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wuthrinheights's review
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I've watched the musical years back, so I thought I would know how the story would go but the more I read, the more I realised how different they were. The book is much, much better than the play (although the music score was also brilliant).
I was pleasantly surprised to learn how fast paced the book was, and it was captivating from the start. It only took me more or less 6 hours to read it, and by the last 100 pages or so, I had the musical soundtracks to accompany me.
It was spooky, intoxicating, yet somehow humorous at times. Occasionally I would find myself to snicker or giggle at what the character said or did. I did not have a favourite character exactly, but I enjoyed reading the storyline; it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time.
Love was a huge theme of the book. In the end, people just want to be loved.
I was pleasantly surprised to learn how fast paced the book was, and it was captivating from the start. It only took me more or less 6 hours to read it, and by the last 100 pages or so, I had the musical soundtracks to accompany me.
It was spooky, intoxicating, yet somehow humorous at times. Occasionally I would find myself to snicker or giggle at what the character said or did. I did not have a favourite character exactly, but I enjoyed reading the storyline; it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time.
Love was a huge theme of the book. In the end, people just want to be loved.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Ableism, Body horror, Bullying, Abandonment, Body shaming, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Sexual harassment
uparrowhead's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A classic which, in my opinion, deserves to be considered timeless; the Phantom of the Opera raises the question on how we should treat the truly low members of society.
The novel introduces the story of the Opera Ghost, which stalks the shadows of the Paris Opera House and hunts for mischief and mystery. Strange events emerge and connect as the singer Christine Daaé slowly begins her rise in fame with her heavenly vocals, supposedly learning to sing from the Angel of Music. The reader navigates through this episodic novel and slowly gathers the truths to the unfolding story.
The Phantom of the Opera places a great emphasis on concepts of love, obsession, desire, and pity. How can we learn to, not love, but accept someone who is supposedly heartless? How can we take pity on people who are seemingly monstrous? How does unrecieved love mould into an overpowering obsession built upon desires we are unable to satisfy? The novel feels like it is truly a love letter to these themes as both pain and pleasure are combined into the flowing story.
I have loved this ever since watching the musical, and the original story that brought it to life is absolutely incredible.
I can't get over how beautifully tragic the ending for this novel is. It ends in Erik's death for his own overflowing love of Christine, one which he had never experienced with another woman in his life. It just serves to show how much Erik wished for nothing but a normal life but was cursed from the endeavour ever since he was first born just for his horrific features, leading him down a path of using his wits and intellect for his own disturbing gains as a way to not acknowledge his pain.
The novel introduces the story of the Opera Ghost, which stalks the shadows of the Paris Opera House and hunts for mischief and mystery. Strange events emerge and connect as the singer Christine Daaé slowly begins her rise in fame with her heavenly vocals, supposedly learning to sing from the Angel of Music. The reader navigates through this episodic novel and slowly gathers the truths to the unfolding story.
The Phantom of the Opera places a great emphasis on concepts of love, obsession, desire, and pity. How can we learn to, not love, but accept someone who is supposedly heartless? How can we take pity on people who are seemingly monstrous? How does unrecieved love mould into an overpowering obsession built upon desires we are unable to satisfy? The novel feels like it is truly a love letter to these themes as both pain and pleasure are combined into the flowing story.
I have loved this ever since watching the musical, and the original story that brought it to life is absolutely incredible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Body horror, Confinement, Kidnapping, and Torture
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Classism, Death, Drug use, Violence, Stalking, and Suicide
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Self harm, Racism, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Death of parent, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
lostinafilmscene's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Watched the 2004 movie and the 25th anniversary version before reading the book. Needless to say, this book really intrigued me with its antique and mysterious vibes that were always there during Leroux's narratives.
Positive things:
Positive things:
- Christine was less shy and immature than the stage/movie version, which I liked by the way;
- Raoul was less irritating to read about, but more possessive in the book;
- More focused on actions than the romance (my preference);
Negative things:
- Erik was seen more as a monster than a man who has many traumas from the past by Christine (even though her main charm was being a compassionate person);
- It's very slow paced, so you've got to take your time to read this book;
- The order of events
(masquerade -> chandelier crashing -> disappearing) is also different, but i enjoyed the musical order even more (it makes more sense to me, i don't know)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Toxic relationship, Blood, Physical abuse, Alcoholism, Grief, Kidnapping, and Stalking
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