The Phantom of the Opera

The original story behind the famous musical is a haunting thriller with a romantic heart. In 1880s Paris, the Palais Garnier Opera House is haunted by the Phantom, a disfigured musical genius named Erik. He mentors young soprano Christine Daaé, whom he loves obsessively. Christine’s childhood friend Raoul rekindles his affection for her, sparking Erik’s jealousy. Erik demands Christine star in Faust and sabotages the opera when ignored, causing chaos. He abducts Christine to his lair, revealing his deformed face. Though horrified, she shows him compassion but Erik overhears Christine and Raoul plan to escape together, fueling his rage. During a performance, Erik abducts Christine again and threatens to destroy the opera house unless she marries him. Raoul and the Persian, an opera house regular, attempt a rescue but are captured. Christine agrees to Erik’s demands to save them. Touched by her kindness, Erik frees them all, confessing he has never known love. He makes Christine promise to return his ring after his death. Heartbroken, Erik dies soon after, and Christine fulfils his wish, burying him in secrecy. She and Raoul elope, leaving the dark events of the Opera house behind them. Little treasures, the FLAME TREE COLLECTABLE CLASSICS are chosen to create a delightful and timeless home library. Each stunning, gift edition features deluxe cover treatments, ribbon markers, luxury endpapers and gilded edges. The unabridged text is accompanied by a Glossary of Victorian and Literary terms produced for the modern reader.

Gaston Leroux (1868–1927) was a reporter and author of detective fiction, considered the French equivalent of Sherlock Holmes and Edgar Allan Poe for his locked-room novel The Mystery of the Yellow Room. He is, however, most famous for his Gothic novel that went on to become a highly successful film and musical, The Phantom of the Opera. Dr. Emma Bielecki (Introduction) is a Senior Lecturer in Nineteenth-Century French Studies at King’s College London. She researches the relationship between literature and other forms of cultural expression, including silent film, fashion and stage magic. She has published articles and essays on popular fiction, including a series on the French pulp heroes of the early twentieth century. This featured two of Gaston Leroux’s other legendary creations: escaped convict-turned-crime buster, Chéri-Bibi, and roving reporter and superdetective, Joseph Rouletabille. Her writing has appeared in the The Junket and The Conversation. Judith John (Glossary) is a writer and editor specializing in literature and history. She has worked as an editor on major educational projects, including English A: Literature for the Pearson International Baccalaureate series. Judith’s major research interests include Romantic and Gothic literature, and Renaissance drama.