Finally I have got around to posting my review on this simply AMAZING book! Some people have already commented on the Classics Challenge post about this wonderful read so it's clear many of you already know and love this thrilling and emotional story. Just to clarify; this is about the BOOK not the amazing musical!
The story starts in the Paris Opera where we learn that the Opera House is haunted by the 'Opera Ghost' who frrightens the ballerinas and plays tricks on the owners. He always sits in Box 5, attended by Madame Giry and always demands he is paid money every year. The opera house, we learn, is being handed to new management and the new owners do not want to pay a 'ghost'. The story goes on, trouble caused by the lack of payment and a new star emerging from nowhere; Christine Daae, who sings like an angel and attracts much applause from the audience when she performs in the place of the former diva who flounced off. One memeber of the audience is Raoul, the Viscount de Chagny.
As Raoul wishes to meet Christine again after so many years (they were childhood friends) he hurries to her rooms backstage. But outside the door he hears not only Christines voice, but a mans too. A voice that is alluring and soft, and voice so full of music it reminds Raoul of the Angel of Music, a promise made to Christine by her Father that and Angel of Music would come to her when he died. Christine, on being confronted by Raoul, says that there was no one there.
Other dramatic events folow on. When the Ghosts demands are not met that Christine should play the lead in the Opera Faust and that Box 5 remains his own, Carlotta (the old diva) loses her voice and the chandelier plummets to the ground. Then by far the strangest event occurs; the disappearance of Christine Daae!
This review does not go into the mystery surrounding the 'Opera Ghost', or the 'Phantom' as he is more commonly known due to the musical. This is because the events surrounding him are so exciting and key to the plot twists that any information would ruin the story for you!
The Phantom of the Opera is not a light easy read, nor is it a positive smiley story. It is a tale of obsession, murder, a tormented person due to their looks and the redemptive power of love. I won't lie; I will always wish the ending was somehow different, for in many ways this is Beauty and the Beast without the happy ending. However, this story is also one the most amazing and powerful books I have ever read and would seriously recommend it to anyone and everyone. I cried, I jumped and I thought about this book for days after I finished it.
This book is especially good if you buy/borrow/download a version that has references and notes on the unclear parts to the story like all the references to famous people and places of the time (this book is actually French and has to be translated into English) and a little prior history of the story and Gaston Leroux.
There is only one message to all readers of this blog that I can possibly think of; read this book! You will be amazed!
Five shiny golden stars (is it possible to go higher? Maybe SIX!) and the age rating OLDER READERS for perhaps upsetting themes and content.
Happy reading, please comment! From RedHead
Sunday, 3 February 2013
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