I bought this book on 6/25 at St. Peter's Church (in Antioch, IL) rummage sale for 75 cents.

c. 1987 -- 264 pages -- Paperback -- Signet Classics -- Introduction by Max Byrd

Back Cover: Filled with the color and theatrical spectacle of the Paris Opera House in the 19th century, and the ageless fascination of love transformed into murderous obsession, this classic work of mystery and suspense remains a riveting journey into the dark regions of the human heart. The tale begins as an investigation into the strange stories of an "opera ghost," legendary for making the performers at this great Paris art emporium apprehensive when they sit alone in their dressing rooms or walk alone in the building's labyrinthine corridors. Some even think they've seen the ghost in evening clothes moving in the shadows. But it isn't until the triumphant performance of sensual Christine Daae -- and her startling disappearance -- that a sense of dread begins to pervade the dim backstage areas and subterranean passages of the glorious opera house. In an ever-increasing pattern of fear and violence, the Phantom of the Opera begins to strike, but always with the beautiful young singer at the center of his macabre desires. A story that has captured the imagination of audiences in adaptations throughout the century, Phantom continues to thrill audiences to this day as an unparalleled work of sheer entertainment.

AUTHOR: Gaston Leroux
TITLE: The Phantom of the Opera
DATE READ: 8/31/21
TIME/PLACE: 10:18am in Library in new house (Antioch, IL)
RATING: 7/10
FIRST SENTENCE: The Opera ghost really existed. / It was the evening on which MM. Debienne and Poligny, the managers of the Opera, were giving a last gala performance to mark their retirement.
GENRE: Horror, Gothic, Novel
PUB DATE/PUBLISHER: 1/1/1910 Signet Classic
TYPE: Paperback
# OF PAGES: 280 pages
SERIES/STAND-ALONE: Stand-alone
CHALLENGE: Decade Challenge 1910s
LIST READ: Classics; GoodReads Best Books Ever; 1000 Books You May Have Actually Read; book/movie combo
CHARACTERS: Erik (Opera Ghost), Christine Daae, Raoul de Chagny
LOCATION: Paris & Bretagne France
COMMENTS: Although this has many similarities to Beauty and the Beast (and maybe even Hunchback of Notre Dame) I was glad to see how strongly Raoul pursued Christine. I found the torture chamber fascinating, yet deadly. Of course, I was picturing Medieval torture, whereas this was quite imaginative of Erik. I've wanted to read this Classic for so long and it triumphantly does not disappoint.

This book is now available at Sunset Little Free Library. Hoping it doesn't haunt the other books.

UPDATE 4/11/22 - REMOVED after 8 months.

Left book in exchange for another book.