stephilica's review against another edition
4.0
(True rating: 4.5/5)
For such a short novel, Leroux really packed a punch. He's skilled in prose, with beautiful descriptions of the theater that show his love for it. His passion is clear in the diction and techniques he employs, such as interposing the Phantom's threats between scenes of "Faust," building tension in-scene while also developing a theme of the novel.
There is a repeating motif of innocence and devotion, but also sacrifice, in love. Raoul may be overly enthusiastic and blind to Christine's concerns, but he's fully dedicated to her. Christine appears cold, but she gives up her own happiness in an attempt to save Raoul's life. In contrast to this "pure" couple, Erik is selfish and cruel—but, as Christine laments, impossible not to pity. In the conflict of Erik against Christine and Raoul, Leroux builds a story of conflict between self-interested obsession and "true," sacrificial love.
Amidst this overall grand plot, Leroux also tells a mystery, as the opera masters attempt to find their tormentor, and an action-adventure story, as Raoul and the Persian head to confront Erik head-on. The story is presented as if Leroux had served as an investigative reporter; between his narration are "first-hand" accounts from the characters, like a diluted version of Bram Stoker's technique in Dracula. However, unlike in Stoker's work, the technique sometimes falls flat; POV changes appear randomly-selected. For example, I do not believe the Persian's POV shift for three chapters was wholly necessary beyond some exposition that could have been told more effectively in other ways.
Despite this, Leroux's use of tone, from the darkly humorous to the tragic, crescendoes into a satisfying climax. The horror of the story comes not from a supernatural ghost, but in the selfishness of the human heart.
For such a short novel, Leroux really packed a punch. He's skilled in prose, with beautiful descriptions of the theater that show his love for it. His passion is clear in the diction and techniques he employs, such as interposing the Phantom's threats between scenes of "Faust," building tension in-scene while also developing a theme of the novel.
There is a repeating motif of innocence and devotion, but also sacrifice, in love. Raoul may be overly enthusiastic and blind to Christine's concerns, but he's fully dedicated to her. Christine appears cold, but she gives up her own happiness in an attempt to save Raoul's life. In contrast to this "pure" couple, Erik is selfish and cruel—but, as Christine laments, impossible not to pity. In the conflict of Erik against Christine and Raoul, Leroux builds a story of conflict between self-interested obsession and "true," sacrificial love.
Amidst this overall grand plot, Leroux also tells a mystery, as the opera masters attempt to find their tormentor, and an action-adventure story, as Raoul and the Persian head to confront Erik head-on. The story is presented as if Leroux had served as an investigative reporter; between his narration are "first-hand" accounts from the characters, like a diluted version of Bram Stoker's technique in Dracula. However, unlike in Stoker's work, the technique sometimes falls flat; POV changes appear randomly-selected. For example, I do not believe the Persian's POV shift for three chapters was wholly necessary beyond some exposition that could have been told more effectively in other ways.
Despite this, Leroux's use of tone, from the darkly humorous to the tragic, crescendoes into a satisfying climax. The horror of the story comes not from a supernatural ghost, but in the selfishness of the human heart.
cascaontheshore's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
fatima353's review against another edition
4.0
4.5
• “you are crying! you are afraid of me! and yet i am not really wicked. love me and you shall see. all i wanted was to be loved for myself.”
• "If I am the phantom, it is because man's hatred has made me so. If I am to be saved it is because your love redeems me."
• “He had a heart that could have held the empire of the world; and, in the end, he had to content himself with a cellar. Ah, yes, we must needs pity the Opera ghost.”
• “you are crying! you are afraid of me! and yet i am not really wicked. love me and you shall see. all i wanted was to be loved for myself.”
• "If I am the phantom, it is because man's hatred has made me so. If I am to be saved it is because your love redeems me."
• “He had a heart that could have held the empire of the world; and, in the end, he had to content himself with a cellar. Ah, yes, we must needs pity the Opera ghost.”
maddalenacesco's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
delusional weirdo living in the sewers goes nuts. malewife inspiration.
augo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
freja7280's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
adele_gold23's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
moustoir's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
lisvhout's review against another edition
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
5.0
angelicasreads's review against another edition
3.0
These characters were so dramatic. Raoul kept bursting into tears. Christine was too nice for her own good. And Erik? Well, Eric was the most frustrating and dramatic of them all.
Also, how old was Erik? The man lived ten different lived before meeting Christine.
Anyway, that’s over and done with and I can now move on with my life.
Also, how old was Erik? The man lived ten different lived before meeting Christine.
Anyway, that’s over and done with and I can now move on with my life.