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The Phantom of the Opera
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The Phantom of the Opera by
Gaston Leroux Review
After the success of the movie version of The Phantom of the Opera, I
decided it would be a good idea to finally read the book. Gaston Leroux’s
The Phantom of the Opera, is definitely a worthwhile read. The novel is
much scarier than either the stage or film version. And, quite obviously,
Andrew Lloyd Weber took a few liberties when composing and writing his
version of The Phantom of the Opera.
First, I will review the novel (since it is the original The Phantom of
the Opera).
Gaston Leroux did extensive research (or so he claims) before writing The
Phantom of the Opera. From all the documents which I’ve seen and studied,
Leroux does a marvelous job of recreating the Paris Opera House, both in
imagery and in reality. The story is described in wonderful detail. The
catacombs, the exterior, the intricate levels both above and below the
stage, the workings of a theatre, and everyone involved are all
beautifully portrayed without being overly assertive.
Leroux’s approach to the story of The Phantom of the Opera still manages
to insert little details along the way to keep most readers entranced in
the story. A thrilling journey through not only another time, but through
another world as well.
I would personally not recommend Gaston Leroux’s The Phantom of the Opera
to young children. Even as an adult, I was a little frightened during some
parts. However, I would recommend it to those adults, and young adults,
who are in search of the truth behind Andrew Lloyd Weber’s theatrical
sensation, and just a quick, easy, and fun read. (It only took me two days
to read – which is saying something since I’m a pretty slow reader. I like
to absorb all the details I can.)
To buy The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux, click here.
Gaston Leroux biography
Gaston Leroux (1868-1927), French mystery novelist, playwright and
journalist, was born on May 6, 1868 in Paris as the son of a wealthy
storeowner. He attended school in Normandy and studied law in Paris,
receiving his degree in 1889. After inheriting nearly a million francs he
spent most of his time drinking and gambling. Finding his money gone,
Leroux started to work as a theatre critic and reporter for L'Écho de
Paris. By 1890 Leroux had become a full-time journalist. From 1909 Leroux
devoted himself entirely to writing, focusing on plays and popular novels
of mystery and detection.
Leroux started to write novels in the early 1900s. Between the years 1903
and 1927 Leroux produced two dozen newspaper serials, many shorter works,
and seven plays. His breakthrough work was Le Mystère de la chambre jaune
(1907, The Mystery of the Yellow Room), which introduced the teenager
crime reporter Joseph Rouletabille. Leroux's other series character was
Cheri-Bibi, who appeared in several detective novels.
In 1919 Leroux established his own film company called Cinéromans. Leroux
died in Nice, France on April 15/16, 1927, as a result of an acute urinary
infection.
The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux Summary
The lights dim at the Paris Opera House. The exquisite Christine Daae
enraptures the audience with her mellifluous voice. Immediately, Raoul de
Chagny falls deeply in love. But the legend of the disfigured "opera
ghost" haunts the performance, and as Raoul begins his pursuit of
Christine, he is pulled into the depths of the opera house, and into the
depths of human emotions. Soon Raoul discovers that the ghost is real and
that he wields a terrifying power over Christine--a power as unimaginable
as the ghost's masked face. Raoul also discovers just how dark and
demented the Ghost is; thus adding intensity to the search to find and
save Christine. As Raoul and the ghost vie for Christine's love, a journey
begins into the dark recesses of the human heart, where desire,
vulnerability, fear, and violence unravel in a tragic confrontation.
For those of you who have seen The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd
Weber, may think you know how this ends, but I wouldn’t be too sure if I
were you.
Purchase The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
Buy The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Weber on DVD
Buy The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Weber on VHS
Buy The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Weber soundtrack
Buy The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Weber score
Those who liked The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux, may also like
the following titles.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo
The Complete Phantom of the Opera by George Perry
The Phantom of the Opera Companion by Andrew Lloyd Weber
The Essential Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
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