Phantom: Written by Susan Kay, 2006 Edition, Publisher: Aeon Publishing Inc. [Paperback] Paperback – 30 Mar. 2006

A gripping story of rejection, the discovery of self awareness, survival, discovery, and fulfillment. Laced with disappointment and tragedy, Eric is forced to become secretive, defensive, guarded and even murderous. Yet he has a passion for beauty, music, architecture and the finer things in life.He quickly learns that the worldly thing's he craves will always be denied him and he will only ever enjoy his loves privately and secretly.........A gripping read with twists and turns which makes the reader consider Eric from a different perspective. It should also leave the reader questioning 'what would I have done?' 'How would I have reacted? ' and even how would I treat another human being who just happened to look different...........

Ever since I saw the 2004 movie of the musical "The Phantom of the Opera", I've been a massive fan, particularly of the Phantom (like a lot of people, I would have chosen the Phantom over Raoul if I were Christine), so when I found out that there was a book which told his life story, I had to have it.It starts on the night Erik (the Phantom) is born, and the first few chapters, which are narrated by his mother Madeleine, tell the reader what his early life, up till he's about 9, is like, and how much his mother hated him because of his deformity (in this story, like the original Gaston Leroux novel and 1925 silent movie, Erik's entire face is deformed, not just half of it like in the musical). I could not help but hate Madeleine, as she was always saying how much Erik's deformity affected her i.e. she says that she could not show her face in public again, because everyone in the village where they live knows about Erik. Also, she rarely, if ever, praises Erik when he starts showing a talent and passion for both architecture and music. I know that I would always praise any talent that my child displays.The rest of the book is narrated by Erik (aged 9-12), Giovanni (Erik's teacher)(12-15), Nadir (the Persian) (18-40), Erik (40-50), Christine and Raoul. I can't say too much about these parts without ruining the story (except for the part with Christine - everyone who has read the 1911 Gaston Leroux novel/ seen any of the numerous movie adaptations/seen the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical will know what happens in this part of the book).

A wonderful mysterious book with many facets. The theme is 'Who was the Phantom of the Opera?' and the question is answered in spades. He was a baby born with a severely disfigured face at birth who was named Erik. His mother rejected him at first sight and covers his face with a mask, too horrified to even look at him.. The story progresses delving into his tragic childhood in France with vivid and well drawn stories of the culture which surrounded his family and his virtual imprisonment in his mother's house. However as he grows he demonstrates many skills; scientific and magical which will enable him to escape his prison like existence and prompt him to run away from home and his mother's hurtful rejection. From a life with crude and cruel gypsies to Persian palaces his journeys lead him to become eventually rich and renowned but he can never display his physical appearance without suffering instinctive repulsion from those who see him so he wears a mask constantly. All these stories of his travails through ages and religions and cultures unknown to me are excitingly depicted by the author. Erik's life unfolds with a 'dark and sensual love story' at the Paris Opera House and forms the final part of this intriguing book. A fascinating read from many perspectives and which I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend.

This book is amazing it goes everywhere the orginal book only hints at. It's an emotional rollercoaster of a book in so many ways some happy some sad some crazy, whether your a Phantom of the Opera fan or not you will enjoy this book, it doesn't hover just on the Christine part of Eriks (Phantom) life but from birth to death in great detail. You can see the personality of the Phantom you know from the Andrew Lloyd Webber version but alot more of it, hes a genius, moody, independent and loving man. Even though the original is truely amazing and a classic I believe if Gaston Leroux read this he would think wow this is what I should have wrote!

I read this book a few years a go in paper back,a moving account of the phantom and from where he came from right up to,the Paris opera house and his encounter with Christine , l loved this book when I was done, I can also see why people believe sir Andrew Lloyd Webber got his so called inspiration from ,for love never dies but it gives you an historical view of what life might have been like all, them many years ago and fleshes out the individuals as to what kind of life's Thay would have lead up to there meeting as the Paris opera house