Phantom of the Opera

The Phantom of the Opera

A Gothic Originals Edition

Beneath the glittering chandeliers of the Paris Opera House lurks a genius, a madman, a murderer — and, some say, a ghost. Gaston Leroux's The Phantom of the Opera is the story that gave the world Erik, the disfigured musical genius who haunts the labyrinth beneath the Palais Garnier and falls obsessively in love with the young soprano Christine Daaé. Part gothic horror, part tragic romance, part detective mystery, this 1910 classic has inspired over a century of stage productions, films, and adaptations — but nothing compares to reading Leroux's original in full.

This Gothic Originals edition presents the complete Alexander Teixeira de Mattos translation, carefully modernized for today's readers while preserving the atmosphere, suspense, and emotional power of the original text — the labyrinthine passages beneath the Opera, the masked ball, the collapsing chandelier, and Erik's tortured, terrifying pursuit of love.

This edition includes a full scholarly apparatus:

• About the Author — the life of Gaston Leroux, from crime journalist to master of gothic fiction
• Time and Place — an in-depth historical essay on Belle Époque Paris, the real Palais Garnier, and the true stories that inspired the novel
• Phantom and the Culture — tracing the Phantom's afterlife across a century of film, stage, and music
• Glossary — key terms, places, and references explained
• A Guide for the College Classroom — discussion and essay questions for academic use
• Book Club Discussion Guide — questions designed for reading groups

Whether you're discovering the Phantom for the first time or returning to the original story behind the legend, this edition is built for readers who want more than just the text — they want the world behind it.

Perfect for: fans of gothic literature, opera and theater history, classic horror-romance, and anyone who loves the countless adaptations and wants to finally read where it all began.