Phantom: the most tragic love story of all time!

Hi! Well, I'm a freshman in highschool and a completely obsessed Phantom of the Opera phan! I first saw the musical when I was in 6th grade on a field trip. I remember thinking "Oh gosh... this is going to be SO boring... I should have brought a book or something.." However, from the moment the chandelier rose to the moment when the curtain fell, I was spellbound! It was possibly the best thing I had ever seen in my entire life. I remember feeling so bad for Erik, the Phantom. Well, afterwards, I bought the book by Gaston Leroux in the gift shop. The second I opened that book, I could not put it down! I read it before school... during school (hehe)... and after school. When I finished, I actually ended up reading it a second time. ^_^ Erik is filled with so much misery, sorrow, and rejection. Throughout the entire story, I felt my heart reach out to him - especially in the chapter, "Apollo's Lyre" where Christine expressed her fear of him, while unbeknownst to her, poor Erik was listening. The fact that he let her go, as a result of his undying love for her, was just so heartbreaking! The one woman he ever loved... Since then, I have read the original book 6 times, I have read 11 other phantom-related books (Susan Kay's being the best, after Leroux's of course), and I have seen the musical three times (it rarely comes to FL) but I am seeing it again this summer in NYC (finally!) and once again in December when it returns to Florida! I would most DEFINITELY reccommend this book to anyone who's willing to read it, and then they need to see the musical and read Susan Kay's 'Phantom'!

Yes, I also like the book. My copy of the book has some background info. on Erik, Christine, the Persian, etc. I find it amazing that this wonderfully written novel is actually based on a true story. Erik really existed. And, I believe that Erik had, deep down, a genuine loveable caring sould.

You got to go on a feild trip to the one and only PTO?!! Do you go to some dream school were your dreams come true because if so I'm moving there the feild trips I went to were lame we saw glass being blown not the best musical in the world.

p.s.-The book is my life (not literally)!

I agree with you i loved the book and the film i thought it was magical
i could not put it down i feel for Erik and all most started to cry for him

Erica Hi! I am phantomina Well just wanted to ask you which other books from susan key you´ve read for I just finished her " The Phantom" and was clear about that his book was the most immotinal book i´ve ever read. I too love the phantome. Would you please give me the names of those phantome-related ones? Isn´t it heartbreaking that he really excisted? But do you have any prove of him having been living? I mean there are no real pics or no family tree, or nobody stemming from Christine and Raol. Well mail back if you want.
PS: I am from Germany and ´ve seen the musical also.

ah yes, it's the most seen musical in the world! actually since you are in europe you'd have easier access to those of us stuck stateside for research. the paris opera archives are a good place to start.

I saw the Phantom in New York several years ago...it was mezmerising...the music so beautiful! Such beauty. Saw it again in Nashville, Tennessee a few years ago...just as great. Could not wait to see the expressions on the people's faces who attended it with me as the chandelier left the stage and traveled over the audience. daaadundundaaaa

ONE of the most tragic love story of all time. TITANIC is one also.

I really liked that book, but I still prefered the musical. Because they were actually singing in the musical, i loved their voices, every single one of them, especially Christine's.

i wish they had kept the Persian in the film...I feel he was an important character and shouldn't have been left out...

Phantom is my hero! Christine was a fool for choosing Raoul!!

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Originally Posted by Anza

Phantom is my hero! Christine was a fool for choosing Raoul!!

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May I respectfully disagree, Anza?

Don't get me wrong, I am an Erik phan to the core. But think about it. Why did Christine choose Erik? To save Raoul. She may have loved him as a friend, but not as a prospective husband. He masqueraded as her father's 'angel' for months (or years, depending on which version), which, honestly speaking, would be quite odd if an 'angel' came out and said, 'I'm really a man, marry me or watch your lover-boy die'.

Another point: I believe that Christine was afraid of Erik, and for a good reason. At some point he finally realized that she feared him, realized that all the force in the world would probably not change her view, and let her go. Christine was also rather weak-willed: she let Raoul and Erik yank her around every-which-way without standing up for what _she_ wanted.

And my final reason: If Erik lived happily ever after, who would we phans have to pursue? :D

I totally agree with you, Bramblefox! It would devastate all of us Erik fangirls if he lived happily ever after. I've seen the musical once (Can't wait to go again.) Seen the movie several times, and read the original novel 6 or 7 times. I haven't beenable to get Susan Kay's "Phantom." I would love to read it.
P.G.7.