپرای پاریس گاها چنان نگاه های دقیق تاریخی ، فلسفی ( فلسفه اخلاق منظورم ) ،روان شناسی و جامعه شناسی داره که نمی تونی صرفا یک رمان جذاب مثل بقیه رمان های داستانی دیگه بدونیش .
کاراکتر ها در طول داستان رشد می کنن و شما می تونید این سیر بلوغ رو چه در شخصیت اصلی یعنی اریک و چه در بقیه شخصیت های فرعی تر مثل نادر و رائول ببینید !
در دو قسمت نویسنده از نظر عاطفی به شما شوک وارد می کنه ، اولی در انتهای بخش پاریس و دومی در انتهای کتاب ! در اولی ما با یک عشق از دست رفته سر و کار داریم و در دومی عشق به تعهد و قول و قرار !
به نظر من این دو نمونه کامل ترین و پخته ترین درام هایی بودن که من در یک رمان خوندمش و چنان نفس گیر بودن که مجبور شدم چند روزی از ادامه خوندن کتاب دست بکشم ! حتی اگه دوست دارید نویسنده شید به نظرم متن این کتاب جنبه اموزشی هم می تونه داشته باشه ...
در فصل های پایانی شخصیت اصلی داستان ( اریک ) در حالی که دهه ها بود اعتقادات مذهبی خودش رو از دست داده بود ! در شرایطی شروع به راز و نیاز با خدا می کنه و حاضر به خاطر حل مشکلش به تمام عهد های گذشته بازگرده . این پلات برای من نه تنها از نظر داستانی گیرایی بالایی داشت بلکه نشون دهنده این اصل بود که انسان در اعماق وجود خودش همیشه می خواد به قدرتی اعتقاد داشته باشه که بتونه کار هایی که خودش توان انجامش رو نداره براش مُیسر کنه ! و همین دلیلی که اریک هم یک انسان نه یک هیولا !!!
به نظرم این کتاب حداقل برای من تو رده کتابهایی مثل خلاء موقت و برادران کارامازوف و آبلوموف قرار می گیره . کتاب ها که کاراکتر ها توشون رشد پیدا می کنن ، تغییر می کنن ... کتاب هایی که میشه باهاشون زندگی کرد و خیلی ساده با در دست گرفتن شون از دنیای خودت به دنیای کتاب سفر کرد .
شدیدا پیشنهاد می کنم این کتاب رو بخونید . قطعا یکی از بهترین کتاب های ترجمه شده در بازار ایران !
شبح اپرای پاریس گاها چنان نگاه های دقیق تاریخی ، فلسفی ( فلسفه اخلاق منظورم ) ،روان شناسی و جامعه شناسی داره که نمی تونی صرفا یک رمان جذاب مثل بقیه رمان های داستانی دیگه بدونیش .
کاراکتر ها در طول داستان رشد می کنن و شما می تونید این سیر بلوغ رو چه در شخصیت اصلی یعنی اریک و چه در بقیه شخصیت های فرعی تر مثل نادر و رائول ببینید !
در دو قسمت نویسنده از نظر عاطفی به شما شوک وارد می کنه ، اولی در انتهای بخش پاریس و دومی در انتهای کتاب ! در اولی ما با یک عشق از دست رفته سر و کار داریم و در دومی عشق به تعهد و قول و قرار !
به نظر من این دو نمونه کامل ترین و پخته ترین درام هایی بودن که من در یک رمان خوندمش و چنان نفس گیر بودن که مجبور شدم چند روزی از ادامه خوندن کتاب دست بکشم ! حتی اگه دوست دارید نویسنده شید به نظرم متن این کتاب جنبه اموزشی هم می تونه داشته باشه ...
در فصل های پایانی شخصیت اصلی داستان ( اریک ) در حالی که دهه ها بود اعتقادات مذهبی خودش رو از دست داده بود ! در شرایطی شروع به راز و نیاز با خدا می کنه و حاضر به خاطر حل مشکلش به تمام عهد های گذشته بازگرده . این پلات برای من نه تنها از نظر داستانی گیرایی بالایی داشت بلکه نشون دهنده این اصل بود که انسان در اعماق وجود خودش همیشه می خواد به قدرتی اعتقاد داشته باشه که بتونه کار هایی که خودش توان انجامش رو نداره براش مُیسر کنه ! و همین دلیلی که اریک هم یک انسان نه یک هیولا !!!
به نظرم این کتاب حداقل برای من تو رده کتابهایی مثل خلاء موقت و برادران کارامازوف و آبلوموف قرار می گیره . کتاب ها که کاراکتر ها توشون رشد پیدا می کنن ، تغییر می کنن ... کتاب هایی که میشه باهاشون زندگی کرد و خیلی ساده با در دست گرفتن شون از دنیای خودت به دنیای کتاب سفر کرد .
شدیدا پیشنهاد می کنم این کتاب رو بخونید . قطعا یکی از بهترین کتاب های ترجمه شده در بازار ایران !
August 30, 2018
داستان مهيج و قشنگي دارد. بعد از خواندن كتاب، ديدن فيلم و همچنين موسيقي زيبا فيلم خيلي مي چسبد. اجراي مختلفي ازاين كتاب شده است. زنديگي اريك خيلي عجيب است ، هيولايي كه كارهاي وحشتناكي كرده حتي قتل امير كبير ولي با خواندن سرگذشت او از خردسالي تا مرگ نمي توانيم بگوييم كه مقصر تمام كارهايي كه انجام داده خودش است
July 8, 2015
I have no words for how amazing this book is. BEST adaptation of the Phantom of the Opera I've ever read. Just ... wow.
February 8, 2025
انقدر حرف دارم راجبش بزنم که ترجیح میدم سکوت کنم یا حداقل با چند خط ناقابل اونو به اتمام برسونم!
من با خوندن نسخه اصلی شبح اپرا خیلی آشفته شده بودم؛ خیلی چیزها برام گنگ مونده بود و چون جوابی براشون پیدا نمیکردم عصبانی بودم.
این کتاب یه بازنویسی فوق العاده بود که با شفافیتش به معنای واقعی آرومم کرد و از ته دل "آخیش" گفتم.
ایده اصلی داستان خیلی پتانسیل بالایی برای نوشتن و بازنویسی داشت که نویسنده به بهترین شکل ازش استفاده کرده بود و با جسارت قابل تحسینش کتابی رو خلق کرده که حتی محبوب تر از اصلش میتونه باشه؛ حداقل برای من.
شبح اپرای پاریس، پر از احساسات عمیق بود و من کلی هم بابتش اشک ریختم که این موضوع ارزش اون رو برام بیشتر میکنه.
از یجایی به بعد حس کردم محتوای داستان چیز جدیدی برای گفتن نداره و همه چیز همونطوری که انتظار دارم پیش میره و غمگین بودم از این موضوع اما وقتی به اخرش رسیدم خوشحال بودم که داستان طور دیگه ای پیش رفت.
خلاصه که پیشنهادش میکنم"
من با خوندن نسخه اصلی شبح اپرا خیلی آشفته شده بودم؛ خیلی چیزها برام گنگ مونده بود و چون جوابی براشون پیدا نمیکردم عصبانی بودم.
این کتاب یه بازنویسی فوق العاده بود که با شفافیتش به معنای واقعی آرومم کرد و از ته دل "آخیش" گفتم.
ایده اصلی داستان خیلی پتانسیل بالایی برای نوشتن و بازنویسی داشت که نویسنده به بهترین شکل ازش استفاده کرده بود و با جسارت قابل تحسینش کتابی رو خلق کرده که حتی محبوب تر از اصلش میتونه باشه؛ حداقل برای من.
شبح اپرای پاریس، پر از احساسات عمیق بود و من کلی هم بابتش اشک ریختم که این موضوع ارزش اون رو برام بیشتر میکنه.
از یجایی به بعد حس کردم محتوای داستان چیز جدیدی برای گفتن نداره و همه چیز همونطوری که انتظار دارم پیش میره و غمگین بودم از این موضوع اما وقتی به اخرش رسیدم خوشحال بودم که داستان طور دیگه ای پیش رفت.
خلاصه که پیشنهادش میکنم"
December 14, 2019
I'm still going to give this book five stars, even if I found the last half of the book not as emotional or well written as the first half. I don't think anyone can top this retelling. It is beautifully written and truly captures the heart and soul of the Phantom, whom I've always been fascinated by but who has always remained only half formed in my mind, never fully developed. Susan brought him to life in this novel, and allowed the reader to follow him through his tragic life, from the time he was born, hideous and disfigured, to the end of his tale, when he meets Christine.
If not for the near instant devotion he gave to Christine, which didn't really make sense given the way Susan Kay portrayed his character, I would see no flaws in this book. But their relationship, and the Phantom's subsequent attachment to a girl who even Christine herself acknowledges as fickle and childish, made me enjoy the final chapters a bit less.
I wanted more depth in their relationship, like there was depth in the Phantom's relationships with his mother, and his teacher, and Nadir, his friend. I still bought their love story by the end, but I can't help but wondering if it was out of intense desire for this novel to be perfect to me. They definitely had a connection, but it was not grown slowly and beautifully. Instead it was immediate and almost made me resent Christine for not being an interesting enough character and being so easily able to win the Phantom's love.
Raoul was also annoying as hell in this adaption. Whenever I watch the Royal Albert Hall version of the play, I always have a certain fondness for Raoul. The way Hadley Frasier portrays him makes me actually believe he was a worthy rival for Christine's affections. When I watch the play, I can understand why near the end (when she finally finds out the Phantom is not her dad, which isn't a plot point in this book by the way, thank God) she is torn between them. In this book, I wanted Raoul to be killed off about as much as the Phantom did. He was such a sniveling, boy man, and since Christine was already plenty sniveling, she needed someone grown up, who could pull her up into the grown up world with him. And while the Phantom does remain a perpetual child in many respects(due to his trauma), he is a lot more grown up than either of them.
Regardless of my complaints, this really is a brilliant book. It's the story of man who above all else, wants to be loved, but can never admit it, and a faithless girl who finally does, after she gets the man she thought she wanted.
TW: Murder, torture, child abuse
If not for the near instant devotion he gave to Christine, which didn't really make sense given the way Susan Kay portrayed his character, I would see no flaws in this book. But their relationship, and the Phantom's subsequent attachment to a girl who even Christine herself acknowledges as fickle and childish, made me enjoy the final chapters a bit less.
I wanted more depth in their relationship, like there was depth in the Phantom's relationships with his mother, and his teacher, and Nadir, his friend. I still bought their love story by the end, but I can't help but wondering if it was out of intense desire for this novel to be perfect to me. They definitely had a connection, but it was not grown slowly and beautifully. Instead it was immediate and almost made me resent Christine for not being an interesting enough character and being so easily able to win the Phantom's love.
Raoul was also annoying as hell in this adaption. Whenever I watch the Royal Albert Hall version of the play, I always have a certain fondness for Raoul. The way Hadley Frasier portrays him makes me actually believe he was a worthy rival for Christine's affections. When I watch the play, I can understand why near the end (when she finally finds out the Phantom is not her dad, which isn't a plot point in this book by the way, thank God) she is torn between them. In this book, I wanted Raoul to be killed off about as much as the Phantom did. He was such a sniveling, boy man, and since Christine was already plenty sniveling, she needed someone grown up, who could pull her up into the grown up world with him. And while the Phantom does remain a perpetual child in many respects(due to his trauma), he is a lot more grown up than either of them.
Regardless of my complaints, this really is a brilliant book. It's the story of man who above all else, wants to be loved, but can never admit it, and a faithless girl who finally does, after she gets the man she thought she wanted.
TW: Murder, torture, child abuse
August 24, 2014
توضیح زیبایی این داستان از توان من خارجه.
از خوبیاش این بود که فقط داستان بود. یعنی همه چیزش داستان بود،نه فلسفه و درس زندگی و سخنانی که تو فکر فرو ببرن آدمو.
یه داستان پر از احساس های عمیق و لظیف انسانی
از خوبیاش این بود که فقط داستان بود. یعنی همه چیزش داستان بود،نه فلسفه و درس زندگی و سخنانی که تو فکر فرو ببرن آدمو.
یه داستان پر از احساس های عمیق و لظیف انسانی
August 3, 2024
این رها کن عشق های صورتی
نیست بر صورت نه بر روی ستی
آنچه معشوق است صورت نیست آن
خواه عشق این جهان خواه آن جهان
آنچه بر صورت تو عاشق گشته ای
چون برون شد جان چرایش هشته ای؟
صورتش بر جاست این سیری ز چیست
عاشقا. وا جو که معشوق تو کیست
مولانا
نیست بر صورت نه بر روی ستی
آنچه معشوق است صورت نیست آن
خواه عشق این جهان خواه آن جهان
آنچه بر صورت تو عاشق گشته ای
چون برون شد جان چرایش هشته ای؟
صورتش بر جاست این سیری ز چیست
عاشقا. وا جو که معشوق تو کیست
مولانا
February 9, 2017
Rating: 4.5 stars
I recently read The Phantom of the Opera, and while I liked it, I didn't love it. The character of Erik fascinated me, but I resented it when Christine and Raoul interrupted his story; they seemed almost superfluous, they bored me, they got in the way. So when Susan Kay's Phantom was recommended, I jumped at the chance to discover more about the enigmatic Erik.
Phantom begins with his birth; horribly disfigured, he's instantly rejected by his mother, a rejection which will impact upon his life forever. Persuaded by a priest to take him home and care for him but to never show him in public, the first thing she does is fashion a mask for her newborn son. But the mask cannot disguise her revulsion and the care she gives him is the basic minimum, unable and unwilling to show him any love or affection.
Hers is the first rejection of many, and as Erik grows from boy to man he suffers every humiliation and betrayal, retreating into the angry solitary life he creates for himself, living by his own set of rules and hardening his mind against humanity. Precociously gifted and perpetually feared, he travels the world with his mesmerising talents and murderous tendencies, but beneath the cruel exterior lies a man with a heart and soul, desperate for love and acceptance however suppressed those feeling might be; this heart and soul are glimpsed by a very select few who lives are touched by his loyal and gentle compassion. Up until this point, I adored everything about this novel. It's haunting and heartbreaking, and oh how my heart bled for this tender, terrifying man.
Unfortunately, the book came undone for me in the last quarter where it joins forces with The Phantom of the Opera in a virtual retelling of Christine and Raoul's part. With my preconceived dislike of them I accept that I'm to blame here, but I lost interest and began skim-reading; a frustrating end to an otherwise utterly riveting read.
2 stars from when Christine takes centre stage which brings my overall rating down, but the full 5 stars for Erik's spellbinding backstory; his tragically tormented tale will stay with me for a long time.
I recently read The Phantom of the Opera, and while I liked it, I didn't love it. The character of Erik fascinated me, but I resented it when Christine and Raoul interrupted his story; they seemed almost superfluous, they bored me, they got in the way. So when Susan Kay's Phantom was recommended, I jumped at the chance to discover more about the enigmatic Erik.
Phantom begins with his birth; horribly disfigured, he's instantly rejected by his mother, a rejection which will impact upon his life forever. Persuaded by a priest to take him home and care for him but to never show him in public, the first thing she does is fashion a mask for her newborn son. But the mask cannot disguise her revulsion and the care she gives him is the basic minimum, unable and unwilling to show him any love or affection.
Hers is the first rejection of many, and as Erik grows from boy to man he suffers every humiliation and betrayal, retreating into the angry solitary life he creates for himself, living by his own set of rules and hardening his mind against humanity. Precociously gifted and perpetually feared, he travels the world with his mesmerising talents and murderous tendencies, but beneath the cruel exterior lies a man with a heart and soul, desperate for love and acceptance however suppressed those feeling might be; this heart and soul are glimpsed by a very select few who lives are touched by his loyal and gentle compassion. Up until this point, I adored everything about this novel. It's haunting and heartbreaking, and oh how my heart bled for this tender, terrifying man.
Unfortunately, the book came undone for me in the last quarter where it joins forces with The Phantom of the Opera in a virtual retelling of Christine and Raoul's part. With my preconceived dislike of them I accept that I'm to blame here, but I lost interest and began skim-reading; a frustrating end to an otherwise utterly riveting read.
2 stars from when Christine takes centre stage which brings my overall rating down, but the full 5 stars for Erik's spellbinding backstory; his tragically tormented tale will stay with me for a long time.
March 10, 2013
Oh boy. I could talk about this book for longer than it takes to read it, but I think I can sum up my feelings on it in one sentence.
It is my absolute favorite novel that I have ever read.
I have read quite a few novels. It's hard to decisively say which is my favorite. That is, it would be hard, had I not read this book.
I've been in a sort of love affair with the story of the Phantom of the Opera for a year or so now. It started with a webcomic. That's another story. Right now we're talking about an absolutely brilliant book.
I've read this book cover to cover twice. The first time, while it affected me, I really hadn't thought about the character enough to realize how in-depth the story goes. The second time I read it, I could only read a couple of pages at a time before having to put it down because of how damn powerful it is.
Susan Kay really knows how to use characters and the dynamics between them. Every relationship is believable, from that of Madeleine to Marie to Erik and Nadir. They all have their distinct characterizations.
Kay has created what is one of the best books that very few people seem to know about. I would recommend it to literally anyone.
It is my absolute favorite novel that I have ever read.
I have read quite a few novels. It's hard to decisively say which is my favorite. That is, it would be hard, had I not read this book.
I've been in a sort of love affair with the story of the Phantom of the Opera for a year or so now. It started with a webcomic. That's another story. Right now we're talking about an absolutely brilliant book.
I've read this book cover to cover twice. The first time, while it affected me, I really hadn't thought about the character enough to realize how in-depth the story goes. The second time I read it, I could only read a couple of pages at a time before having to put it down because of how damn powerful it is.
Susan Kay really knows how to use characters and the dynamics between them. Every relationship is believable, from that of Madeleine to Marie to Erik and Nadir. They all have their distinct characterizations.
Kay has created what is one of the best books that very few people seem to know about. I would recommend it to literally anyone.
September 27, 2021
This is one of the books that I would re-read once a year (sometimes more) since I discovered it almost 15 years ago at my school library. A must read for phantom of the opera lovers.
One of the most expensive book I've owned. It was really hard to track it down and I had to go to one of the big bookstores in the city center to order it, but this book is worth every cent. This book is centered around Erik's background since he was born up to the burning of the opera. If you ever wonder about Erik's background, wonder no more. This book is wonderful and I simply can't express my appreciation for it. Thank you, Ms. Kay for such a lovely book.
One of the most expensive book I've owned. It was really hard to track it down and I had to go to one of the big bookstores in the city center to order it, but this book is worth every cent. This book is centered around Erik's background since he was born up to the burning of the opera. If you ever wonder about Erik's background, wonder no more. This book is wonderful and I simply can't express my appreciation for it. Thank you, Ms. Kay for such a lovely book.
March 18, 2021
عید دوسال پیش، من کتاب شبح اپرا رو شروع کردم و زیاد دوستش نداشتم.
امسال، کانلا تصادفی این کتاب رو برای خوندن انتخاب کردم، در صورتیکه نمیدونستم الهام گرفته از کتاب شبح اپراست..
خیلی خیلی جذابتر، روانتر و کاملتر بود..
عشق و هیجان در کل کتاب جریان داشت و این دو عنصر کتاب رو تبدیل کرده بودند به چیزی که نمیتونستی زمین بذاریش.
وجود مرد ایرانی در کتاب، و سفر اریک(شخصیت اصلی داستان) به ایران در زما ناصرالدین شاه و نقشش در قتل امیرکبیر، من رو به عنوان یک خواننده ایرانی به شوق اورد..
امسال، کانلا تصادفی این کتاب رو برای خوندن انتخاب کردم، در صورتیکه نمیدونستم الهام گرفته از کتاب شبح اپراست..
خیلی خیلی جذابتر، روانتر و کاملتر بود..
عشق و هیجان در کل کتاب جریان داشت و این دو عنصر کتاب رو تبدیل کرده بودند به چیزی که نمیتونستی زمین بذاریش.
وجود مرد ایرانی در کتاب، و سفر اریک(شخصیت اصلی داستان) به ایران در زما ناصرالدین شاه و نقشش در قتل امیرکبیر، من رو به عنوان یک خواننده ایرانی به شوق اورد..
September 13, 2008
This is one of my favorite books. If you like the story of the Phantom of the Opera, you'll be both astounded and heartbroken by Susan Kay's portrayal of Eric's life - from his birth, to after his death.
Often, with tales from the "bad guy's" perspective, you start to feel sorry for the antagonist. The traditional Phantom of the Opera does this already; you feel sorry for the "bad guy," but you ultimately end up siding with Christine.
Phantom does something a little different. You fall in love with him, you obsess over him and with him, you despair with him, you agree with his every action and cheer him on, and you're surprised by his strength and intellect on every single page. And don't worry, you can see his art and hear his music as you read. Yes, it's THAT awesome.
Often, with tales from the "bad guy's" perspective, you start to feel sorry for the antagonist. The traditional Phantom of the Opera does this already; you feel sorry for the "bad guy," but you ultimately end up siding with Christine.
Phantom does something a little different. You fall in love with him, you obsess over him and with him, you despair with him, you agree with his every action and cheer him on, and you're surprised by his strength and intellect on every single page. And don't worry, you can see his art and hear his music as you read. Yes, it's THAT awesome.
May 24, 2021
... به زحمت می توانستم باور کنم که انسان ها تا این حد می توانند سقوط کنند.
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