I have never been a big fan of Phantom. I have seen the movie, but this was the first time I have read the book.

I can see why it's a classic, but I had a hard time deciding how I feel about it. It's a true melodrama, and while I enjoy some melodrama now and then, Phantom is too serious to be taken seriously.

I did enjoy the childhood story of friendship between Raoul and Christine. I thought that was sweet and a bit romantic. I also loved Christine's father, and his role in her love of music.

Erik is definitely a deeply tragic character, a tortured genius, it seems. But, there could be so much more to him. There is very little nuance to Erik. He's practically a caricature. A vivid one, to be sure, but there's virtually no depth. 

Still, it's a compelling story that builds suspense and has a high stakes climax that keeps you guessing until everything wraps up. (Yes, I have seen the movie, but that was years ago and I didn't remember anything.) 

If you're a fan of plot-driven books, high drama, and romance, you're probably going to love it! There's a reason it became so popular. It's just not really my thing. And yet, I liked it.