Variations on a Theme of Leroux

by H.D. Kingsbury

Reviews

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux is one of my favorite books and the Phantom (aka Erik) is one of the most interesting antiheros/villains in literature. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that I love Phan fiction (or fiction based on Phantom of the Opera or continuations of the plot line). Although there is a veritable tidal wave of said Phan fiction, a few books stand head and shoulders above most (and this would be one of those books). The plot is well conceived, leaving one guessing at every page turn and nervously (or joyously) anticipating the next scene. Unlike other Phan fiction, this piece has also been carefully thought out and the history painstakingly researched. It's tone is decidedly not like that of Leroux, though there are darker elements to it but it is peppered with a fair amount of humor and allusion as well. At times it has the flavor of the 1943 Phantom movie with Claude Rains. In fact, one of the characters, Anatole, comes directly from that work (and the author, who I have interacted with on a Phan site admits to this). Still, it is an enjoyable read. One of the best Phan fics out there.
One side note: excellent touch by the author to reverse the roles, in a manner of speaking, of the Phantom and his rival, Raoul. Instead of the Phantom as the obsessive stalker, Raoul acts the part - even going so far as to have the Phantom kidnapped and locked away in an insane asylum to prevent him from marrying Christine.