The Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera, or Le Fantôme de l'Opéra, is novel by French author Gaston Leroux. It was first published in a serialized form, then was released as a book in 1910. It is the classic story of Christine Daae, an opera singer who is coached in her singing by a mysterious voice emanating from the walls of her room. It is set in the Paris Opera house, and like the novel Dracula, is a collection of supposed news clippings and police reports. There is also the dashing nobelman Raoul de Chagney,who is also in love with her...but the thrilling mystery kicks in… when the voice says she's to love only it!
Gaston Leroux was born in Paris in 1868. He was a lawyer who at one point inherited millions of francs, which he spent like a maniac until he went bankrupt. Later he'd becomes a court reporter and theater critic for L'Écho de Paris. He'd cover the Russian Revolution in 1905, and later the former Paris Opera, which was discovered to contain a secret jail for prisoners of the Paris Commune, a communist group. During his investigation he became captivated and thrilled by the old Opera, and when he left journalism in 1907, the setting would form the backdrop for his most famous story. The Phantom of the Opera is best known as the 1925 film version or Andrew Lloyd Webber's massively popular 1986 musical, but Leroux's classic thriller is a great read.
Downloads on Classicly are completely free- these books are public domain.
We don’t pay a cent, so neither do you.
Naomi Rice
October 08, 2555
Absolutely amazing!! And so much better than the movie, and that's saying a lot because the movie was fantastic. :)
LOL LOL
May 15, 2013
I fell... KINKY
Jeffrey Dicke
May 13, 2013
I have been a huge fan of the phantom. From the first time I had seen the original black and white version to seeing the musical at Pantages theatre in California. To me the phantom is the hero. Every time I see anything about him I wish he won in the end.
Tyler Haven
April 02, 2013
Hated it hence the 1 star naomi rice its terrible the movies suck go read tarzan or beowulf maybe even the 32 page alldin and the magical lamp.
Haleigh The Bookworm
April 01, 2013
Great book! I am a "Phan" of the musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and basically have it memorized. If you have seen the movie version of the musical and that's it, you don't don't know what you're missing out on. Might I suggest the 25th Anniversary version at the Royal Albert Hall? And once you fall in love with that (because Sierra Boggess [Christine], Ramin Karimloo [The Phantom], and Hadley Fraiser [Raoul] are absolutely spectacular...), you must read this (if you haven't already). This book enhances the musical and vice-versa. This is a captivating love story that holds you at the edge of your seat with horror. It's creepy, mysterious, and sad. Written beautifully, you're never bored. Leroux has a way of captivating you, while getting right to the point. You will not be disappointed.
Cassidy Anne
April 01, 2013
stephanie turner if you ever saw the second movie that is the phantom still peeping on christine,
Stephanie Turner
March 21, 2013
I love the movie and book!❤If you do to google phantom of the opera: love never dies Its the second one, a bit creepy though!
Geisha Cielos
February 17, 2013
I loved it!
Samantha Lirag
February 07, 2013
I love Phantom of the Opera.I have seen the movie and its a great movie how Sarah Brightman sang it.The Phantoms love of Christine is so romantic and realistic.I love the cover how the phatk. Has a rose and the red is christine's dress and shes in it! winderful book Gaston =) It really womderful.
Eden Orjinta
February 06, 2013
Understanding
Hayden Strickler
January 05, 2013
Its ok but the retold is easyer to under stand!:)
Brenna Kobes
December 16, 2012
I love this book and the play, I've read the kids version of this, but in this book Christine sounds like a young child, Roual sounds like a creepy stalker person, and Erik sounds like a child molester. But other than that this is a very good book
Anton Lotter
October 25, 2012
Mystery, murder, music, romance...and the French...has to be worth it! Enjoyed the easy read...reminded me of the atmosphere Nathaniel Hawthorne conjures in some of his short stories.
Rachel Kappler
September 05, 2012
This is a well-written, but cliched story. I enjoyed it, but found the villain more interesting than the heroes.
Ken Moody
August 23, 2012
Love it
Navita Ghisiawan
July 22, 2012
Wonerful
Caira Spenrath
July 14, 2012
One of the best books I've ever read - WAY better than the musical or movie! I couldn't put it down!
Barry Stirling
July 08, 2012
Wish I had given up early instead of ploughing on to the end. Too fanciful for me.
Devina Lee
June 25, 2012
I love it cause My Friend requsted this book and she say it was a Good book thank Sasa to remind me about this book
Ryan Bloomfield
June 06, 2012
Fantastic
Judy Quilang
June 03, 2012
Good
Katie G
May 30, 2012
The book was absolutely amazing
Kaley LastName
April 21, 2012
It was phenomenal! I don't know who I love more, Erik the tortured soul or Raoul for his unceasing love. The ending was simply beautiful.
Ho Ho
March 23, 2012
The end part in which the phantom fails to get Christine to love him is sooooooooo sad!!!!!
Georgia Oswald
January 22, 2012
I loved the book it's good to read even for the age of twelve :D
Alecsander Robinson
January 10, 2012
This was the best book ever
Breanna Book
December 12, 2011
This book is awesome. Even for a teen like me
Heather Davies
September 13, 2011
Love triangle between the lovers and the phantom of the opera.
