The Phantom of the Opera - Gaston Leroux

[CZCampbell]

Great review! I read the novel years ago and then, after not thinking about it for some time, stumbled across the most recent Hollywood rendition. It gave new life to the book for me and I knew I had to reread it. Shortly after reading the book again, I re-watched that movie and it made every scene more meaningful to me. The little parts they included in the movie that were a bigger deal in the book - for example the room of mirrors, took on a new importance.

[razain]

Nice review

[Naval Aulakh]

I really liked your review. It is well written and you have even explained your feelings about the book.

[KatSims92]

I read the book version a long time ago, but of course, I prefer the musical. I always end up feeling sorry for the phantom, even though he has serious issues. I'd recommend reading about the history of the book, because it's seriously creepy stuff, like the real life opera house supposedly had a composer who fled to live under the opera house after a fire damaged his face. Interesting stuff like that.

[Mallory Porshnev]

I loved this book. I had seen movie and play adaptations before and had never read it. So, I was surprised by the differences. The book is so much darker and a lot more a horror than a love story, I think. I really enjoyed it.

[Lil Reads]

I really wish the book was more well known; the story has multiple levels to consider. Was Christine more susceptible to Erik's suggestions because her guardians told her to believe in the Angel of Music? Was the relationship between Raoul and Christine built on their childhood friendship or did they latch onto each other because of what happened with Erik? What is the real story of Erik's life?

[bclayton13]

I loved the movie and the book, and I have to say that they're both very different. The Opera Ghost is definitely more sinister in the book, I highly recommend giving it a try.

[bclayton13]

I loved this book. I had seen movie and play adaptations before and had never read it. So, I was surprised by the differences. The book is so much darker and a lot more a horror than a love story, I think. I really enjoyed it.

I absolutely agree! The movie is great for when you're in the mood for something beautiful. The book is for when you want something scary.

[La Stilla]

Even as my copy of the "Phantom of the Opera" isn't perfect, the book grew on me, and I often read it. It's very darkly romantic and melodramatic, it has some beautiful chapters, as "The magical violin", "The masquerade", or "Apollo's Lyre". It does lack logic in places though. While not masterfully executed, the premise and plot are very promising, twisted and I begin to love it.
The musical while being sensational, is not my cup of tea. I would love to read Leroux other works similar as this one, like "The kiss that killed" and his other macabre works,but they are not translated...

[Dimi1]

I think it's one of the few cases where the movie and the theatrical performance are far better than the book. I managed to follow the 'proper' series of events, i.e. I at first read the book, then saw the theatrical and then the movie. The music grips the audience and this is a feeling impossible to occur with the book even if it's intriguing if considered as a standalone work. Great review either way for anyone that didn't manage or didn't get into the temptation to see the theatrical or the movie. If he/she manages to see it before reading the book then I think the magic is lost.

[Little_Lotte]

I read the book as a school assignment and it was perfect at that moment. It was dark and deep, and the characters are close to my heart

[Hildehraefen]

So a literature teacher told me that this was one of the original horror novels. I got a copy at the library, read it, and thought, "That wasn't really scary." Then I looked at the publication information and realized I had accidentally picked up a children's abridged edition. So then I got the unabridged version and read it- yep, it's scary. The part where Christine has to choose whether to turn the grasshopper or scorpion really got to me, I remember feeling as though I was experiencing the character's paralyzing helplessness as I read.

[Majd Ali]

I really enjoyed reading the Phantom of the Opera. I am very glad I had the chance to watch the play live in London, which made me love the book more and be more connected to the characters. I recommend reading the book, and watching the play.

[Elendu Ekechukwu]

I watched the movie and also read the book. The book was incredibly good. Couldn't stop thinking about it.

[Ra Ka]

I haven't read the book, but from your review there seems to be a difference between the book and the movie, so it's a must to get this great book. Thanks for the review