Phantom of the Opera discussion

I just finished reading Phantom by author Susan Kay.
What a powerful,emotional, book! a must read for fans of POTO my review here Phantom

This book has some excellent ratings and reviews. I'm looking forward to reading it.

Vicki wrote: "It's quite popular. Pretty much a must-read for many Phantom fans, along with Leroux."

I'm trying to get my hands on both versions so I can read one after the other. The Sony version is 95 cents... can't beat that, but how good is it? That's the question. My husband is going to B&N right now to check out their edition. It's only about $6 and with my educator's discount and a 15% off coupon, that'll really bring the price down.

Thanks, Vicki!! Where is it free? If I can't find it, I'll take you up on your offer if it was a free download to begin with, it's not illegal, right?

UniquelyMoi *~*Dhestiny*~* wrote: "Thanks, Vicki!! Where is it free? If I can't find it, I'll take you up on your offer if it was a free download to begin with, it's not illegal, right?"

I provided a link on one of the other fora. The book is public domain, so it's available for free all over the place.

Sharon, when I went to download from that link, it had a $2.99 price tag, that's why I didn't download it.

Thank you, Vicki, that link worked perfect! And in epub, too!

I just finished reading WOW!! a must read for POTO lovers my review here The Phantom of Valletta

I just finished my review is here Letters to Erik: The Ghost's Love Story

I just finished my review is here Chanson de l'Ange
Thank you Paisley for such a beautiful journey!!!! and I want to know ASAP when book 2 is out!! :)

My review of Susan Kay's "Phantom" has been posted. I finished it last week.

It was a great review Anne!..you should post it here so others can see!

Here it is:

My review

Well, I finally read Susan Kay's "Phantom." Before I wrote my own book, I had read nothing but the original Leroux book as I did not want to be influenced by any other writer.
I must admit that this book is heartwrenching, sad, but beautifully crafted. I was continually amazed at the ability of the author to see into each character in the book and put it to paper.
Erik, of course, broke my heart. I was sick after the first chapter when I saw how his mother treated him. It was a miracle that he was able to become such a renowned musician, architect, painter and magician. I was constantly saddened as I read each stage of his terribly unhappy life, his desire to be loved, his wish for only a kiss from his mother, which she refused, his treatment in the gypsy caravan and in Persia. then his awakening to the human love with Christine and her gradual awakening to his heart, and the final gift she gave him and the result of that gift, her son, Charles. I must admit, I do not like pre-marital sex, but this was so beautifully written with no vulgarity, but only the desire of Christine to give Erik something that no other woman ever had or would. Her gradual opening to him where she was able to see him as a man rather than a freak, with all a man's feelings, desires and wants, was poignant and beautiful. And I believe while they were alome in her room, and she had his wedding ring, that they did make special vows to each other. I am reminded of reading many books about the Scottish Highlands which were served by way too few priests, and a man and woman could enter into a handfast marriage, which they could annul after one year if there was not child. I believe that is what Erik and Christine did. So I did not feel terrible about what she did. It was not an act of sex but an act of the deepest love.
I was also, as a Christian, touched by Erik's constant battle of trying to find God and to understand why he had been made the way he had.
I love the way the Phantom was portrayed by Gerard Butler. The idea of a half beautiful, half terribly disfigured face, somehow seemed almost harder to deal with than a totally horrific face like Leroux and Kay's Phantom. I could see how he could have constantly been reminded of what might have been.This is the one which stole my heart and made the Phantom part of my life.
However Kay's book is special in its specialness of the truth of Erik as portrayed by his creator, Leroux. I found it much harder to deal with that ALW's Phantom, although both had me in tears.
My rating of 4 stars was given rather than five, only because I was so sad when I finished the book. With only the final pages of redemption and forgiveness, the rest was hard to deal with. But it is a very special book.

I am putting a PS here for the Phans. I am not a Phan of LND, but for some reason, the song, "Beneath a Moonless Sky" really got to me. I can see it being sung at the end of this book.
BTW, have you all read the letter to Erik from Christine about Charles? If you want, I will post it.

Hmm..if its a song Anne it should go in the "favorite songs" thread...if its just a letter...maybe make a new thread? under the folder "All Things Phantom"..this here Id like to keep for "reviews of books" only.

Anne wrote: "Here it is:

My review

Well, I finally read Susan Kay's "Phantom." Before I wrote my own book, I had read nothing but the original Leroux book as I did not want to be influenced by any other..."

Beautiful review, Anne! I'm still trying to lay my hands on a copy of Phantom myself.

The library should be able to get it for you Gemma?

I got my copy from our library. Mine is not the largest city around, so most large libraries should have it. if not, ask you library about an Interlibrary loan. They are wonderful, and they can cjeck all around for a book. I am in Florida, and have even received books from libraries out of my state. And there is not charge at mine. Yours could be different.

I am currently reading Deception by Shirley Yoshinako. I'm about halfway through it, so I will review it in a complete way when I am finished. So far it is pretty decent.
A couple of things might bother some people, however.
a.) Some of the language seems too modernized for the time-period
b.) The plot does play very loose with social conventions of the day. (Then again, so did the original Leroux book).

Anyway, if you're looking for an alternative to the Erik/Christine pairing, Deception seems like a plausible alternative. Melodie does seem like a good partner for Erik.

Ann...is the spelling right for this author? I tried to find it here on goodreads and it says author not found?

Ooops. Sorry about that. The author is Shirley Yoshinaka. Must have been a typo on my part. :)

Deception: A Phantom of the Opera NovelThis it? Looks good...will check it out and add to our bookshelf! Thanks:)

Yup, that's it. How do I put the cover into the posted message? I couldn't figure out how to do that.

Do you see in the comment box it says "add book/author?" you click on that and a box opens up..type in the name of the book and click search.If you want to show only the book cover as I did there is a "dot" below to click on for "cover" or "link" I did cover first then link..

Thanks Sandi. :-) Hope you enjoy Deception. It was a good read.

Just finished Manifestations of a Phantom's Soul: A Phantom of the Opera Story Collection! Terrific stuff! Review here:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Great review Gemma! These look really good,will have to add to our bookshelf:)

Oh, trust me, Sandi, they're all worth it! I just LOVE her stories!

Thanks I look forward to reading them:)

I have another recommendation to add here. I just finished reading Thoughts of Summertime by Jaime Martell - great book! Lots of E/C romance, plenty of suspense and the plot is a variation of the original but told with unique twists and turns.

Ann wrote: "I have another recommendation to add here. I just finished reading Thoughts of Summertime by Jaime Martell - great book! Lots of E/C romance, plenty of suspense and the plot is a variation of the o..."

This looks like a great twist to Erik & Christine! Thanks Ann I added to my shelf and to the one in the group. If you come across more please share! thanks :)

Hmm...been awhile since anyone posted here. My review for The Opera Ghost Unraveled by Michelle Rodriguez, as posted on my blog:
http://angels-protgeseclecticnonsense...

Thanks Gemma I added to my TBR list!:) And great review:)