The Phantom of the Opera: The Original Novel | Gaston Leroux

The Phantom of the Opera: The Original Novel | Gaston Leroux | Excellent story

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The Phantom of the...

	The Phantom of the Opera: The Original Novel Gaston Leroux Harper Perennial, 1988 - 368 pages average customer review:based on 215 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Brilliant!

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.

1. One of the most important characters from the book is gone from the musical. The very mysterious character called simply "The Persian" is not only Erik's one confidant in the book, but he also serves as a link between Erik and other people involved in the Opera. In the musical, Madam Giry represents both her role in the book, and The Persian. (I.e., in the musical, Madam Giry leads Raoul down to Erik's home under the Opera House: in the book, it's actually The Persian who does).

2. There is yet another character, simply called "A Shade" who also appears breifly in the book...a brief part, but actually quite dark.

3. Erik's brilliance as a ventriloquist is lost in the musical but fully explained and examined in the book

4. The most intriging part of the book, Erik's six-mirrored 'tourture chamber' - a major part of the story and a powerful demonstration of Erik's brilliance as a fearsome foe is completely missing from the musical.

This is easily my favourite book that I've ever read, and I recommend it to people all the time. Read it and enjoy it!

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Excellent story

This is a very gripping, interesting story. I would especially recommend it to "Phantom" fans who would like to learn the background of the characters.

PHANTOM BOOK GREAT READING

This was a Christmas gift. The person loved it. I had read it previously and loved it. She can't wait to read it so she can compare it to all the movies made based on the story line. I have told her the one made by Lon Chaney all those years ago is the closest I have ever seen until Lloyd-Webber created his musical. If you have enjoyed either of these you will love reading the original book.

excellent

Well written book my 14 year old daughter and I enjoyed reading this one always left you wanting to keep reading.One of them books you never want to put down.
Thanks

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