The Phantom of the Opera - Week 1

[Gem , Moderator]

The Phantom of the Opera - Week 1
March 10 - March 16
Chapters - Introduction - Chapter 5

I've been wanting to read this novel for a long time. I hope it lives up to the opera I saw on Broadway 100 years ago. I absolutely loved the opera and I hope the novel doesn't let me down.

This week's reading, in my mind, is mostly an introduction to the characters and a bit of background about the Opera House.

1) In the Preface the book's narrator tells of the methods he used to research the legend of the phantom. Who is the narrator? Is he a character in the book who will reveal himself later?

2) Do you think Joseph Buquet hanged himself? Or did he have help?

3) Why do you think the new directors take the warnings of the outgoing directors concerning the ghost and box 5 as a joke?

4) Christine and Raoul have history together. Raoul is in love with her. Do you think this is going to be a straightforward romantic relationship? Or do we expect some obstacles to overcome? Any idea what those might be?

5) Who is Christine’s angel of music?

[Nancy]

Gem, if I am the only other person participating in this read I’ll be happy to share it with you if you are willing to continue. If not, I certainly understand. Either way, here are my comments on chapters 1-5.

1. My understanding is that Gaston Leroux himself is the narrator in his professional guise as a reporter, probably to give credence to the idea that the Ghost is real. Of course, this is complicated by the fact that he uses the viewpoint of other characters to tell his tale.

2. I’m not sure about the reason for Buquet’s death, but it certainly dampens the mood and hints that another evil event has occurred.

3. The new directors may be fools who will eventually regret doubting the stories; however, as someone who doesn’t believe in ghosts, I must confess that I would also be a doubter.

4. I can see tons of obstacles. Christine has secrets, appears fearful, and alternates between welcoming Raoul and exhibiting irritation with him.

5. Definitely, the Ghost is her angel and the disembodied voice in her dressing room. This also accounts for her nervousness and secretiveness. Not only has the phantom probably warned her to tell no one about his help, she may also feel that she is quite literally playing with the devil.

[sabagrey]

I've just begun and I only drop in here to say how much I enjoy this type of old-fashioned French - subjonctif II and all that ;-)).

Maybe it is just my personal impression that the French of that period sounds much more dated and elevated in style than the English? ... It could have something to do with different literary traditions and cultures.

[Robin P, Moderator]

sabagrey wrote: "I've just begun and I only drop in here to say how much I enjoy this type of old-fashioned French - subjonctif II and all that ;-)).

Maybe it is just my personal impression that the French of tha..."

The French had the Académie Française, which regulated the language, and culturally there was a bigger difference between spoken and written French than English, and a lot of pride in the language for the educated classes. I still notice that, when a politician like Macron gives a speech, it is more formal than an American politician. French novels into the 20th century used forms like the "passé simple" and subjunctive tenses that were rarely used in speech. Even popular songs in mid-20th century sometimes used those.

I wasn't going to read this because I was so annoyed by the musical (I only saw the movie, not the show) and how the woman had zero agency, just pulled back and forth by men. But if it's in French, I might check it out.

[sabagrey]

I remember the rather ridiculous efforts of the Académie to translate computer lingo to French and to impose their creations ;-). I've read mainly recent French literature these last years - and not much of it - , and the break with the old 'academic' tradition is stark. I think I'll have to look up when and how it started - the first French novel in colloquial language or dialect, or sth. of the kind? ... but let's close the language parenthesis and return to the novel)

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

Robin, I've never seen the musical, but have read the book, which was really dark at times.

[Robin P, Moderator]

sabagrey wrote: "I remember the rather ridiculous efforts of the Académie to translate computer lingo to French and to impose their creations ;-). I've read mainly recent French literature these last years - and no..."

Zazie dans le métro was infamous for this in 1959. It is told in present tense, in slang, with swearing:

«– Zazie, déclare Gabriel en prenant un air majestueux trouvé sans peine dans son répertoire, si ça te plaît de voir vraiment les Invalides et le tombeau véritable du vrai Napoléon, je t'y conduirai.
– Napoléon mon cul, réplique Zazie. Il m'intéresse pas du tout, cet enflé, avec son chapeau à la con.
– Qu'est-ce qui t'intéresse alors?
Zazie ne répond pas.
– Oui, dit Charles avec une gentillesse inattendue, qu'est-ce qui t'intéresse?
– Le métro.»

"Zazie," declares Gabriel, striking a majestic pose easily drawn from his repertoire, "if you would really like to see the real tomb of the real Napoleon, I will take you there."
"Napoleon my ass," replies Zazie, "he doesn't interest me at all, that fathead with his stupid hat."
"What does interest you then?"
"The métro"

[sabagrey]

ah oui, Zazie et "Napoléon mon cul" ;-)) ... read it a long time ago. But if asked for a time for the "fall from academic heights", I think I would have guessed the period of the 50s/early 60s.

... well, back to the Phantom. On the one hand I like it that the author gives his story the air of a documentary, to enhance credibility. On the other hand, that makes for slow progress so far, with every single manifestation of the 'ghost' reported in detail & in speech.

I don't have speculations so early on - I just want to get into the story where I don't feel I have arrived yet.

[Robin P, Moderator]

We find in a lot of 19th century writing a great concern to establish credibility - a document was found in a trunk, or letters were bequeathed to the author, or someone told him/her the story directly, etc.

[sabagrey]

Robin P wrote: "We find in a lot of 19th century writing a great concern to establish credibility - a document was found in a trunk, or letters were bequeathed to the author, or someone told him/her the story dire..."

Yes, that came to my mind as soon as I had written my comment: it was nothing unusual for the period.

[Robin P, Moderator]

sabagrey wrote: "Robin P wrote: "We find in a lot of 19th century writing a great concern to establish credibility - a document was found in a trunk, or letters were bequeathed to the author, or someone told him/he..."

Still, it's interesting to see the variety of techniques authors used for this, so I appreciate that you singled it out.

[Gem , Moderator]

Nancy wrote: "Gem, if I am the only other person participating in this read I’ll be happy to share it with you if you are willing to continue. If not, I certainly understand. Either way, here are my comments on ...

3. The new directors may be fools who will eventually regret doubting the stories; however, as someone who doesn’t believe in ghosts, I must confess that I would also be a doubter."

Thanks, Nancy, seems we have a few participants.

I absolutely agree with you here. I wouldn't believe there was a ghost. We as the readers certainly have enough information to know something is going on. It always fascinated me how different people come at an issue/problem from different angles and perspectives. I think they will be sorry in the end.

[Gem , Moderator]

Robin P wrote: "sabagrey wrote: "I've just begun and I only drop in here to say how much I enjoy this type of old-fashioned French - subjonctif II and all that ;-)).

Maybe it is just my personal impression that ..."

I'd give my eye teeth to be able to read books in the original Russian, Italian, and French. Alas, while I can speak some Spanish, I only read English.