Phantom Of The Opera - Excellent

Phantom Of The Opera
Susan Kay

I’ve just finished Phantom Of The Opera and I don’t know if i should laugh or cry. It’s a beautiful ending and I, for one, think it’s a good ending. Not everyone ends up completely happy, but a good book isn’t always a happy one.

A few months ago I read the “original” book. Almost the same title, The Phantom Of The Opera by Gaston Leroux. It’s a book that, supposedly, is written by a man trying to solve the mystery about the Opera Ghost. Therefore he interviews a lot of people and in the end comes up with a storyline of the time up till and during Christine Daae’s disappearance. It’s quite moving but hard to really feel because of the strange mix of letters, reports and interviews it consists of.
Phantom of the Opera is the story about Erik, the Opera Ghost. A new writer telling his enthralling story from different points of view. First his mother, himself, his “mentor”, the Persian and so on.

When a good friend recommended the book I was, at first, not quite convinced that it was something I should use my time on – I mean, seriously: This is like fan fiction gone wild. Someone using someone else’s success to their own gain. But I trusted this friend to have a good taste in books, so I gave it a chance.

I was surprised, overwhelmed, fascinated. It was a fantastic story. Erik (aka. Opera Ghost) is a wonderful main character. I really worried about him, really hoped he would make the right decision. I was more involved in the book than usual because, mostly, you are completely sure that the main character will make the right decision in the end. You had none of that security with Erik. I laughed (apparently I have the same black humour as Erik), hurt and cried while reading this book. I bit my lip in worry, grind my teeth in frustration and stared into space in the surrender of all hope.

I will venture to guess that most of you know this story because you’ve seen the musical. If you liked it or found the end frustrating you should read the books. The Phantom Of The Opera (Gaston Leroux), I feel, doesn’t give you a lot other than the true and complete story, Persian and all. After that, I would read Phantom Of The Opera (Susan Kay) for it really captures you. The ending in Susan Kay’s version is slightly different because it tells you more at the end than the original. The ending can, in other words, be interpreted in another way. And I love the end. Not heartbreaking and yet not happy.

I recommend the life story of Erik (Susan Kay version) to everyone if you like a fascinating and slightly different read.