Phantom of the Opera...happy ending???

[amutha]

Hey, I just picked up a copy of 'Phantom of the Opera '. Before I start to read it, I want to know if it has a happy ending. Have u guys tired this book?

[GlencoraPalliser]

You want a spoiler? The original novel by Gaston Leroux...um...guess how you define "happy ending." Not in the traditional sense. The musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber is very faithful in terms of the major plot points (so if you know the musical or have seen the movie) you pretty much know where it is going. I guess I would say it has a...bittersweet ending. (I can be more specific details, but hate to spoil it any more...)

There are two re-tellings of the novel, that I can think of, one called NIGHT MAGIC by Charlotte Vale Allen (I think) and another called simply PHANTOM by Susan Kay.
_________________
There is one thing worse than a loveless marriage. A marriage in which there is love, but on one side only.
(Sir Robert Chiltern, Oscar Wilde, An Ideal Husband)

[GlencoraPalliser]

I really hate spoling books, but since you are not in the mood for sad book, I will oblige. I honestly think it depends on who you are rooting for. If you want Christine to end up with Raoul, then it is a happy ending. If you want Christine to end up with Phantom (Erik), then the ending is bittersweet (she sort of does, but not permanently). I do not know anyone that roots for Raoul...and I would definitely recommend Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical--it is gorgeous score.
_________________
There is one thing worse than a loveless marriage. A marriage in which there is love, but on one side only.
(Sir Robert Chiltern, Oscar Wilde, An Ideal Husband)

[dancewriter]

If you love this book, you'll want to pick up PHANTOM by Susan Kay. Marvelous. A keeper. Rich and unforgettable. I've searched the internet for her, but she's nowhere to be found. Looks like she only wrote two books: Legacy and Phantom. Too bad, cause she's good.

And, no, she's not the Susay Kay who's writing romance nowadays.
_________________
NOON-"Poignant. Romantic. Truly Lovely."-Romance Designs
DANCING WITH HIS HEART-"I loved it!" Ashly Delgrosso of Dancing With the Stars

Where passion goes beyond the dance
http://www.ballroomdancenovels.com/
http://www.katherinewarwick.com/

[T.P.]

I'll warn you that you'll have to pay a high price for Phantom by Susan Kay if you try on ebay. I think it was recently reissued, but I still failed to get a copy of it through special order. I keep waiting for the demand to come down, but I don't think it will.

The recent movie is way better than the book. The ending is bittersweet, but I still love to watch it over and over and over again. I saw it 15 times in the theatre. I'm totally addicted. Gerard Butler is awesome as the Phantom!!!

[Stacy]

Even if the ending is not what you want, this is not a book to miss. I am speaking as a diehard fan of Gaston Leroux's original novel, so I'm sure you'll get lots of different opinions, but to me no other version can compare to it. Leroux's Erik is an incomparable character. The Susan Kay novel, Phantom, is a pleasant variation of the original story and if you're looking for a more traditional type of romance, you'd probably enjoy that one.

[amutha]

Hey guys! Thank you very much for ur replies. I picked up a copy of Phantom by Susan Kay from the library. I plan to read it first then the Phantom of opera. Thanks again.

[GlencoraPalliser]

Hope you enjoy both--and I think we are all hoping you will take the time to listen/watch the musical too!
_________________
There is one thing worse than a loveless marriage. A marriage in which there is love, but on one side only.
(Sir Robert Chiltern, Oscar Wilde, An Ideal Husband)

[froggykm]

I think my favorite movie version was a 90s miniseries put out with Charles Dance. THat is one of my favorite versions of Phantom of the Opera
_________________
My reading journal at http://the-reading-spot.blogspot.com

Laugh everyday--it's like inner jogging.