100 Things to read! (4/100)

[kseenaa]

More reading!

Great things to read! (Books/Comics/Fanfic)

Going back to books again! :-)

This book I read when I was quite young, which might not have been to smart.... *lol* I actually blame spicehobbit for this one to! I think I was 15-16 years old when I read this... I think because she had seen the musical for the first time around there and was squeeing all over the place. Not sure.

Anyway, the book I am talking about is Phantom of the Opera written by Gaston Leroux. It was published in book form for the first time 1910. Didn't go so well, until various film adaptions and musical adaptions were made.

But the book, people... The BOOK! It is quite amazing actually. Sure, the language is a bit aged, but it all adds to it. It is a very gothic mystery story, if you can call it that.

And there are a a lot more interesting side-characters in this book then there is no room for in the musical (I especially love the Police Inspector who tries to solve the phantom-mystery...). Also, quite a bit of hints as to where the Phantom, or Erik as his name is, where he comes from... where he has been... and what he has done before he ended up under the Paris Opera. Only hints, but they give a lot to the story. Gives it another life then the musical, I feel... but that might just be my personal opinion.

Very poetic, sad, melancholy... and beautiful. There is romance to, of course. And one can discuss if the right guy won the girl in the end... One never really knows. But that is the beauty of the book. There is nothing right or wrong with the characters action. On the surface, yes... but then you start to think... and this book makes you think... why is it right? And wrong? Could it be seen in another way? And usually you can...

Sad story, with no real winners I'd say.

I can't recommend this book highly enough. It is a classical book that I think as many as possible should read.

It is most likely available in most libraries, but if you can't find it there...

Amazon has it available right here:
The Phantom of the Opera (Penguin Classics)




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Comments

[iamkaa.livejournal.com]

I really love this book, and as you say, so sad and beautiful! I think that is the problem for many good books, that it has to be more black and white for most readers, the really, really good ones are often not the biggest selling once, I would say.

[kseenaa.livejournal.com]

I like that it is all grey areas in that book! No one is 100% evil or good. I love that. And that is modertly easy to read, despite it's age. :-) So yeah, I hope someone dares to check it out one day. :-) If they, like you, haven't read it already. I've never seen the musical, but I have seen the musical-movie. And it was quite good, I'd say!

[ruchirahni.livejournal.com]

agreed 100%. such a great book.

[ruchirahni.livejournal.com]

I know I"m sick but I seriously always wanted her to end up with the Phantom. So sexy! Did you see the latest movie? I loved it, was obsessed with it for weeks. I wish you could've seen the NY Broadway; it was incredible

[kseenaa.livejournal.com]

It really is a brilliant book, despite it's age. :-) I've read it twice that I can remember... Might have to read it again... (When ever I have time... HA! Hardly likely...)

And you are not alone. :-D Both me and spicehobbit are both on Eriks/The Phantoms side. Sure he is quite sick in the head (no wonder...) but he sure as hell deserves some happiness to! So, yeah... :-D