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A review by hrhaphrodite1
The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.25
On paper, I should have adored this book.
I love opera houses and theatres, ghost stories and stage tricks, and the beautiful translation by Ribiere cast a light on some of the most poetic passages penned by Leroux - but there were times I found this book almost feeling like a chore. The quality of the writing wasn't really to blame for that - pulp is a language in and of itself, and this book is easier to read than something like 'Dracula' or 'Frankenstein'.
I think my problem was the pacing. Because of the context Leroux was writing in, some of the chapters felt almost like a hurdle to read. But the upside is this book is one of the best gothic novels I've ever read. Part mystery novel, part horror story, it captures the monster element perfectly (the Phantom at times is more horrible than Dracula) and the setting of the opera house rather than that of a castle is a beautiful, welcome change to me.
I love opera houses and theatres, ghost stories and stage tricks, and the beautiful translation by Ribiere cast a light on some of the most poetic passages penned by Leroux - but there were times I found this book almost feeling like a chore. The quality of the writing wasn't really to blame for that - pulp is a language in and of itself, and this book is easier to read than something like 'Dracula' or 'Frankenstein'.
I think my problem was the pacing. Because of the context Leroux was writing in, some of the chapters felt almost like a hurdle to read. But the upside is this book is one of the best gothic novels I've ever read. Part mystery novel, part horror story, it captures the monster element perfectly (the Phantom at times is more horrible than Dracula) and the setting of the opera house rather than that of a castle is a beautiful, welcome change to me.