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Through Phantom Eyes #1
A Child's Guidance
Erik is only a young boy when he first discovers his great passion for music. Just before his third birthday, he listens to his mother playing the piano, and with excitement, he realizes his life will always be filled with music. Sadly though, along with that powerful and comforting emotion, there is also sorrow. Erik's mother fears him because of his facial deformity, and he is forever scarred by her rejection. His father loves and protects him and tries to guide his young son's rapidly growing genius mind and disturbed heart. Nevertheless, Erik's soul begins to fill with loathing for the world that shuns him, causing him to wage a fierce battle between murderous hatred and compassionate love. Erik's temper erupts violently at times, endangering the lives of those around him as well as his own. Ultimately, he is abandoned and left alone to battle not only a world destined to cause him harm but also his tortured heart.Discover the astonishing life of Erik, and journey into the private world and intimate thoughts of the man known as the Phantom of the Opera. Be with him as he struggles to balance his brilliant mind and tormented soul.
- GenresFiction
344 pages, Paperback
First published June 28, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 17, 2012
A decent read for Phantom-fiction. This is the first in an eight-part series that traces Erik's (the Phantom's) life from birth onward. I thought it was a good idea when I read the plot description but having now read the first installment, I have to say not so much. The writing is not terrible but it could have been edited so much more throughly. Some of the scenes seem overly-long - dare I say almost preachy at times - when Erik is remembering his father speaking to him. Part of the problem, I think, is that many of these Phan books are published by independent publishing firms who probably don't have the time or resources to comb through these books with the detail needed.
I'll continue on with the next three parts of the series that have been published and if they improve, maybe I will continue on until the end.
Otherwise, I have to say Susan Kay's Phantom, published in the early 1990s, does a far superior job of giving us a sufficient glimpse into Erik's life, especially his early days....without the necessity of running on about it for 340 pages.
Some positives? For the most part, I liked the interaction between Erik and his father Maurice. It seemed plausible that Erik would have at least one loving parent, although his mother remains the stereotypical cold, abusive parent that is portrayed in most other novels. (To be fair, the cold, uncaring mother is most true to the original Leroux work). The development of his unusual musical abilities seems also true to form - his mother enjoys music and has a piano and a violin in the house, both of which Erik learns to play at the age of three or four. This is consistent with the "musical genius" aspect of his character, not unlike Mozart. As in Susan Kay's novel, Erik's father is an architect, who takes Erik on as an apprentice early in the book. This also seems a plausible explanation for Erik's penchant for designing buildings in the Leroux novel. Lastly, although it has been mentioned there are "far too many" people who accept Erik's deformity in this work, I would have to disagree. There is a mixture of reactions. Although Erik's father adores him, he admits it took even him some time to adjust to the infant Erik and his appearance. Also, Erik encounters two young bullies who harass and beat him on several occasions. Most of the townspeople also seem to have an initial adverse reaction to him, even the men working at the building sites his father oversees. Initially it is only the physicians and one music teacher who seem to accept his face without an adverse response.
I'll continue on with the next three parts of the series that have been published and if they improve, maybe I will continue on until the end.
Otherwise, I have to say Susan Kay's Phantom, published in the early 1990s, does a far superior job of giving us a sufficient glimpse into Erik's life, especially his early days....without the necessity of running on about it for 340 pages.
Some positives? For the most part, I liked the interaction between Erik and his father Maurice. It seemed plausible that Erik would have at least one loving parent, although his mother remains the stereotypical cold, abusive parent that is portrayed in most other novels. (To be fair, the cold, uncaring mother is most true to the original Leroux work). The development of his unusual musical abilities seems also true to form - his mother enjoys music and has a piano and a violin in the house, both of which Erik learns to play at the age of three or four. This is consistent with the "musical genius" aspect of his character, not unlike Mozart. As in Susan Kay's novel, Erik's father is an architect, who takes Erik on as an apprentice early in the book. This also seems a plausible explanation for Erik's penchant for designing buildings in the Leroux novel. Lastly, although it has been mentioned there are "far too many" people who accept Erik's deformity in this work, I would have to disagree. There is a mixture of reactions. Although Erik's father adores him, he admits it took even him some time to adjust to the infant Erik and his appearance. Also, Erik encounters two young bullies who harass and beat him on several occasions. Most of the townspeople also seem to have an initial adverse reaction to him, even the men working at the building sites his father oversees. Initially it is only the physicians and one music teacher who seem to accept his face without an adverse response.
April 15, 2011
This was a wonderfully handled and touching account of just what Erik's younger years could have been like. It was great to read of him actually having a solid relationship with someone who was alway there for him no matter what and didn't treat him like an oddity but as the special little boy that he was.
Theodora Bruns has done an amazing job at drawing together all the little plot points and character developments so that the reader can match them up with the phantom that we already know from the original works as we read of this little boy developing his personality.
Everything does not run smoothly through the course of the novel as Erik has to deal with the continual regection from his mother and the prejudices of those around him. But there are also those who are willing to accept him for himself.
I have never read a book before that has engaged all of my emotions so easily.
A great read!
Theodora Bruns has done an amazing job at drawing together all the little plot points and character developments so that the reader can match them up with the phantom that we already know from the original works as we read of this little boy developing his personality.
Everything does not run smoothly through the course of the novel as Erik has to deal with the continual regection from his mother and the prejudices of those around him. But there are also those who are willing to accept him for himself.
I have never read a book before that has engaged all of my emotions so easily.
A great read!
November 22, 2013
I found this book a little tough to get into. The first 5 chapters at least didnt really interest me (no offence to the author). I started reading this book before the second one was written. I just couldnt get through it. A few years later, when I had purchased the second book, I restarted to first book. Once I got past those same chapters again then I found myself curious how the book would end. Finishing this book felt like an accomplishment. But when I started the second book, I was addicted to the character.
January 20, 2009
Bought this book from the author at a book signing. Very interesting read. An in-depth look at the Phantom of the Opera.
We all have seen Phantom of the Opera, and know the kind of man Erik becomes. But it has been fascinating to see where Erik came from. Erik is the kind of character that reminds us that even in our darkest times, there is still light that we can reach for. It gives us hope that we can always reconnect with our humanity when we lose our way. But we have to make that choice to reconnect, and Erik seemed to push it away and hide behind his mask, further withdrawing from society.
We all have seen Phantom of the Opera, and know the kind of man Erik becomes. But it has been fascinating to see where Erik came from. Erik is the kind of character that reminds us that even in our darkest times, there is still light that we can reach for. It gives us hope that we can always reconnect with our humanity when we lose our way. But we have to make that choice to reconnect, and Erik seemed to push it away and hide behind his mask, further withdrawing from society.
May 1, 2015
Really good!! Hard to put down.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews