I was in Barnes & noble, and I saw the novel of The Phantom of the Opera, so I picked it up, I was wondering what section is this, and I looked up at the tag, it says "Horror"...My goodness~~
I was in Barnes & noble, and I saw the novel of The Phantom of the Opera, so I picked it up, I was wondering what section is this, and I looked up at the tag, it says "Horror"...My goodness~~
It is horror. What's not to believe? It's a ghost story that easily expresses the feelings of horror and almost helplessness a girl feels as a result of the ghost.
So what if it sounds better to say it's a love story? It really isn't. He obesses about her, stalks her, almost kills her lover, hurts her, leads her to attempt suicide, and threatens to kill her and the rest of the opera if she doesn't marry him.
I can see why she wasn't just leaping into bed with him.
And every time I wonder where the world went wrong,
End up lying on my face going ringy dingy ding dong
And every time I wonder if the world is right,
End up in some disco dancin all night & day.
I want to say it's a gothic novel, gothic fiction, something like that. "Horror" only gets at one aspect. It's limiting.
Did you try reading the book from different characters' perspectives? When I first read it from Raoul's point of view, man oh man, did I see something new. Gave the other approaches a whole new weight.
Like previous posts have stated, The Phantom of the Opera was not written to be a pure romance. It was a horror novel. It's a marvelous book, though.
Andrew Lloyd Webber simply pumped out the romance, and that is why it is so successful with the public today.
Oh, Christine. If only you could weep for me like that.
I did weep for you...once.
Out of pity, Christine. Not love. Still, it is only a question of time. In time you will grow to love me. I know it.
i read The Phantom of the Opera, and I have to say that Leroux is a master-mind horror story teller. The version we have all come to know and love is SO OVERLY romanticized, its almost shocking when you read the novel. The novel is dark, mysterious, and you do not feel one ounce of pity for Erik (at least I didn't). It's wonderful. I suggest you also read "The Phoenix of the Opera" by Sadie Montgomery. A fabulous sequel. Believable beyond imagine.
I would not consider Phantom of the Opera a "wet-yourself" horror story, but it has descriptions that run a chill down your spine, like Erik's face. It is more a romance story in my view, but I love it no matter what it is.
"You're my soul come scavenging for me, I can feel it," said the Witch. "I won't have it, I won't have it. I won't have a soul; with a soul there is everlastingness, and life has tortured me enough."-Elphaba to Dorothy in Gregory Maguire's Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
Some of ALW's crew said that they brought out the gothic romance because Leroux was all over the place with mystery, horror, a bit of sadistic humor, and the underlying hint of romance. Besides, sex sells in today's world.
Sadly... *sigh*
Oh, Christine. If only you could weep for me like that.
I did weep for you...once.
Out of pity, Christine. Not love. Still, it is only a question of time. In time you will grow to love me. I know it.
Yes, the original novel is DEFINETLY a horror story! The part where she talks about Erik making her try to tear off his face really freaked me out! ALW just romanticized it.
P.G.7.
Totally Obsessed Phantom Phan!
I am also a fan of: Lion King, High School Musical, Harry Potter, Disney in general, Days of Our Lives, Musicals in general, Dr. Seuss and Grinch!
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