The Phantom of the Opera
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4.5 • 719 Ratings
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Publisher Description
The story of a man named Erik, an eccentric, physically deformed genius who terrorizes the Opera Garnier in Paris. He builds his home beneath it and takes the love of his life, a beautiful soprano, under his wing.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
The inaugural release in the Horror Writers Association Haunted Library of Horror Classics series will be a revelation to those familiar only with the musical based on the 1910 novel by LeRoux (1868 1927). The tale of a Paris opera house inhabited by a spectral figure with seemingly magical abilities remains genuinely creepy today. Much of the book's power stems from the author's presentation of his narrative as the factual product of his own diligent archival research and interviews with survivors of the phenomenon. This understated treatment means that even his spoiler-laden prologue heightens rather than lessens suspense. A turnover in the management of the opera house coincides with sightings of the so-called Opera ghost and the grim discovery of the hanged corpse of Joseph Buquet, the company's chief scene-shifter. These events are followed by an unexpectedly triumphant performance by Christine Dae , who previously had an undistinguished singing career, which proves to be linked to the phantom. Fans of literate horror, whatever their opinion of Andrew Lloyd Weber, will be gratified.
Customer Reviews
Not as good as the broadway
The book was good but not as good as the broadway. I feel like the book needed some awesome singing to go with it!:)
Haunting
This story was purely stunning. In the beginning, I was confused, having seen the play and the movie, as to who the characters were; in the middle of the story, it was chilling, but almost comical in the ways that he taunted the managers; and the ending is BEAUTIFUL. I would probably get my lopped off for saying this, but, in my opinion, the book is the original, and by far the best, interpretation. A fantastic ending, with plenty of suspense leading up to it which I had not found in the play. All in all, a fabulous story, that infused happiness and sadness in one ending, bringing me to tears, which I admit fully and to the extent of my eyes burning with a weird contentment. A classic.
Not like the play
If you were to read this book after having loved the play, you would think that Andrew Lloyd Webber went a little crazy with his interpretation. However, if you look at it as two different stories you will LOVE it. This truly is a good book.