The Phantom of the Opera (Puffin Classics)

Rating:
Summary: Good story
Review: I bought this book about a year after discovering and falling in love with the music of Sarah Brightman, the lovely British diva who for several years played the role of Christine Daae in Andrew Lloyd Weber's musical "Phantom of the Opera." After seeing parts of the play re-enacted, and after listening to Sarah for a while, I figured I had to read the original story for myself just to see how good it really was. I found this book in a used book shop for about a dollar, bought it instantly, and finished it in a week.

I think this is a very good story because of the sophisticated characterizations of the people in it, and because of the several intriguing scenes created, scenes which do an effective job of conveying a sense of mystery. However, I do have to agree with another reviewer in this list, that the style is rather heavy and can be tedious to someone who is accustomed to light and fast-moving stories. There are times when one must concentrate and make an effort to read and mentally absorb the 19th-century prose. but it is worth the effort. It's not a great story, but it is a good one, worth reading again.

Rating:
Summary: I HEART ERIK
Review: I bought this book on a whim and read it when I had nothing better to do, and it exceeded my expectations by far!

Its one of my favorite books, and at fourteen, I've read quite a lot.

The 19th century atmosphere didn't phase me at all (maybe because I've read Les Miserables?), though I suppose it might be difficult for some.

The book was well-crafted. I enjoyed Leroux's style; it was interesting to read it as if it really happened. It made it more relavent; if he had written it as if it were just some random made-up story, I don't think I would have been interested.

Some characters were a bit flat, but many were quite good, I thought.

Daee (Christine's father- a dead character, but a major one) and Mme Valerius were interesting.

I love the managers. The relationship they have with each other and the previous managers is great; I always enjoy reading the bits about them.

Madame Giry was wonderful too- I love how she wisely tells everything that she knows (lol).

Erik, the Phantom, was a satisfyingly deep and complex character. In fact, he's one of my favorite characters of all time! I find him fascinating.

Its very complicated- I had to read it twice to fully understand everything.

Its an excellent, exciting, mind-gripping book that made me cry at the end. I would recommend it to anyone.

Rating:
Summary: The Phantom of the Opera
Review: I just love the phantom of the opera.It takes place in Paris,France which I would love to see someday.Erik A.K.A the phantom is a outcast,because he was born wrong.I felt so sorry for him that people treat him differently.People called him names like monster,freak,loser.I would treat him with care,respect,treat him as a friend even though his looks are hideous.It doesn't matter what you look like on the outside,all that matters is what's on the inside.At least someone cared for him.That was Christine Daae.But I just loved it.They say the play is just as good as the book.I cried at the end when Christine left Erik,for Raoul.I think that was just sad.But I got really scared when the chandelier came down on them.I would rate this book as a 5 star book!

Rating:
Summary: If You Want To Read Something Amazing
Review: If you want to read something amazing, read the Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux. It's a mystery and at the same time an aventure. There's a Forrest, a river and other places. It's mostly about two lovers that can't get married but do want to get married. It's all because three people the Phantom of the Opera, The Angel of Music, and Eric are trying to stop theme. But the lovers have to do something about it. There's death, disappearance and kidnapping. It was all exciting. My favorite characters where Christine and Raul (the two lovers). There are pictures too. What I really enjoyed was the adventure. I'm really sure this is one of my favorite books. Also every thing that happened was true every thing. When I started to read I thought it was boring. But then I didn't want to stop. It's really one of the best books you can read!!!

Rating:
Summary: This is one of the all-time-best books I have EVER read!
Review: Raoul knew the was something fishy about a voice behind Christine's dressing room door, especialy when he went inside her dressing room right after she left and there was no one there, but he didn't expect that it could be a Phantom. The Phantom lives under the opera, for he fears others seeing his deformed face, but he falls in love with one Christine Daae after giving her singing lessons, which hightens her status at the opera. Yet, Raoul is in love with the prima dona as well; Christine has a choice. You will not be able to put this book, which describes everything in large detail, down one second, as you follow the gripping tale of "The Phantom of the Opera". Leroux brings out his characters' personalities in a such a way that the whole story is believeable. This book could make a GREAT movie if they stayed close to the book, so that means that you ought to read this VERY VERY good book.

Rating:
Summary: "His voice filled my spirit with a strange, sweet sound!"
Review: Thank God for the likes of Lon Chaney, without whom this lovely novel would most likely have disappeared into obscurity. This is the famous novel which has inspired at least nine movies, five musicals, three supplementary novels, several children's adaptations, and loads of Phan Phic and Phan Pages on the Net. And there is always talk of more on the way.

This Phenomenon, at first, may appear to be as mysterious as Le Fantom himself. After all, Erik is practically treated like a minor character in a story supposedly about him. Perhaps this is the reason for all the phuss?

This novel has enough gaps and closure to stimulate the imagination of the creative-minded. For those who like eventual total disclosure, they may not like this novel. The Mystery, in many ways, remains a Mystery. For the rest, it is a dream come true. Especially if they, like I, adore variety (alittle romance, alittle mystery, alittle history, alittle sci-fi, etc).

Rating:
Summary: Phantom of the Opera...
Review: The discriptive language pulls you into the book, into the Paris Opera House, into the backstage shadows. It forces images upon you of the churchyard, of the spectacular opera performances, of the cellars, of Christine and of the Phantom... Never a dull moment. Suspenceful nights in box 5 and throughout the opera house. Read this and just try not to fall madly in love with the Angel of Music and his dark allure.

Rating:
Summary: If You Want To Read Something Amazing
Review: the story was quite well-written. i love the tone of the narrator...and leroux quite mastered the art of suspense. it was very enojyable, and i believe it went at a perfect pace. the plot was great, and one can not help but form a connection with "poor, unhappy erik"..or the "opera ghost". the reason i chose to give it only 4 stars is because, as hard as i tried, i could not interest myself in raoul and christine's love affair. they did not intrigue me in the least...and i was quite indifferent towards them. other than that it was an excellent read.

Rating:
Summary: Loss of Sleep Worth It
Review: What more can be said about "The Phantom of the Opera" than it is the best horror story ever written? Though not a difficult book to read, Leroux's masterpiece had me gripping my chair as I read it. I think the best part of this book, if I had to choose, is how well the reader is forced to identify with the characters. Who hasn't felt like Raoul, confused and in love? Or Christine, trapped between a rock and a hard place, unsure of her own future? And perhaps most powerfully, Erik, the tragic villain, who has never known love and wants only to know what it feels like to be cared for. At the same time, Leroux fills our minds with images from the story. For me, the strongest (slight spoiler here) is when Raoul looks past the end of his bed and sees Erik's eyes staring at him from the darkness. That image haunts my memory of the book, and yet I am entranced by it's very terror.
Most people know the story from Andrew Lloyd Weber's musical. Fine. Everyone should read the book anyway, because much is gained from each page. I would say this is one of the five best books I've ever read.