The Phantom of the Opera

by Shannon Donnelly (Adapter), Gaston Leroux, Robert Schoolcraft (Illustrator)

First published in French as a serial in 1909, "The Phantom of the Opera" is a riveting story that revolves around the young, Swedish Christine Daaé. Her father, a famous musician, dies, and she is raised in the Paris Opera House with his dying promise of a protective angel of music to guide her. After a time at the opera house, she begins hearing a voice, who eventually teaches her how to sing beautifully. All goes well until Christine's childhood friend Raoul comes to visit his parents, who are patrons of the opera, and he sees Christine when she begins successfully singing on the stage. The voice, who is the deformed, murderous 'ghost' of the opera house named Erik, however, grows violent in his terrible jealousy, until Christine suddenly disappears. The phantom is in love, but it can only spell disaster.

Retold for a juvenile audience from the Gaston Leroux original.

Genres: Classics, Fiction, Mystery, Childrens

240 pages, Hardcover

Published March 1, 2011

About the author

Shannon Donnelly's writing has won numerous awards, including a RITA nomination for Best Regency, the Grand Prize in the "Minute Maid Sensational Romance Writer" contest, judged by Nora Roberts, RWA's Golden Heart, and others. Her work has repeatedly earned 4½ Star Top Pick reviews from Romantic Times magazine, as well as praise from Booklist and other reviewers, who note: "simply superb"..."wonderfully uplifting"....and "beautifully written."

In addition to her Regency romances, she has had novellas published in several anthologies, has had young adult horror stories published and is the author of several computer games.

Reviews

[mandinmandin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a version for children of 'The phantom of the opera'... A baaad version of the beautiful story of the phantom of the opera.

I didn't like it at all. You should be surprised. I, in fact, love everything about this story... Except for the ending. But that's not what we are talking about here. So, the book was not as good as it should have been.

This is me: before(right) and after(left)


It was was too short. There were a lot of details missing. Details that would have made the book more vivid, if given. Details and descriptions. The events, also, were told way to short, like Shannon Donelly couldn't wait to finish writing the book. He has writen it like he was running or something. So, during reading I felt like running too and sleepy (of course after running so long, you feel tired).

This book is very... Uhm... Dehydrated!

But it would be a nice book for children. Just show them the movie first. This is one of those few times when the movie is actually pretty good.

[Charity (Booktrovert Reader) · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am not saying this lightly when in what I am about to say.

This was disappointing.

I really love the Great Illustrated Classics and read several of them. But this has been a total let down for me.

The story was choppy. The illustrations were awful. No details or effort at all was put into any of the pages. A lot of the illustrations look like a really bad coloring book which is not the normal for these books.

Never been so disappointed with these books before.

[Kim Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another favorite of mine, this book is part thriller/horror, part romantic fantasy, a tragedy with elements of comedy. I loved this book and I loved the show, although the most recent movie adaptation was only about a 75 out of 100. The outcast "phantom" who seeks only to be loved even in spite of his deformities is a character many can relate to. Though not all of our scars are physical ones, we want to be loved as we are. That's the romantic fantasy, your typical beauty and the beast story. It's what he does as his fantasy grows by degrees more and more unattainable that leads to the horror. His obsession drives him to the depths of mad behavior. Meanwhile the hapless owners of the opera house (the comic figures) can only watch, for the most part helplessly, as the situation spins further and further out of control. Despite the fantastic qualities this story possesses, I truly feel that the character of the Phantom represents something for all of us. It's a must read.

[Stella Keller · Rating 2 out of 5]

BAHAHHA i accidentally ordered the wrong version of the book, but i appreciate the greenleaf elementary library nostalgia. tbh this version was not very good (cause it’s for kids) but i’m excited to read the actual version

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fantasy for kids. Recommended by my granddaughter. How a person looks does not matter as great soul prevails.

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

First of all I have never read the original story so I cannot actually judge the two books together on whether one is far more superior than another. And secondly I was in a rush to get through reading this book since I was hoping to pass it onto my niece the next day.

The Phantom of the Opera - Great Illustrated to me, though, first of all starts off with an introduction to the author for those who may have not heard much of Gaston Leroux and also gives to the reader a bit more information on how this particular story started off. As such I do like to give points for that since with much older authors they are overlooked in their humanity.

As for the actual tale I find it intriguing how so much alike this book actually sounded to some of the other great Classical Goth/horror tales of its time, especially Dracula, that I felt I almost had to check myself a few times. At the same time The Phantom of the Opera itself seems to be one of the more gruesome stories of that particular genre and era.

And yet even as I read this particular version I felt that it was really dry and lacking so much in detail thus making the story seem rather rushed. As I continued to flip the pages my mind kept wondering just how much more was missing and whether what had been left out should have been included as necessary data to help the story flow instead of jumping all over the place. And so I most likely will have to track down an actual original version just to get a better grasp of how much damage was actually done.

Another thing that vexed me was the illustrations for they just seemed plain drab, especially the portrayal of Christine. To me and I am no expert of such cultural information, the hairstyle that she had seemed out of place for her times and also for her career as a singer in the Paris Opera thus making her also seem rather drab.

All in all I guess it may work as an introduction to the story for those who are looking for a book that is more geared for children although it does have its moments. Otherwise even though I am no expert I would have to say that for fans of the original story and also those who are wanting to read this book for a first time I would suggest steering clear of this version while dedicating yourself to the actual book that became the Classic.

[Cecilia Wessels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did anyone else feel a little sorry for The phantom of the opera

[Breanna Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christine put up with so much lol

[Kendra Rugg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me only a day to read. Nice little palate cleanser before I start book three in the series I'm reading.

[Alondra Karwowski]

I read it along with my 9 year old.

[Inger L · Rating 3 out of 5]

Captures the essence of The Phantom well but riddled with errors (typos, extra spaces, etc.)

[Tessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd seen tons of movie versions of this before I read the book (and I have to say when "Wishbone" used to be on PBS his episode was the best), so I already knew the story. I really like reading it at first, but near the end I lost interest. The writing didn't seem as good, and the ending seemed almost rushed.

[Tenai · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sure the original story was good, but this version seemed like just a quick and vague book report by someone completely uninterested. And the art for some reason had them dressed as if they were from the 80s or something, oddly enough....

[Jasper · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book has everything! adventure,chills,love and secret pasageways.
the whole thing was so good,i finished in three days! for a 240 page book it sure stufs a whole lot of goodness!
i recamend this book for those who like a good classic!

[Kim Ciniello · Rating 3 out of 5]

These Great Illustrated Classics are like Cliff Notes. If my daughter likes them in this form, then I give her the less censored version. Good if you preview books for your kids and can't remember them from when you read them in school.

[Tamaki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains a sad story of love and it was grat to me.

[Lisa]

Good book. Hard to follow in some parts.

[Sharah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Children version of Phantom of Opera. A light 1 day reading book.

[Diana Brewster · Rating 5 out of 5]

simple adaptation of the Leroux novel

[Kayleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story dear to my heart. Love it. All of it.

[Cheema · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!! I couldn't put it down. The story kept me hooked till the end.