About the Phantom of the Opera

Hello Everybody,
 This is a very important post for I will be discussing a book. Although, I'm not a book person, I do read --and very well I may add! So, recently, I finished reading The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux (very French XD - I have always wanted to meet a French person) and this is a summary and review from the unpopular perosn of which you hate.

Gaston Leroux’s novel titled The Phantom of the Opera, published by Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Groups, Inc., appeals primarily to those interested in mystery, fate, love, and suspense! He introduces himself as a character in the future in Paris, France, uncovering the story of the “Opera Ghost” or what is also known as the Phantom. Many of us who have heard of the famous book, play, or movie may be excused to believe that the phantom is an evil, spellbinding creature. I mean that was my impression while reading the novel for he sure does present himself that way. Gaston acknowledges that he is an historian expecting to uncover the mysterious case of the Opera Ghost, the disappearances of Viscount Raoul de Chagny, his brother, and Christine Daae to none other than the Persian. The Persian is described as swarthy and holds a major role in explaining what he knows about the apparition, however he shows no major importance whatsoever in the midst of the novel. Gaston attempts to identify if the phantom is real or a myth. With his knowledge, the Persian proves to Leroux that the ghost is indeed true by informing him of a carcass found in a sub-structure of the Opera house where the story primarily sets itself.

             The story actually begins in the Paris Opera [house] where there have been sights and rumors of the infamous and distinct “Opera Ghost”.

Leroux begins Christine and Raoul’s encounters when Raoul and brother, Count Philip de Chagny indulge in a song sung by Christine Daae (a pure singer whose voice is described as angelic and perfect), a childhood friend of Raoul, who he had loved for years. During her performance, Daae had felt faint and needed rest. Raoul, wanting to surprise her with his appearance (for they hadn’t seen each other since they were children), overheard her in her dressing room talking to an anonymous “man” who claimed that he loved her. This shattered Chagny’s heart.

Later did he learn that Christine was speaking with the Angel of Music, a mythical apparition who her father promised she meet (he didn’t meet the angel so her promised that Christine would). He said that the angel only meets those of which have “musical souls”. As children, Raoul was deeply acquainted with Christine’s father. Her father was also a musician and was known for playing with his violin.  Well, apparently, she had been receiving music lessons from this “angel” for three months and had started to develop feelings for it.

              On a night of Christine’s performance, she suddenly became unfaithfully unbalanced. No one would know that she would disappear later that day only by none other than the Phantom. After two weeks of worrying about Christine’s intentions and emotions, Raoul receives a note –from Christine telling him to attend the ball held at the Opera with specific instructions of what to wear. He does so and does come in contact with her, but as he follows her to an unknown room, they argue their very first argument. Thus leaving Christine vulnerable for disappearing again by the obvious, Erik, the Opera Ghost, who of which Raoul learned his name at the ball.

              With significant effort, Christine returns from Erik’s clutches and reveals to Chagny why she was abducted, leaving Raoul inconsolable when he noticed a plain gold ring upon her left ring finger. As he noticed the ring, he could only think about two things: killing the Phantom and marrying Christine (which was a problem because she promised Erik that she would never marry –but him).
             The story has many internal and external conflicts regarding Raoul’s endeavors in pursuing Christine, but of course, to obtain more information regarding this, read forth and uncover the many attempts of Raoul.

The story alludes to many French plays, dancers, and artists, even English author, Shakespeare, and incorporates direct characterization especially towards Raoul who expresses his discomfort and pure hatred towards the ghost and his love and resentment of Christine’s actions. The novel also includes third-person point of view from the author’s knowledge. Predominantly, the book is rather gloomy and heartfelt (which is a rather interesting and unnatural combination)

             As stated in the first paragraph, I highly recommend this novel to those who are interested in mystery, love, and suspense – and may I say twists! In my accounts of the story, it is a pristine narrative that thrills those who truly are mesmerized by the events in it. Honestly, I cried at least half a dozen times when I kept Chagny’s emotions by heart.

*The story taught me to persevere when it comes to those you truly love!*