Buddy Reading: The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux

Great, we're all set then. I actually read the first 4 chapters due to some misunderstandings, but I'll try not to read ahead. Will you be opening up a new thread, or use this one for all the discussions?

Nolofinwe wrote:

Great, we're all set then. I actually read the first 4 chapters due to some misunderstandings, but I'll try not to read ahead. Will you be opening up a new thread, or use this one for all the discussions?

Hmm... Didn't think about that. I think that this technically counts as the discussion thread since that's what I intended it to be (with the pre-reading discussion). We'll just meet here on each of our Mondays, discuss the first two chapters, come back on each of our Tuesdays, and do the same for chapters three and four, and so on.

Just one day more! *hums the Les Miz song*

Magda wrote:

Just one day more! *hums the Les Miz song*

I knew you'd be excited to finally talk some Phantom with us! I owe you for introducing me to the book in the first place. Thanks so much.

Tourterelle wrote:

Solveig wrote:

I'm done with the prologue and chapters 1-4. I find it quite easy to read, although there are long parts in which Leroux tells us nothing new, and that can be easily skimmed. But now that the phantom actually starts to act, it's becoming more entertaining.

I have the feeling that Christine is indeed a damsel in distress, but I'm even more confused with Richard and Moncharmin. They appear so interchangeable to me! And I haven't quite figured out the two Chagnys: As far as I know, Philippe is the Count - and Raoul is in love with Christine. But somehow it says that Philippe is in love with her, too? Or am I dense again?

I don't think it seemed like Philippe was in love with Christine; actually, I think Philippe was entertained/amused by his younger brother lusting after Christine.

Well, I think it said something like, "If he hadn't already been seeing this other opera star, he's been chasing Christine as well" or something. He probably thought she was hot, like all the rest.

Mmmk, well it's Monday! It doesn't seem like much discussion for chapters one and two has gone on, but that's okay, I'll start.
I read chapters one and two last night. Not much has happened so far. At this point, I think that Raul is a bit of a sissy; he'd better man up a little bit. I don't know too much about Christine yet. The Phantom, I've not developed an opinion on yet. I like the Comte pretty well; he seems friendly. The dancing-girls are ditzy, and Sorelli is good for putting up with them.
Plot-wise, not a whole, whole lot as occurred. I'm assuming that Raul already loved Christine from childhood and this is a magical reunion or something. I'm also going to assume that it was the Phantom who taught Christine to sing and it was him who was in her dressing-room after the show.

Kelsey wrote:

Mmmk, well it's Monday! It doesn't seem like much discussion for chapters one and two has gone on, but that's okay, I'll start.
I read chapters one and two last night. Not much has happened so far. At this point, I think that Raul is a bit of a sissy; he'd better man up a little bit. I don't know too much about Christine yet. The Phantom, I've not developed an opinion on yet. I like the Comte pretty well; he seems friendly. The dancing-girls are ditzy, and Sorelli is good for putting up with them.
Plot-wise, not a whole, whole lot as occurred. I'm assuming that Raul already loved Christine from childhood and this is a magical reunion or something. I'm also going to assume that it was the Phantom who taught Christine to sing and it was him who was in her dressing-room after the show.

Raoul is a sissy.

Have you no opinions on Joseph Buquet?

Jane wrote:

Kelsey wrote:

Mmmk, well it's Monday! It doesn't seem like much discussion for chapters one and two has gone on, but that's okay, I'll start.
I read chapters one and two last night. Not much has happened so far. At this point, I think that Raul is a bit of a sissy; he'd better man up a little bit. I don't know too much about Christine yet. The Phantom, I've not developed an opinion on yet. I like the Comte pretty well; he seems friendly. The dancing-girls are ditzy, and Sorelli is good for putting up with them.
Plot-wise, not a whole, whole lot as occurred. I'm assuming that Raul already loved Christine from childhood and this is a magical reunion or something. I'm also going to assume that it was the Phantom who taught Christine to sing and it was him who was in her dressing-room after the show.

Raoul is a sissy.

Have you no opinions on Joseph Buquet?

Other than the fact that he's dead and I pity him for it? No.

I also think it was the phantom that was in the dressing room with Christine. I kind of wish we got to hear more of their conversation.

BeautyBlitz wrote:

I also think it was the phantom that was in the dressing room with Christine. I kind of wish we got to hear more of their conversation.

I wish Raoul had had the courage to walk into the room before Christine left.

The dancing girls are airheads, ready to believe any rumor they hear about the Phantom.

I also agree Raoul seems like a wuss so far; I thought it was funny how amused his brother was by him lusting after Christine, too. Seems like a level-headed guy, although he must be considering he's in his 40s.

Anyone have a random guess as to the Phantom's age? I've been wondering for awhile.

Tourterelle wrote:

The dancing girls are airheads, ready to believe any rumor they hear about the Phantom.

I also agree Raoul seems like a wuss so far; I thought it was funny how amused his brother was by him lusting after Christine, too. Seems like a level-headed guy, although he must be considering he's in his 40s.

Anyone have a random guess as to the Phantom's age? I've been wondering for awhile.

He's been around a fairly long time. I would say more, but it would spoil the book.

Jane wrote:

Tourterelle wrote:

The dancing girls are airheads, ready to believe any rumor they hear about the Phantom.

I also agree Raoul seems like a wuss so far; I thought it was funny how amused his brother was by him lusting after Christine, too. Seems like a level-headed guy, although he must be considering he's in his 40s.

Anyone have a random guess as to the Phantom's age? I've been wondering for awhile.

He's been around a fairly long time. I would say more, but it would spoil the book.

Is he supernatural?

If he's not, I was going to wager a guess at 35-45 years old.

Tourterelle wrote:

The dancing girls are airheads, ready to believe any rumor they hear about the Phantom.

I also agree Raoul seems like a wuss so far; I thought it was funny how amused his brother was by him lusting after Christine, too. Seems like a level-headed guy, although he must be considering he's in his 40s.

Anyone have a random guess as to the Phantom's age? I've been wondering for awhile.

Bad internet connection today, so I'll try and post as many of my thoughts in one thread as possible.

1) Not only is Raoul a sissy, but he's also ridiculously young.
2) On the other hand, from the hints I've gathered so far, the Phantom seems to be too old.
3) I don't like Sorelli. Too much of a diva for my taste. Especially because she puts up with the airheaded ballet girls - I know she's not supposed to be a heroine, but if a herd of crazy girls rushed into MY room before an important speech, I'd have thrown them out point blank.
4) In my humble opinion, Mr Leroux seems to have trouble getting his plot on the way. I like his descriptions of the characters, they are really easy to analyse, but he's taking his time to get to the juicy details. I miss a hook, so to speak.

@Nicholle: As far as I can see, the Phantom is not supernatural, at least not in the direct sense of the word.

Solveig, I thought the same about the hook. Frankenstein was the same way for me, but it picked up later. Phantom will too, I'll bet, or it wouldn't have so many fans.

The number of deaths are starting to grow and the opera is about to get some new owners, so it definitely will.

Solveig wrote:

Tourterelle wrote:

The dancing girls are airheads, ready to believe any rumor they hear about the Phantom.

I also agree Raoul seems like a wuss so far; I thought it was funny how amused his brother was by him lusting after Christine, too. Seems like a level-headed guy, although he must be considering he's in his 40s.

Anyone have a random guess as to the Phantom's age? I've been wondering for awhile.

Bad internet connection today, so I'll try and post as many of my thoughts in one thread as possible.

1) Not only is Raoul a sissy, but he's also ridiculously young.
2) On the other hand, from the hints I've gathered so far, the Phantom seems to be too old.
3) I don't like Sorelli. Too much of a diva for my taste. Especially because she puts up with the airheaded ballet girls - I know she's not supposed to be a heroine, but if a herd of crazy girls rushed into MY room before an important speech, I'd have thrown them out point blank.
4) In my humble opinion, Mr Leroux seems to have trouble getting his plot on the way. I like his descriptions of the characters, they are really easy to analyse, but he's taking his time to get to the juicy details. I miss a hook, so to speak.

@Nicholle: As far as I can see, the Phantom is not supernatural, at least not in the direct sense of the word.

I hope you like it as it goes on. I did, but it might not be the same for everyone. The ending is the best part for me, though.

By the way, was La Sorelli in the 2004 film?

Tourterelle wrote:

By the way, was La Sorelli in the 2004 film?

Sort of, only she went by the name of La Carlotta.

Jane wrote:

Solveig wrote:

Tourterelle wrote:

The dancing girls are airheads, ready to believe any rumor they hear about the Phantom.

I also agree Raoul seems like a wuss so far; I thought it was funny how amused his brother was by him lusting after Christine, too. Seems like a level-headed guy, although he must be considering he's in his 40s.

Anyone have a random guess as to the Phantom's age? I've been wondering for awhile.

Bad internet connection today, so I'll try and post as many of my thoughts in one thread as possible.

1) Not only is Raoul a sissy, but he's also ridiculously young.
2) On the other hand, from the hints I've gathered so far, the Phantom seems to be too old.
3) I don't like Sorelli. Too much of a diva for my taste. Especially because she puts up with the airheaded ballet girls - I know she's not supposed to be a heroine, but if a herd of crazy girls rushed into MY room before an important speech, I'd have thrown them out point blank.
4) In my humble opinion, Mr Leroux seems to have trouble getting his plot on the way. I like his descriptions of the characters, they are really easy to analyse, but he's taking his time to get to the juicy details. I miss a hook, so to speak.

@Nicholle: As far as I can see, the Phantom is not supernatural, at least not in the direct sense of the word.

I hope you like it as it goes on. I did, but it might not be the same for everyone. The ending is the best part for me, though.

I do like it! I've cheated and read on, so I'm already in a chapter in which the plot does pick on

Jane wrote:

Tourterelle wrote:

By the way, was La Sorelli in the 2004 film?

Sort of, only she went by the name of La Carlotta.

That's why I was confused, then. I thought La Sorelli sounded like the character La Carlotta.

Why the name change?

Tourterelle wrote:

Jane wrote:

Tourterelle wrote:

By the way, was La Sorelli in the 2004 film?

Sort of, only she went by the name of La Carlotta.

That's why I was confused, then. I thought La Sorelli sounded like the character La Carlotta.

Why the name change?

Sorelli is a last name. Carlotta Sorelli is the full name.

Jane wrote:

Tourterelle wrote:

Jane wrote:

Tourterelle wrote:

By the way, was La Sorelli in the 2004 film?

Sort of, only she went by the name of La Carlotta.

That's why I was confused, then. I thought La Sorelli sounded like the character La Carlotta.

Why the name change?

Sorelli is a last name. Carlotta Sorelli is the full name.

Oh, duh.

Tourterelle wrote:

Jane wrote:

Tourterelle wrote:

Jane wrote:

Tourterelle wrote:

By the way, was La Sorelli in the 2004 film?

Sort of, only she went by the name of La Carlotta.

That's why I was confused, then. I thought La Sorelli sounded like the character La Carlotta.

Why the name change?

Sorelli is a last name. Carlotta Sorelli is the full name.

Oh, duh.

Don't feel bad; I missed that too. I just assumed they were two different people.
I thought it interesting that the 2004 (and the entire musical, I assume) meshed Madame Giry and the Persian. I already knew the book did that (I read up to chapter five or so a few months ago, but couldn't read it so much online, so I put it aside till I go a copy), but I still think it's interesting.

That's another one I was wondering about, actually. I couldn't remember hearing about the Persian in the film.

Tourterelle wrote:

That's another one I was wondering about, actually. I couldn't remember hearing about the Persian in the film.

We stupid movies-watchers can't keep up with more than a few characters. Directors do that all the time.