1
Everyone at one point in their lives has heard of the story of The Phantom of the Opera whether it is the oringal novel version or Andrew Lyod Webber's musical.However this is where it all began with the publication of Leroux's original novel.
I must admit that at first glance the book seems very dry and written more or less from a reporter or journalist's perspective.More or less it reminded me of Bram Stoker's novel Dracula in the fact that many of the areas of the book are written though the point of others.But once you get past seemingly the dry exterior you find an immeasurable cornucopia of amazing characters,events and one of the best literary love's and gothic work of fiction.IT personally took me a good 20 pages before I became completely absorbed in Leroux's rich world of amazing detail.
The story mainly revolves around the Vicomte Raoul de Chagny who has fallen in love with the beautiful Christine Daae who is being haunted by a mysterious "ghost" in her dressing room.The plot moves as anyone would suspect when Christine begins to return the feelings of the Vicomte but then he soon comes to realize that Christine's ghost is real and has a thing or three to say about their relationship.
I found this novel amazing,I read it in one day from the moment I picked it up and nearly had it confiscated when I was reading it in class when I should have been taking notes.There is just so much raw emotion,mystery and love in this amazing story.I could not help but be swept up in it like a tidal wave.The book gives the character of the Phantom,or Erik,so much more depth and emotions than what the ALW version even began to scratch the surface of.No matter who you are,whether or not you support Erik or not,you cannot help but be moved at his attempts to woe Christine and how shallow,yet dangerously innocent she is.
Erik has earned,on my shelf,the award of being one of the best literary characters.His love for Christine is just simply so pure that your sympathy for him is great.This book actually had me moved to tears.Luckily I was in the shelter of my room with the door safely closed so I could cry in peace at the ending.Under normal circumstances,many people see myself as the stone cold person who never cries in movies or books,but this book is the only one that has ever brought tears to my eyes.
I have read it over and over,never once have I ever regreated my purchess in any way,shape,manor or fashion.I highly recomend this to every soul on earth.
2
I admit it,I'm a wimp.I hear the word Horror and run in the other direction,whimpering.Not for me the gory slasher Phantoms who disfigure their respective Christines.But give me angst,plot,character depth and I'm there.This book does more:it gives you all of that,and it makes it FUNNY!
I reluctantly picked up "Phantom",expecting horror,and was pleasantly surprised by its absence.Yes,there are creepy moments and "yikes!" jumpy scenes,but by and large,it's a wry,funny,fast-paced romantic thriller rather than any sort of gloomy Gothic blood-fest.
Leroux' dry humour is what keeps the pace cracking,and the story never flags.I don't know why anyone would think it slow:I was entranced from page 1 and had no problem reading all the way through.Like all good humour,it eventually leaves off the gags and leads us into a tender,poignant and unabashedly tragic finale.By the time you get there,you're completely hooked.
In addition to the humour,there is depth.Leroux' characters are quirky and fascinating,and not nearly as simplistic as they are often portrayed.
On the whole,this is a highly enjoyable,playful,fun read,with surprising depth of character and plot.It entertains,thrills,touches your heart -- and leaves you with just enough questions to keep your mind ticking over for a long,long time.
3
Often times mentioning "The Phantom of the Opera" ellicits snickers from theatre purists who see the musical as a somewhat ridiculously overblown slightly stupid story which all seems too far fetched to be taken seriously.I confess,I first fell in love with the story when I saw Andrew Lloyd Webber's rendition of the show (which I've seen about five times now) - a show which I now realize that if taken by itself,tends to be a somewhat ridiculously overblown slightly stupid story which seems too far fetched to be taken seriously.The original book changes everything.
Not only does the book contain the story of Erik,the Opera Ghost,but it also includes some of Leroux's own research into the story which he claims as true.Not only does he make this somewhat extrodinary claim to the truth of the story,but he in rather fine detail shows how there was really nothing supernatural at all about the story:even the seeming supernatural elements all have simple solutions:many of which Leroux himself found the 'keys' to while doing research for the book.
The book blows the musical away.Like sand-blasting a soup craker.But before I say more I will say that the musical picks up on many of the important parts of the book:that is to say,I would recommend reading the book and getting to know the story well,because then even though the musical only picks up on many of the important parts and not all,you'll know the rest of the story:and suddenly the musical won't be a somewhat ridiculously overblown slightly stupid story which seems too far fetched to be taken seriously - it's actually very believable.
Admittedly,it would have been far too difficult to make the entire story into a musical:but let me whet your appetite for the fuller details of this incredible love story by touching on a few of the most important difference between the book and the musical.
4
Oh my god!I love this book!Its just so scary!I brought it to my friend's sleepover and read the part when the Phantom takes Christine to his house in the vaults of the Opera house,and they fell in love with it!I would recommend it to anyone!
P.S.If you dont cry after you read the last chapter,you have a heart of stone!