Comments on things mean a lot: The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux

Did you know that we are now entering the 100th an...

2009-12-13T20:02:34.642Z

Did you know that we are now entering the 100th anniversary of the PHANTOM story? The first installment of Gaston Leroux’s novel Le Fantôme de l’Opéra appeared in Le Gaulois, the French paper in which the novel was initially serialized, from September 1909 to January 1910 prior to publication in book format in 1910.

To celebrate this achievement, a brand new Phantom Twitter stream has been launched to spread the word of the centenary and the latest news and developments concerning the Opera Ghost. Eventually it is hoped the stream will be used to release exciting new ongoing research currently being undertaken into the novel and all its subsequent adaptations (including, of course, the Lloyd Webber musical) in areas never previously explored. The feed is also being watched by Gaston Leroux's estate.

Please follow by going to http://twitter.com/fantomedelopera, logging in/signing up and clicking ‘Follow’. Followers will be rewarded by some exclusive news and updates!

Wow, I would not have expected funny! I've bee...

2009-11-25T02:52:06.602Z

Wow, I would not have expected funny! I've been wanting to read this one for awhile.

When reading this, I had been surprised by how muc...

2009-11-22T12:52:18.819Z

When reading this, I had been surprised by how much different it was from the musical and some of the movies I had seen - the introduction of new characters, especially. But yes, the details about the Paris Opera House and its construction were some of the best parts!

Happy you ended up enjoying this. :)

Jeanne: lol! I can picture that scene perfectly. ...

2009-11-22T00:07:14.426Z

Jeanne: lol! I can picture that scene perfectly.

Jenny: :D I had fun writing it.

Amy: Hopefully one day I'll get to see the musical myself!

Carl: Oh, I love Gothic literature too! The silliness didn't detract from the fun :)

heidenkind: It's true, Eric was MUCH cooler than Raul, murderous impulses and all.

Belle: I definitely still think it's worth reading!

Alice: One day I'll get to watch it!

Hazra: I hope you won't be either!

Karen: I think it's because drama aside, the concept truly is a good one. I think it's great that somebody saw that and adapted it into something else!

Robin: I'll definitely have to visit the Opera someday.

Charlotte: Yes, definitely not Romantic! But I see what you mean about how he poked fun at the characters - I loved that too.

Cam: There was still lots to enjoy :)

Daphne: I bet my teen self would have enjoyed the drama a lot more too :P

She: lol, you're not alone :P

Maire: The Castle of Otranto was TONS of fun :D

Memory, I think you would!

zibilee: I wonder if it was on purpose (because there WERE some clearly ironic bits) or just a sign of a different epoch and all that :P

Debi: No you aren't >:(

Teddy Rose: It's a fun book! One you laugh with at least as much as you laugh at :P

Amanda: Cheesiness aside, it WAS fun!

Ladytink: Yep, I was the same - which is why I thought I'd read it at last :P

Naida: I'd love to see the musical at some point.

I havent read the book, but the musical is among m...

2009-11-21T17:15:21.682Z

I havent read the book, but the musical is among my favorites.
The scenes you quotes are a bit exaggerated...especially that second one...lol.
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

I've seen a few movies, parodies, and retellin...

2009-11-21T05:55:22.701Z

I've seen a few movies, parodies, and retellings of this story but I have never actually read the book itself.

Oh I loved this book. Ok maybe not "loved&quo...

2009-11-20T14:40:07.475Z

Oh I loved this book. Ok maybe not "loved" but really liked it. I own it too. It's just a fun, little cheesy read. Glad you enjoyed it too!

Rebecca: I wouldn't go as far as awful...I gue...

2009-11-19T22:19:21.024Z

Rebecca: I wouldn't go as far as awful...I guess you just have to get into the spirit of the thing :P

Shona: I did have fun with it despite everything :)

Alessandra: The masks thing does make sense, but I can't explain without spoilers! But yeah, I've been known to avoid a book/movie/song in the past because it's so closely associated with someone I'd rather not remember.

Jeane: I suspect that it was *me* :P I don't think I was meant to be laughing at some of those scenes, lol.

Amanda: I can't even imagine how frustrating that must have been! I think one of the reasons why I ended up enjoying it more than I expected to was because you and Jason warned me on Twitter. And thank you for the link!

Sandy: It might happen, but then again you might also be able to think of them as different things!

Jill: Yep! No wonder it was so successful.

Steph: Good point - it could be. It might also be that he's trying to emulate that overblown, 18th century Gothic style on purpose. And yes, it was a fun read!

Meghan: It's hard not to, isn't it? :P

Becky: Yeah, it's good to at least know where it all come from!

Loren Eaton: I haven't actually seen the stage version - just one of the movie adaptations. I did like the ending, though, especially the detail of the skeleton.

Aarti: I do love me some Gothic drama, though, laughs and all :D

Wereadtoknow: It's definitely on my list of places to visit when I finally make it to Paris! Christine surprised me - she's definitely more strong-willed than I was expecting her to be based on what's usual for classic Gothic heroines.

J.T. Oldfield: Like I was telling Steph, good point - it might be. I wish my French was good enough for me to read the original.

Bella: I need to read Maskerade again now that I know the original :D

Vivienne: It seems that the book is much less well-known than the musical, so you're not alone!

J.S. Peyton: I think it helped that it tweeted I was disappointed when I was about 30 pages into it, and what people told me helped me adjust my expectations. Hooray for Twitter!

Heather: I guess The Castle of Otranto is even MORE dramatic, but this is close ;)

Carol: Me neither, but I did see a movie and wanted to know how the story began!

Terri B: I know!! I just adore these Wordsworth editions. And I'll have to look for The Mystery of the Yellow Room!

Staci: Well, it WAS fun :P

Kailana: Just keep in mind it's quite a bit different :P

Kathleen: You're not alone in not knowing! The book seems to have become a bit obscure.

Melody: I'd love to see the musical too :)

Jill: Oooh, enjoy!

Wendy, I hope you enjoy it! It IS entertaining at least :P

As I enjoy reading the classics, this book has bee...

2009-11-19T06:29:33.120Z

As I enjoy reading the classics, this book has been on my TBR for some time. You have written a fun review of it and now I know it is at least good for a few laughs.

Should I admit that your first paragraph told me w...

2009-11-19T00:10:54.287Z

Should I admit that your first paragraph told me waaaaaay more than I previously knew about this book? Probably not, huh? But too late, admit it I did. I've never read it, seen the play, seen any movie adaptations, nada. I am the queen of uncultured. ;)

I am totally not familiar with the book version of...

2009-11-18T21:11:05.521Z

I am totally not familiar with the book version of this story, but I have heard a lot about it's other incarnations. I was giggling a bit at some of your choice of quotes as well. It seems like the drama may have been trying a little too hard. I'm glad that you finally got a chance to read the book, but I am not sure I will be reading this one. Very cool review!

Some friends of mine were absolutely OBSESSED with...

2009-11-18T21:08:20.717Z

Some friends of mine were absolutely OBSESSED with this book when we were in junior high. They read a few of the sequels, too. I've seen the movie version of the musical, but I've never read the book. Melodramatic or no, it sounds like something I'd quite enjoy.

Wow, I just found your blog and am so excited that...

2009-11-18T20:33:48.750Z

Wow, I just found your blog and am so excited that someone other than myself has read The Castle of Otranto! I loved that book! But mainly for the "fun" factor and the unintentional funny parts.

I remember having a very similar reaction to Phantom the first time I read this book. It was good, albeit cheesy, but not on my list of favorites.

I always forget that TPofO was a book before it wa...

2009-11-18T18:06:57.417Z

I always forget that TPofO was a book before it was a, well, opera. I just always assume that broadway made it up ;p

I read this book when I was 15, so maybe that acco...

2009-11-18T17:39:03.202Z

I read this book when I was 15, so maybe that accounts for my irrational love for it at that time. I *loved* it so very much. I actually haven't seen any productions of it so maybe that accounts for my untainted and adolescent adoration for the melodramatic written version. :) Glad you enjoyed it, however!

Great review. I had also heard that the book was ...

2009-11-18T16:53:43.636Z

Great review. I had also heard that the book was not exactly what the musical would lead you to believe it should be. But, it's cool that you were able to find some redeeming qualities about it. =)

I loved the book! Leroux was definitely very tongu...

2009-11-18T16:24:47.835Z

I loved the book! Leroux was definitely very tongue-in-cheek and over-the-top dramatic, and both things worked perfectly hand in hand for me... Even Raoul being such an unlikeable character was great to set off the Phantom's crazy grandeur. And the wicked writing, the way Leroux pokes fun at every single character!
I have never seen the musical though, so I wouldn't want to compare, but definitely NOT a romantic book for me!

This was a fun post. I enjoyed this book when I re...

2009-11-18T13:26:13.818Z

This was a fun post. I enjoyed this book when I read it, and what I remember the most, like you described, were his descriptions of the Paris Opera House.

2009-11-18T13:24:04.241Z

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Without a doubt, one of the worst classics I have ...

2009-11-18T13:23:58.844Z

Without a doubt, one of the worst classics I have ever read. I wonder if the movies and stage adapations are what is keeping this book in print.

I've got this book on my shelf for a really lo...

2009-11-18T08:58:31.693Z

I've got this book on my shelf for a really long time. I read the sequel Forsyth wrote and I didn't really like it; I hope I won't be disappointed by this one.

I like the musical one... I'm not sure I'd...

2009-11-18T06:50:59.417Z

I like the musical one... I'm not sure I'd read the book, though...

Loved the excerpts you quoted - so melodramatic! I...

2009-11-18T05:15:05.983Z

Loved the excerpts you quoted - so melodramatic! I've never felt any desire to read this book, but I really enjoyed your review.

I really, really liked this book. Raoul is ridicu...

2009-11-18T04:45:45.740Z

I really, really liked this book. Raoul is ridiculous (couldn't help but notice that all of those passages had Raoul in them), and when Christine was around him, I kind of wanted to strangle her. But Eric is an awesome character. The entire plot is just an excuse to let us get to know Eric and his crazy awesomeness.

Also, for me there's a total disconnect between Eric and the Phantom from the musical. The musical Phantom is a kinder, gentler version--the one from the book has an entire history and a personality. He seems like a much more complete character to me.

I read this several years ago and really enjoyed i...

2009-11-18T03:53:25.606Z

I read this several years ago and really enjoyed it. I don't remember reading the melodrama into it, but my opinion is skewed because I love gothic literature so much. I don't always see the silliness of it all because I find it so enjoyable. I'm a big fan of the musical and when I read the book I felt like it filled in some gaps and fleshed out the story. Not sure what I would have thought of it without seeing it through the lens of my enjoyment of the musical.