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The Phantom of the Opera

Gaston Leroux

Start date: September 1, 2026

Finish date: October 31, 2026

Discussion: The Horror of it All

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The Horror of it All

* 2026 Horror Reading Schedule
By Book Nerd , Purple Book Horse · 4 posts · 30 views

last updated Nov 13, 2025 04:43PM

* 2025 Horror Reading Schedule
By Book Nerd , Purple Book Horse · 4 posts · 122 views

last updated Aug 21, 2025 07:16AM

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What Members Thought

May 25, 2024 Shirley (stampartiste) rated it liked it

Shelves: published-1900-1999, read-classics, to-read-in-2024, challenge-bingo-2024

It’s hard for me to rate this book. The mystery of who the phantom was kept me interested throughout, but his violent sadistic nature kept me from seeing him as a tragic figure. I didn’t think it was particularly well written (I understand there are no really good English translations), and reading it in French only improved it somewhat for me. It almost reads like a dry newspaper report of strange happenings at the Paris Opera House. As the narrator (a reporter?) relates the story, it is almost ...more

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May 08, 2020 Anubha rated it liked it · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Intriguing gothic fiction

I have to say despite a narrator who discloses the plot ending at the very beginning of the novel, I found the book quite interesting. Some things that I couldn't quite believe was the artistic license that the author took while describing the architecture of the opera house. I am not sure if it is possible to have an entire lake below the opera house. But, later reading about the construction of the Paris Opera House, I did find out that there was water seepage in the f Intriguing gothic fiction

I have to say despite a narrator who discloses the plot ending at the very beginning of the novel, I found the book quite interesting. Some things that I couldn't quite believe was the artistic license that the author took while describing the architecture of the opera house. I am not sure if it is possible to have an entire lake below the opera house. But, later reading about the construction of the Paris Opera House, I did find out that there was water seepage in the foundation of the opera house because of a subterranean water body.
Despite being told from the point of view of a detective who is narrating the incidents that took place some 30 years ago, the novel is more of romantic fiction.

The story is about a disfigured man who lives under the opera house to hide away from the world and falls in love with an opera singer, Christine Daae. The book is as much about the mysterious disappearances, and freak accidents as it is about the Phantom of Opera's search for true love. Because of his disfigured face, he was never shown love, not even by his own parents. Despite his genius, his abilities he could not be accepted in society, so he created a world for himself and shunned mankind altogether. He also shunned the cumbersome morals of mankind.

The story is as much a thrilling, lyrical mystery as it is one man's search for acceptance. For the longest time, I was confused whether the Phantom of the Opera was a ghost or a man and in that, I think the author succeeded in his mission. I was terrified at times, the dark dungeons, the world underground, the eerie lake, all aroused in my imagination a closed, dark, and macabre world, almost suffocating.

However, that picture of suffocation also reminded me how cut-off and isolated the Phantom aka Erik himself felt. Long before the big reveal I started feeling a mixture of fear and pity for him, much like Christine Daae and I realised how these emotions must have infuriated the Phantom himself. To be misunderstood. To be treated with fear, apathy, revulsion, or pity. No one loved him for who he was and that neglect pushed him to his dangerous edge. All his violence was a result of his misunderstood intentions most of the time. In his mind, he had accepted his endless suffering, his fate to be a lonesome outlaw, a phantasm drawing horror from people. in his own words,

"One must get used to everything, even eternity."

Ultimately, he relinquishes Christine, overcoming his obsession for her. He had found his true love. Someone who loved him for himself and was not afraid of him anymore.

My problem with the text was the narrative device used. The detective who was narrating the novel, revealed several plot points that could have been avoided but I think it is more due to 19th century's style of narrating novels. It was quite popular at the time. I think it also created a sense of credibility because a lot of events in the novel's plot were inspired by real events and narrating through a investigative detective's point blurred the lines of fiction and reality perhaps.

I still feel I have left a lot untouched in this review but this a good old fashined mystery/ romance. Give it a try. I am off to watching the movie adaptation now. ...more

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Jan 24, 2019 Jamie rated it it was amazing

I adored this book. I have always loved the Opera by the same name that is loosely based on the novel and even dressed up as the Phantom for Halloween one year when I was a child. This is why I was surprised when I came across the book in the Classic's section at Barnes and Noble and realized I hadn't read it. I guess it just slipped my mind for twenty years that the play was based on a novel, I never thought to read it. I bought the book immediately and took it home to read that week. It was an ...more

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Jan 23, 2023 adele rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ehrtbm-book-group

When I say that I’m not sure whether I like the play or the book more, I am in no way including the music in that consideration. This story is weird but in a weird way makes more sense than the events in the play?? I like Madam Giry in the musical so much more and had the songs running in my head the whole time so that was nice

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