This is an auction for THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA by Gaston Leroux.

Amazon.com review:

"Before the Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, there was Gaston Leroux's original novel "The Phantom of the Opera". I have never seen the production stage, and I knew only a few things of the story, so when I reached the middle of the narrative I was surprised because it is totally different from what I expected. And it was a great surprise. More than a love story, "The Phantom of the Opera" is a gothic tale of obsession - leading to madness. The Paris Opera House and its hidden rooms, and underground are perfect place to develop a horror story. Leroux noticed this potential. His descriptions of the place are creepy and in the end we start wondering if it is not a true story indeed. Leroux was very smart, writing a novel like he was only reporting something - and not creating a work of fiction. Therefore there are police reports, newspapers' scraps, witness interviews. More than a narrator, the person who is telling the story is only gathering useful information for the reader. His characters are real human beings - even the ghost', than throughout the narrative we realize that he is the one with most human characteristics. Sometimes, Christine is a little stereotypical, mostly when she says she wants to be the mistress of her faith' or something like it. And so is Raoul - but that doesn't diminish the qualities of this engaging novel. All in all, this is a French classic that I highly recommend."

More very favourable reviews on Amazon.com.

Large format hardback 1988.

245 pages + six full colour plates.

Very good condition.

The cost of shipping is $4.95, or $6.95 by tracked mail. If you are on rural delivery and want tracked mail, the shipping cost will be $9.95.

There is of course no charge for shipping if you collect this book from my shop in Palmerston North following the auction.

Payment within seven days, please.