The Phantom of the Opera (Bantam Classics)
Gaston Leroux is one of the originators of the detective story, and The Phantom of the Opera is his tour de force, as well as being the basis for the hit Broadway musical. A superb suspense story and a dark tale of obsession, The Phantom of the Opera has thrilled and entertained audiences in adaptations throughout the century.
This new translation—the first completely modern and Americanized translation—unfurls the full impact of this classic thriller for modern readers. It offers a more complete rendering of the terrifying figure who emerges from the depths of the glorious Paris Opera House to take us into the darkest regions of the human heart. After the breathtaking performance of the lovely Christine Daae and her sudden disappearance, the old legend of the “opera ghost” becomes a horrifying reality as the ghost strikes out with increasing frequency and violence—always with the young singer at the center of his powerful obsession. Leroux has created a masterwork of love and murder—and a tragic figure who awakens our deepest and most forbidden fears.
This is the only complete, unabridged modern Americanized translation available. Lowell Bair is the acclaimed translator of such Bantam Classics as Madame Bovary, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, and Candide.
This new translation—the first completely modern and Americanized translation—unfurls the full impact of this classic thriller for modern readers. It offers a more complete rendering of the terrifying figure who emerges from the depths of the glorious Paris Opera House to take us into the darkest regions of the human heart. After the breathtaking performance of the lovely Christine Daae and her sudden disappearance, the old legend of the “opera ghost” becomes a horrifying reality as the ghost strikes out with increasing frequency and violence—always with the young singer at the center of his powerful obsession. Leroux has created a masterwork of love and murder—and a tragic figure who awakens our deepest and most forbidden fears.
This is the only complete, unabridged modern Americanized translation available. Lowell Bair is the acclaimed translator of such Bantam Classics as Madame Bovary, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, and Candide.
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Community Reviews
I watched the 2004 movie of The Phantom of the Opera because my wife is a huge fan. Not just of the movie, but of multiple movies, she read the book, etc. I admit that I really enjoyed the movie, we watch it once a year and I have wanted to read the book ever since. She warned me, however, that the book is different. That was quite the understatement. First of all, the book is gothic horror, not really the romantic action story told in the movie. The book is very dark and Erik is, for lack of a better word, a true monster. He kills, injures, blackmails, and kidnaps. He is on the list of the darkest characters I have ever read. Next, let’s look at Raoul. Is he a hero? Absolutely not. He’s a buffoon. He’s childish, impatient, and goes through life in a fog. How about Christine. Is she the sweet, innocent flower in the movie? Not even close. She is the hero of the tale. She endures Erik’s brutality and makes the right choices for the greater good, even if it puts her at risk. At the same time, there is some humor injected her and there, which helped lighten up the darkness. (I actually laughed out loud once, which does not happen often.) I do not generally read horror, so this left me in some uncharted waters, but I ended up enjoying it far more than I expected. In the end, I liked it. A lot. It’s a far more complex and layered story than the movie that I still enjoy so much. Highly recommended!
I am a huge fan of The Phantom of the Opera. I love all the excitement and the feeling of love between the Phantom and Christine. It's a wonderfully written book.
Poor, poor Erik!
This book was a true horror story. Most books meant to scare can't evoke that in me like movies can, but there were moments in this book where I was chilled by those yellow eyes. Unexpectedly akin to Edgar Allan Poe, an absolute 5/5 classic for me. The narrative voice is superb.
I've never seen the movie or the play, but the plot was always described to me as romantic and the Phantom as a brooding tragic lover. If that's the case, it's a tragedy it would be adapted that way. (Update once I watch the movie)
This book was a true horror story. Most books meant to scare can't evoke that in me like movies can, but there were moments in this book where I was chilled by those yellow eyes. Unexpectedly akin to Edgar Allan Poe, an absolute 5/5 classic for me. The narrative voice is superb.
I've never seen the movie or the play, but the plot was always described to me as romantic and the Phantom as a brooding tragic lover. If that's the case, it's a tragedy it would be adapted that way. (Update once I watch the movie)
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