Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
My reading slowed down a bit once the Persian showed up. It was odd and I was confused, I think leroux just wanted someone who knew the inside deets of the Paris Opera House without having actual development of discovery
This book had good and interesting ideas, but it's executed very poorly. First of all, the writing style is all over the place. In general, I think this isn't well written but I'm willing to give the author the benefit of the doubt and say it was a bad translation or it just didn't sound as good in English. But there's more to it. The author writes this book in the point of view of an investigator of sorts who is compiling memoirs, interviews, etc., to solve the mystery of the Opera Phantom and Christine's disappearance. But he never properly commits to this idea and so a lot of the book, especially the first half, is told in 3rd person of what I guess the narrator thinks happened. I think this book would've been stronger if it was committed to being solely based on memoirs/newspapers/interviews OR if it was completely in 3rd person based on what the narrator thinks happened based on his findings. This halfway thing didn't really work out, at least to me. Or maybe it could've worked but the author just can't write.
I also want to say is that the first third was vaguely interesting, the second third was incredibly boring, and the last third was so absurd that it became amusing. The ending was also very anticlimactic in my opinion as well. I didn't need anything too big to happen but I also would've liked something better.
The themes weren't that good. The narrator tried to tell me that I should pity Erik and that he wasn't actually that bad but I'm like "hmm. I think the murderous incel is pretty bad, even if the world was injust to me. Surprisingly enough, people can be oppressed without becoming incels."
I'm harping on this book a lot but I do want to say I did enjoy it a lot when it wasn't being boring, but only because it was so stupid... is that a compliment? It was meant to be. It's just when it's trying to be funny it's dumb and when it's trying to be serious it's funny. Hm. Not as much of a compliment as I wanted it to be.
Credit where credit was due, the Persian wasn't that bad of a brown character in this older novel, even if the backstory involving Persia was kind of racist and the fact he is known solely as "The Persian" is kind of lame. My bar for racial diversity in older books are low, especially non-racist ones, but it managed not to completely hit the floor. In fact, I think the Persian was the only likable (and sane) character in the whole book. I'm not Persian but I am brown, and let me tell you I don't know any Opera Phantoms but I do know what it's like to be the only sane person in a room filled with crazy/stupid white people.
Raoul is the worst character though, you cannot change my mind. Erik was a worse person but Raoul was more annoying, especially since he was meant to be the main lead.
I think Lindsay Ellis said it best when she said this was a little nothing of a book. Yeah, if this book (not any of the movies/musicals, just the book) was forgotten by the sands of time we wouldn't have lost much. But hey, now I'm going to go listen to that musical.
I also want to say is that the first third was vaguely interesting, the second third was incredibly boring, and the last third was so absurd that it became amusing. The ending was also very anticlimactic in my opinion as well. I didn't need anything too big to happen but I also would've liked something better.
The themes weren't that good. The narrator tried to tell me that I should pity Erik and that he wasn't actually that bad but I'm like "hmm. I think the murderous incel is pretty bad, even if the world was injust to me. Surprisingly enough, people can be oppressed without becoming incels."
I'm harping on this book a lot but I do want to say I did enjoy it a lot when it wasn't being boring, but only because it was so stupid... is that a compliment? It was meant to be. It's just when it's trying to be funny it's dumb and when it's trying to be serious it's funny. Hm. Not as much of a compliment as I wanted it to be.
Credit where credit was due, the Persian wasn't that bad of a brown character in this older novel, even if the backstory involving Persia was kind of racist and the fact he is known solely as "The Persian" is kind of lame. My bar for racial diversity in older books are low, especially non-racist ones, but it managed not to completely hit the floor. In fact, I think the Persian was the only likable (and sane) character in the whole book. I'm not Persian but I am brown, and let me tell you I don't know any Opera Phantoms but I do know what it's like to be the only sane person in a room filled with crazy/stupid white people.
Raoul is the worst character though, you cannot change my mind. Erik was a worse person but Raoul was more annoying, especially since he was meant to be the main lead.
I think Lindsay Ellis said it best when she said this was a little nothing of a book. Yeah, if this book (not any of the movies/musicals, just the book) was forgotten by the sands of time we wouldn't have lost much. But hey, now I'm going to go listen to that musical.
I have mixed feelings about this work in particular, but I am beyond obsessed with the musical adaptation and film score.
I wish there was more characterization and psychology of the characters; if Christine and Erik had an inner monologue, I think I would connect with the story in a richer way.
I wish there was more characterization and psychology of the characters; if Christine and Erik had an inner monologue, I think I would connect with the story in a richer way.
The love -> hate -> love relationship every two sentences goes crazy
damn. so close to five stars but the pacing and excessive description (typical of these books i know, it’s just not my preference) made some parts a bit difficult to get through. i loved a lot of things about this book. leroux has a way of describing beautiful music that perfectly captures what it’s like to hear it. the vibrancy of his writing and his figurative language in moments of high tension and emotion is what stood out most to me. and how full of life his main characters are. they’re all so distinct and very memorable. gotta give it more time in my brain!!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“I am the phantom, it is because man's hatred has made me so. If I am to be saved, it is because your love redeems me.”
It’s your classic gothic novel with themes of isolation, loneliness, love, possession, and, of course, dangerous obsession. The mystery of the phantom that haunts the Paris opera house and the opera house itself takes the reader on a journey. Erik the Phantom is characterized as the villain, but I feel he is lashing out and reacting in a way that reflects the duality of human nature. He’s grotesque to look at and, therefore, is treated as a monster. If you’re told you’re a monster, a “living corpse,” then you begin to become one. Locked in a life of loneliness, Erik then hears the lovely Christine, who instead turns to him as her “angel of music” as he teaches her how to sing better. She then gains more notoriety and stage time. Therefore, she turns to him more. This man has been desperate for attention. He then proceeds to use his beauty and madness against her. Eventually, he learns she loves another and, overcome with jealousy, kidnaps her. While Erik does a LOT wrong, he is simply a man wanting to be loved. “ I want a nice quiet apartment like everyone else with ordinary doors and windows and a proper Wife..… I want a wife whom I can love, take out on Sundays, and keep using the rest of the week. Oh, you would never be bored with me! “This line broke my heart. Erik the Phantom deserved better.
It’s your classic gothic novel with themes of isolation, loneliness, love, possession, and, of course, dangerous obsession. The mystery of the phantom that haunts the Paris opera house and the opera house itself takes the reader on a journey. Erik the Phantom is characterized as the villain, but I feel he is lashing out and reacting in a way that reflects the duality of human nature. He’s grotesque to look at and, therefore, is treated as a monster. If you’re told you’re a monster, a “living corpse,” then you begin to become one. Locked in a life of loneliness, Erik then hears the lovely Christine, who instead turns to him as her “angel of music” as he teaches her how to sing better. She then gains more notoriety and stage time. Therefore, she turns to him more. This man has been desperate for attention. He then proceeds to use his beauty and madness against her. Eventually, he learns she loves another and, overcome with jealousy, kidnaps her. While Erik does a LOT wrong, he is simply a man wanting to be loved. “ I want a nice quiet apartment like everyone else with ordinary doors and windows and a proper Wife..… I want a wife whom I can love, take out on Sundays, and keep using the rest of the week. Oh, you would never be bored with me! “This line broke my heart. Erik the Phantom deserved better.
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
There was nothing wrong with the book itself, but the translation was so bad in the edition I chose. I need to reread it again in the future, either in English on with another translator.
The ending made me look at the main character with completely different eyes.
Who would you be if you were rejected by the world in all its forms? Starting with your mother and ending with those who only consume your talent...
And who is this Society, condemned in many, many novels? It’s us, who are so understanding and sympathetic when reading, but in life giving their attention and love only to what and who impresses us.
Who would you be if you were rejected by the world in all its forms? Starting with your mother and ending with those who only consume your talent...
And who is this Society, condemned in many, many novels? It’s us, who are so understanding and sympathetic when reading, but in life giving their attention and love only to what and who impresses us.