Classics Without All the Class discussion

Please keep discussion (and spoilers) to these chapters.

I just read the prologue and it makes me very pumped reading this book! I've owned it for a while and in younger age, I went about halfway through it. But now I shall journey to it's end.

I absolutely loved the way it started - highlighted and noted, "Wow, what an exciting start!" for that opening sentence. It wasn't at all what I was expecting stylistically (comparing to other novels from around that time).

These first two comments got me excited to get started. Here goes!

I read this in April, but I'll be interested to see what people think of it!

I love that it started out as though the author means it to be truth.

Bought a copy last night. Read the prologue today. Really looking forward to reading the story.

Just finished chapter 5. I agree with Nadja -- seems an easier read than I was expecting. I'm not totally loving the story yet, but am hoping it will grow on me. I saw the musical last year without the benefit of having read the plot first, and I found it hard to follow. At least now I understand what was going on!

I also loved the prologue. I read the first paragraph to see if I was interested and then had to put it aside all week to finish Proust, but I'm back now and loving it. I wonder why this doesn't get as much credit as other 'spook' story classics...

Nadja wrote: "I absolutely loved the way it started - highlighted and noted, "Wow, what an exciting start!" for that opening sentence. It wasn't at all what I was expecting stylistically (comparing to other nov..."

I 100% agree - not at all what I was expecting! Such an easy read and it feels as though each little 'scene' builds the tension. I felt instantly immersed in the french opera house and some of the characters have the potential to be interesting, although I think I'd rather hear more about the Comte de Chagny than his soppy little brother!

Haha....Raoul does seem like a whiny worry wart. His brother seems better suited for Christine. (0:

Beth wrote: "Haha....Raoul does seem like a whiny worry wart. His brother seems better suited for Christine. (0:"

:-)

For some reason I'm dragging my feet on this one. Hopefully I will pick up some speed soon since the month is 1/2 over. I really was drawn to the description of the angel of music that Christine's father had told her when she was younger. Being a musician, I was hoping this particular angel would visit me.

I started only now the book and after the first two chapters I have a very good impression.

uh-oh... I'm one of those lazy readers who sometimes doesn't read the prologue. Am I really missing much?

What a polite ghost! I love his little missives.

I mean, aside from the possibility that he murdered that guy at the beginning, of course.

I've read one other story by this author and was so thoroughly confused during the whole thing because there were so many descriptions and characters, that even when the final explanation was given at the end (it was a "locked room mystery") I still couldn't really figure it all out. Being already familiar with this story from the film version (of the musical) I'm curious as to my perspective throughout.