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21 reviews

Beaux Hardinger

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The Phantom of the Opera

by Gaston Leroux

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read in February 2020

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Beaux Hardinger said:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

" I’ve been meaning to read The Phantom of the Opera for the longest time, and I can’t put into words how glad I am that I read it. Gaston Leroux published this book in 1911, and it’s become a widely loved musical due to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music wri I’ve been meaning to read The Phantom of the Opera for the longest time, and I can’t put into words how glad I am that I read it. Gaston Leroux published this book in 1911, and it’s become a widely loved musical due to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music writing. But, I have to be honest, the book is better than the musical by a longshot. The novel is so beautifully written, I tend to say this a lot, but I mean it this time. Leroux wrote this book unlike any other, while many stories have a clear villain that they demonize time and time again, Leroux didn’t do that. The villain of this story is supposed to be the Phantom of the Opera, i.e., Erik, but I wouldn’t classify him as a villain. The reader gets to see that Erik isn’t an unfeeling devil, but a man with a deformity which has caused him nothing but pain throughout his life and therefore he feels like he owes humanity nothing. Yet, he falls in love, with an opera singer named Christine. However, Christine doesn’t love him at any point in the book, as the Angel of Music or after he revealed himself as not being the Angel. So, she lies about loving him. I could not disagree with Christine more, she chooses a man, Raoul, who respects her significantly less than Erik, and she leaves him heartbroken. The Phantom of the Opera dies from heartbreak. I cannot describe my feelings towards the end of the book using any amount of words I know, it was so satisfying and yet the most unsatisfying thing I have ever experienced. I have two complaints about this book. One, I wanted more of Erik, I wanted to see more interactions between him and Christine. Two, Christine didn’t deserve Erik. That second one wasn’t as much of a complaint as it was a statement of my feelings. This book is one of my favorite books of all time, I’m passionate about it, and I’m definitely going to reread it while listening to the musical. Anyone and everyone should read this book, it’s a classic, and it evokes feelings, unlike any other book that I’ve read. ...more "

Feb 29, 2020 06:29PM · see review