Phantom Reflection

by Kim Malinowski

This is a novel-in-verse format playing with the concept of a retelling of The Phantom of the Opera (book and musical) and their modern day counterparts. The main characters are Christine; The Artist; and The Man of Words. It is an emotional, romantic, and erotic tug of war between the Artist and The Man of Words to possess Christine and it is a deep delving into the wants, the needs and the secret desires of Christine. The vivid landscape of the poetry and the brilliant imagery weave a pathway into the innermost chasms of the human psyche. There is a lush richness to the weave of the words and an eloquent ease of literary flow. Malinowski's hand to the stylus is as the Phantom's hand to the musical instrument and the brushstroke to the canvas. It is an amazing read reflecting the superb creativity of the author

86 pages, Paperback

Published July 4, 2022

About the author

Born in Silver Spring, Maryland, Currently, residing in Laurel, Maryland, but her heart and home is somewhere in the wilds. She feels closest to it in West Virginia but is on a quest to understand "success" and "home." One day she hopes to find the meanings of both.

Reviews

[Lissa Sloan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Phantom Reflection, Kim Malinowski explores The Phantom of the Opera (both Gaston Leroux's novel and Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical) by weaving the perspective of the original story's heroine Christine with that of an unnamed modern artist. The two stories mirror one another. Each woman is caught in a love triangle and seeks to express her art without being drowned in the desires and expectations of the men surrounding her.

I was introduced to the musical and later the book in high school and college. And while I didn't realize it then, I now see that The Phantom of the Opera is a story of obsession and possession. Malinowski's novel in verse does a deep dive into these themes, exploring love, lust, art, identity, and the masks we wear. Her poems are sensual and evocative, threatening and empowering.

A must read for Phantom fans!

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous poetry!