The Phantom of the Opera (Unabridged)

Gaston Leroux's phenomenal novel, which inspired the hit Broadway musical, remains one of the most original suspense stories ever written. Erik, a brilliant but hideously disfigured musical genius, lives in the basement of Paris's National Academy of Music, where he haunts the opera crowd in his mask and fancy clothes. The Phantom falls in love with Christine Daaé, a beautiful soprano, and gives her music lessons by magically throwing his voice. But Erik is stunned to learn that Christine loves Raoul, the Vicomte de Chagny, who disappears around the same time his brother, Count Phillippe, is found dead outside the Academy. A haunting tale of obsession, a touching story about internal beauty, and a top-notch detective drama, The Phantom of the Opera is a remarkable novel.