Review : The Phantom of The Opera by Gaston Leroux

Author : Gaston Leroux
Format : Paperback (376 pages)
Publisher : Gramedia Pustaka Utama (April 2011)
Language : Indonesian
ISBN-13 : 978-9792269512


Goodreads description :
Erik, sang hantu Opera, meneror Opera Paris dengan ancaman pemerasan selama bertahun-tahun. Sosok jenius yang tersiksa dalam keburukrupaannya ini jatuh cinta pada Christine, penyanyi opera yang cantik dan bersuara emas. Kehadiran Raoul, sang viscount yang tampan, membuat Erik sadar bahwa Christine takkan pernah membalas cintanya dan membuat cinta Erik berubah menjadi obsesi yang mematikan.

The Phantom of the Opera adalah novel legendaris dalam sastra gotik dunia sepanjang abad ke-20. Kisah cinta segitiga antara Erik, Christine, dan Raoul sudah diadaptasi ke dalam berbagai bentuk seni teater dan seni visual. Namun karya aslinya yang pertama kali terbit dalam bentuk novel pada tahun 1910 ini jauh lebih gelap dan kompleks dibanding yang ditampilkan dalam film maupun teater musikalnya.

Seratus tahun lebih sejak pertama kali terbit, The Phantom of The Opera yang ber-setting di salah satu gedung termegah dan terindah di Paris ini masih menggugah hati pembacanya dalam kisah yang menyayat hati tentang hasrat manusia, teror, dan cinta.


My Thoughts :
Even if the book is written a long time ago, but the book is really good. The story is about Erik, a phantom who haunted Paris Opera House, who fell in love with Christine Daaé, an Opera singer. The thing get more complicated when Raoul, Christine's childhood friend, appeared in Christine's Life after being apart for a while. Raoul and Christine fell in love with each other, but Erik did everything to make Christine to love him. Erik's love turned into obsession and Raoul tried his hardest to save Christine from Erik. The end of this story made me cry.

I like the characters in this story. Erik is the most intriguing character. He is extremely genius and ugly. Most of people took advantage of him and despise him, it made him felt lonely and unwanted. It was one of the reasons why he did all the terror in the Opera. Beneath it all, I think Erik had something good in him. He just wanted to be loved. So when Christine appeared with her naivety and sincerity, Erik would do everything for her because for the first time he felt that someone love him for who he is.

Overall, The book is worth to read. I love the story and would recommend anyone to read it.

I give The Phantom of the Opera 4 out of 5 stars