Reviews

Le Fantôme de l'Opéra by Gaston Leroux

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jujudepamplemousse's review against another edition

3.0

Le fantôme de l’Opéra de Gaston Leroux était très différent de ce à quoi je m’attendais. J’avais en tête quelque chose dans la veine de l’adaption en film d’animation d’Eric Bergeron, Un monstre un Paris, qui est un véritable régal. Et malheureusement j’ai été déçue par l’originale.
Les décors et l’atmosphère gothique sont somptueux. Mais la plongée dans le fascinant Opéra Garnier ne suffit pas à compenser les longueurs de l’histoire. Je n’ai pas adhéré au style de narration choisi par l’auteur. Les personnages, exception faite du Person, sont insipides. La romance n’est pas touchante et presque ridicule. Les intrigues sont bien trop mélodramatiques.

estelalieu's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

thetbrstack's review against another edition

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5.0

I didn't realize the play had started out as a book. Indeed, I was always curious about when and what it was written as, thinking it seemed like an old story to be a modern creation. But it's a book that was published in France in 1911.

It's billed as being an early detective novel, and for helping to introduce the concept of a reporter-detective. It's written as history, with the author's theme that he has researched the story of the Phantom, interviwed survivors, and is now telling the true, unvarnished facts. Heck, he even includes footnotes.

I really liked this book -- it's sad but compelling. It's a bit fanciful in parts, calling for you to let go of your sense of disbelief, but it all comes together in the end. I did enjoy the explanations, and I did enjoy the way it is presented toward the end.

Sometimes, the French names make it a bit difficult to follow, but all in all, it is an enjoyable read.

Now, I've got to see the play again to determine how the source material was presented.

derikabailey's review against another edition

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dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

cindyshirld's review against another edition

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1.0

Me wanting to read one of the most famous books throughout history and I just do not get the hype. Tried getting into it and gave it a chance until halfway through the book but I just could not get into the plot which was very confusing.