A review by zuomiriam
The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux

4.0

Glad I finally got around to reading this novel. The text holds enormous stature, especially on Broadway, though it's actually a pretty quick read. The writing grabs you from the start and demands your uninterrupted attention, even if you already have a sense of the narrative arc. Leroux blends some facts into his story (e.g. the discovery of a skeleton below the Opera House actually happened), which adds a touch of plausibility that makes it all the more poignant. Erik, the Opera Ghost, reminds me of Frankenstein in that his physical ugliness bars him from living a normal life, particularly when it comes to finding love; although a genius with a beautiful voice, Erik is also cruel and vengeful at times (akin to Shelley's Frankenstein, as well as in later film adaptations of that character). I think the depth and complexity of Erik's character contributes in large part to the lasting power of this story. Definitely worth reading at least once.