5.28k reviews for:

The Phantom of the Opera (Augmented Classics): With Augmented Reality

Gaston Leroux

3.77 AVERAGE

klara_anderson's review against another edition

3.0

mysterious sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

gabi_starry_paperback's review against another edition

2.5

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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 Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera is one of my favorite pieces of art. I was apprehensive about reading Leroux’s original because I have heard that the musical surpasses the book on all fronts in terms of quality, but as a true fan, I wanted to see for myself if that is true. Sadly, it is.
The best part of the novel is the Phantom, no doubt about it. I enjoyed that the book gives us a little more about his life story. He is terrible, scary, and sadistic, but also hurt and lonely. This pitiful creature makes the reader question: was he born a monster, or is the monster the product of years of rejection and abuse? Should we be scared of him, or should we extend our compassion?
However, the book focuses more on the other characters. While that could have been interesting—exploring the effect of the menacing presence of the Phantom on others—it doesn’t work that well in the book. Other characters are, for the most part, flat and forgettable. At worst—see Raoul—they are insufferable. I was slogging through the book because it was constantly focusing on things that did not interest me much.
I have to admit that my opinion of the book is coloured by my love for the musical, and I cannot help but compare the two. In my view, the musical takes the interesting elements of the book—the Phantom, his obsessive love for Christine, Christine’s conflicted emotions towards the Phantom—and expands on them, while erasing the less engaging elements.

 

agoold14's review against another edition

5.0

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i do wish the phantom was a little more sympathetic throughout the whole story but still love love love

daniela_bravo04's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional

radhauswife's review against another edition

4.25

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

awesome_sauceou's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

s_ar's review against another edition

3.75

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overall, a good story

beaninbloom's review against another edition

5.0

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I am a fan of all things that have come from this work- the musical, the movies, the songs and punk covers of the songs, and all of that. Why not read the actual book?

It blew me away. What a good read. Best cheesy love story/good vs. evil/ glimpse into a sociopath/evaluation of priorities I've read in a long time.

shadowww_reader's review against another edition

4.25

emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

cottage_life_reading's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad slow-paced