- Paperback: 288 pages
- Publisher: Penguin Classics; New Ed edition (27 Sep 2007)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0140621741
- ISBN-13: 978-0140621747
- Product Dimensions: 18 x 1.8 x 11.1 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 208,547 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Phantom of the Opera
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Product Description
Review
"Ingenious . . . breathless suspense." --"The Nation"
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
Review
""A venerable, much-adapted story of grand, delicate feelings and gothic creepiness." --"New York Times
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Love, hate, horror, the Phantom of the Opera has all this, making it one of the most captivating books ever. The book by the detective writer Gaston LeRoux tells the tale of Paris Opera house and its resident phantom. The book conceived by the author after a thorough investigation brings a believable portrayal of the events that had occurred at the time. Its basis on realistic facts makes it all the more believable.
The plot surrounds several characters that work at an opera house. The opera, well renowned for its plays also holds a deeper secret. When the new managers receive threats from a mysterious ghost, leaving letters initialled “O.G.”, a series of events are triggered that cause chaos in the opera house. Although this is how the book is introduced, its tone changes later in the book, focussing on the personality of the opera ghost. A story of love and sadness is revealed, piece-by-piece. The ending is startling leaving an air of melancholy in the reader’s heart.
The book was set in the late 19th century, recently after the opera house was constructed. The author himself was a great fan of the opera, and frequented it quite often. After hearing tales of the famous opera ghost, the author explored the opera house behind the scenes and discovered a vast maze of tunnels. In fact the opera house is a combination of a theatre and a dungeon. This creates an atmosphere of mystery, because then, anything could hide in the vast maze of the opera house.
The author handles the story very well. This could do with the fact that many parts of the book are actually based on fact-based testimonies. However the way the author connected the stories to make a smooth narrative is to be praised.
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Depending on who you listen to this is either a masterpiece, or a shaky story which has since been improved through adaptations to film and stage. My opinion is the former. I had no trouble at all reading this book, in fact I had real trouble putting it down. For a phantom phan this is essential reading as the basis for all subsequent versions of the tale, and a very good read in itself. Those who know more recent versions of the story should not expect this to be exactly the same; in fact all the characters come across very differently, creating a very different overall storyline regarding the characters.
The writer, Leroux, spent much of his writing career as a journalist, and 'The Phantom of the Opera' is written in a style which suggests a real investigation and interview of the characters by the author (hence the continually resurfacing hope of phans that the Phantom truly existed). This style works exceedingly well, in my opinion, as it leaves plenty of mysteries for the reader to consider, reflecting the nature of the story. Debates about certain points and occurrences continue to this day!
This book truly is a must read, and as copies can be found cheaply most anywhere, you have no excuse for not reading it!
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This must be the best book I've read in a while. Once I started it, I was cut off from this world. The plot is simple yet really entertaining. It doesn't state too many extra details and doesn't tell a few different stories at once like many other books. I am a person who often needs to reread some sentences again and again before I get them, but this one went almost completely smoothly. It must be considered a classic. Once I started reading it I was so enthralled that I felt like all the characters at one point in the book. It's kinda spooky, but not as much as many other books, just enough to make you continue reading. Please excuse the spelling, it is very late at night.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A worthy read!
I'll clarify that I hate musicals, though I only found out that The Phantom of the Opera musical was based on a novel because I was looking into some of the songs from it. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Lorna
Bought as present
The Phantom of the Opera book & dvd were bought as a present after seeing the show in London - the book was very good but a completely different ending to the show - and was... Read more
Published 5 months ago by PCollins
amazing
One of the best books I have ever read! I'm obsessed with phantom and this book increased that ten-fold, the story is so good i love the characters and i am in love with Erik!
Published 6 months ago by leecii
Review
Very good book. Arrived on time and very good value for money. Would recommend reading it! Excellent that the book is also made from recycled paper.
Published 9 months ago by Katie Anderson
Been meaning to read this for the longest time!
And now that it's possible to download it...for free! Wow! - who could ask for more?!...I take it with me, read it when I have time...it's on my iPod touch, so it's great!
Published 9 months ago by vic123
phantom of the opera
The most important stimulus for Lloyd Webbers musical - it gives an insight into the Victorian view of the mentally and physically disabled protagonist. Read more
Published 11 months ago by D. Gulliver-davison
An absolute must read
Most people have at least heard of the Phantom of the Opera, so there is no excuse for not reading the original novel! Read more
Published 14 months ago by Angel of Music
A good read
I have never considered buying the book due to lack of space, however, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it on my Kindle, not quite what I had expected but very enjoyable all the... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Stephanie
The Phantom of the opera.
Great read from beginning to end, it is as if you are really a part of the story and if you have seen the show it brings the story to life of the show as well.
Published 22 months ago by Mrs. Cm Hayes
fantastique!
This book arrived very quickly and I immersed myself in it from the very start. I have read Susan Kays "Phantom" a number of times so thought would buy the original by Leroux and... Read more
Published on 23 May 2010 by Cake
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