The Phantom of the Opera - Gaston Leroux

[lourdesinwonderland]

Like many books I've read throughout my entire life, this one turned out to be different from what I expected at the beginning. Nevertheless, I consider myself a young reader, and there's still much more adventures for me to discover in the word universe.

Concerning the book in general, at the moment of finishing it I found myself quite confused about my feelings towards it. The elements of horror and mystery concerning the "Opera Ghost" were objects of attraction to me from the very beginning, and the author was able to grant me with the sensation of suspense in vaious points of the text. The psychopathy of the said Phantom takes an increasing speed throughout the tale, making it a tragic love story of a lunatic person that makes a girl the object of his obsession. Like other psychopaths, he cares more about his well-being than his loved one's. Furthermore, he becomes addicted to something, and that only: her voice. He becomes her personal Angel of Music, and tries to convince her that without him, her talent would be nothing.

"The Phantom" can be taken as a symbol of a unrequited love that eventually turns into an obession. The writing style is evidently european, and uses many french phrases and such, very much alike other authors from the same period, such as Lewis Carrol or C. S. Lewis. I enjoyed the aformentioned expressions and leared a little about the french language. Nonetheless, in some parts of the tale, I would've cared more for a detailed environment, but I cannot put much negativity into this: the styling of that period, like I mentioned, is particular, and the prominence of dialogues above anything else is common.

Overall, I enjoyed reading the book and I added it to the list of classics that I've gone through this year. I recommend it to anyone who likes to absorb suspense in tragic love.

RATING: 4/5
Thanks for reading!

[Topcho]

Nice review! Really liked how you put in words your thoughts about the psychology and the symbols in the book. I read The Phantom of the Opera few years ago and gave it the same rating. It was nice read, but I guess I expected something more, after watching and listening to so many different versions of the songs (that I absolutely love). It was as if it lacked a bit in power and atmosphere, and didn't have the impact on me I was expecting. Maybe if I was to read the book without being exposed on the other media beforehand, I'd like it more.

[Gravy]

I picked this up to read because...well...why not?
I didn't have any feelings toward it before starting it...just found myself in the mood for it.

I've read a lot of classics lately that I've looked forward to reading...and just never got around to...that actually disappointed me. That's not to say I didn't enjoy them, just that they weren't what I expected, or wanted them to be.

This wasn't one of them.

I never thought I'd read this, it was just never something that called to me, but I'm so glad I did. I loved it.

[gali]

I didn't read the book, but saw the movie and loved it.

[Heidi M Simone]

I haven't the book either, but absolutely loved the movie! It was actually nice seeing this forum because it reminded me that I would like to read The Phantom of the Opera. So thank you for opening it up!

[Amose13]

Oh the book is so much different than the movie/musical. It's one of the most fascinating books I have ever read. Seeing Webber's version of it after having read it, there are so many things he alludes to that aren't explicit in the show/movie but are references to the novel!! It's such a cool and creepy book!!

[mgprice]

Love, love, love this book (and the movie, too)! This is such a classic, one that can be read over and over and over again. It will never get old. I find that re-reading books, especially some of the classics with thick story lines and hidden meanings, is very helpful. I get something different from each read.

[Jjnessie 33]

i love it i also saw the play and the movie enjoyed it all totally worth my time

[Hampton_Roe]

I always wanted to see the play but it was always so expensive...

[Insightsintobooks]

I loved the movie, but I think that the book was so much better.

[ollesternberg]

The Phantom of the Opera (French: Le Fantôme de l'Opéra) is a novel by French writer Gaston Leroux. It was first published as a serialisation in Le Gaulois from September 23, 1909, to January 8, 1910. It was published in volume form in late March 1910 by Pierre Lafitte. The novel is partly inspired by historical events at the Paris Opera during the nineteenth century and an apocryphal tale concerning the use of a former ballet pupil's skeleton in Carl Maria von Weber's 1841 production of Der Freischütz.[2] It has been successfully adapted into various stage and film adaptations, most notable of which are the 1925 film depiction featuring Lon Chaney and Andrew Lloyd Webber's 1986 musical.

[Acwoolet]

I really need to pick up a copy of this. I love classic books, and I've always loved the play. I don't know why I've never read it before. Great review!

[QuillReads22]

Great review! This book is one of my favorites, though I do have to say, it can be a little slow for me at times. The language is great and the characterization of the Phantom is always better in literature than it is in the Lloyed Webber material. For those of you looking for a good theatrical version of this book, I personally like Maury Yeston's, "Phantom" better.

[ReadtoLive]

I read this book when I was a teenager, and was really struck by how creepy it was, and also a tragic story of love gone wrong that turns to obsession. I think both the book and the movie version make you feel sorry for the Phantom, as he's someone who, due to his appearance, could never fit into normal society. Good review, btw. : )

[ollesternberg]

I didn't read the book, but saw the movie and loved it.

yes i loved it too