Reviews

Phantom by Susan Kay

aigra's review

4.0

Fun fact: Several years ago I was looking for this book for a friend without success (back then it was out of print and the used book sellers were well aware of that) ... and then, some months ago, it was just sitting there, on a public bookshelf, not for a ridiculous price but for free. Funny how the value of something depends so much on the context ...

The book itself? Quite good actually. I know the movies, the musical, recently read Leroux's book and still wasn't bored with this one, since there's very little retelling of the original story (nope, not like that other Twilight book, you know, the one that wasn't published or something ...).

alexperc_92's review against another edition

4.0

This is for the fans! If you love the Phantom of the Opera, then you'll also love this background history!

alloula's review

4.0

Phantom reads like fanfiction of the ALW musical. Someone was unhappy with the ending and decided to rewrite it, changing the attitudes and personalities of main players in the original to suit their fantasies. This book was written remarkably well (though, if I read the phrase "beyond imagination" or "beyond comprehension" again. . .) and is a very believable glimpse into Erik's tortured mind. However, Christine and Raoul's characters are completely awful. They are warped beyond recognition from the original and are just stupid and bland and terrible. Kay's Erik works because he is passionate and insane and violent; he's interesting, but he's not a lovable character. He's sympathetic, you want the best for him, and you root for him, but you don't like him as a person. I saw the ending coming from a mile away but it still angered me so much. Erik abused Christine and wanted to "possess" her, and even so she was so in love with him, it was disgusting; I had no idea where she was coming from. I have no problem with the concept of giving Erik a happily ever after, or changing Christine and Raoul's personalities in principle, but I think it was done rather confusingly and poorly.
That being said, this was a really really good book. It was dark, melodramatic, and romantic and obviously well thought out and researched. Honestly I enjoyed it so much that I'm tempted to give it 5 stars, but I don't think I can truly overlook how shallowly Kay portrayed Christine and Raoul.

dramallama_'s review

dark emotional mysterious sad

4.0

emilyk099's review

4.0

It is a very good book, I, myself have read it 8 times. But…There are some severe issues in it, and I can only stomach it if I cut out the ending section entirely. However. It still holds a place in my heart and I love the book dearly.

elste's review against another edition

5.0

There are some themes that I never get tired of - Phantom of the Opera is one of them. Susan Kay's voice, as it applies to Eric, is indeed brilliant. She explores his birth, his life, his world and his fragile, vulnerable spirit. The complex fabric of Eric's life is woven with opposing threads of aching tenderness, and uncompromising cruelty. This book is the first that I know of that presents the story through the eyes of Eric - not the monster, just the man. For are not, all of us, possessors of both light and dark; and at times can not we argue as to which is the strongest of the two? If you are as enamored as I with the timeless story of Phantom, then this is truly a poignant, beautiful, and heartbreaking narrative that will not disappoint.

_joy_'s review

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

alan_n's review against another edition

4.0

4.5 (should of ended 2 chapters before it did)

elisetheninth's review

4.5

Haha we still aren't talking about it.

booknerd_therapist's review against another edition

5.0

I am a die-hard Phantom of the Opera fan. I read Leroux's book in high school. I know every word to Webber's musical score. I've seen the musical live twice. I even watched that awful movie with Gerry Butler. That being said, I was extremely skeptical when I picked up this book. The story was already written and loved worldwide. Why would someone else alter it?? My best friend had to suggest it several times before I finally gave it a chance. And now I am so glad I did. This is hands down one of the best books I have ever read. I have never been more emotional reading a book before. I lost track of how many times my heart broke for Erik throughout the 500+ pages of this novel. I found myself wishing he was a real person so I could run to him and comfort him. Susan Kay is an extraordinary wordsmith -- she writes beautiful or horrifying descriptions of every character, place, and event that occurs throughout the story. Her masterful command of language kept me engaged to the point where I had to force myself to put the book down, if only to take a break from the emotional roller coaster. I also admire how she weaved her story seamlessly with Leroux's original novel. Everything is there: his many areas of genius, his relationships with people such as the Persian and the opera house managers, his time in the gypsy circus, etc. The only thing I didn't like was the ending, because it diverged so far from the original. However, the rest of the novel was so incredible that I am willing to overlook that and give it 5 stars. I can't do this book justice with a review... no one can... check it out and read it for yourself! You won't be disappointed!