Product Description

Under the Paris Opera House lives a disfigured musical genius who uses music to win the love of a beautiful opera singer. The characters are portrayed as cats.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1591553 in Books
• Published on: 2001-04
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 119 pages

From School Library Journal
Gr 2-5-This retelling has a feline cast that serves as an elegant introduction to Gaston Leroux's timeless romance and the extremely popular musical it inspired. The story of the talented ingenue, Christine; her lover, Raoul; and the tormented phantom is told in four acts. Economical, graceful prose relates the tale in an abbreviated yet coherent fashion. A flowing narrative style authentically re-creates the drama, mystery, and magic surrounding the Byzantine Paris Opera House and those who walk its corridors. Illustrations executed in a dark, lush palette with a strong sense of line are reminiscent of certain famous New Yorker cartoons in their sophistication and sensibilities. An older read-aloud, this book could be used by teachers as part of an arts curriculum or by parents wishing to introduce their children to musical theater. It also succeeds as an exciting rendition of a classic work of fiction.

Rosalyn Pierini, San Luis Obispo City-County Library, CA

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

So very cute!
The story is a tad jumpy. The flow of the story isn't the most graceful. However, it would be wonderful for children.
As for the age group, there are some words that would perplex a seven to nine year old child. However, if your child loves to look words up, this would be a wonderful mind boost. (They can be gathered from the context, but still...I'm sure you can understand.)

A very sweet adaptation. If you are a collector, or a "phan," this is a cute addition to your book collection. The art is adorable. Though the story skips some parts which you may think of as 'the best' or crucial (I was so looking forward to seeing Erik dressed in his Red Death costume, and that was not there, unfortunately...etc.), it still follows the *original* story so very well, as opposed to the Andrew Lloyd Webber version.
For example:
[Raoul approaches Christine, who is being praised and flocked around by admirers. He calls her name, and says he rescued her scarf from the sea, but she seems to bear no recognition.]
'He plucked up he courage to knock, but suddenly he heard a voice from inside the dressing room: "Christine, you must love me." To which came Christine's tearful reply: "How can you talk like that when you know I sing only for you? Tonight I gave you my soul."
The other voice softened. "No emperor ever received such a priceless gift. Tonight the angels wept." '

If you love Phantom, you'll love this.

Oh, and yes....they keep his name: Erik, the Phantom Cat of the Opera! :)

The Phantom for Cat Lovers (and kids)
This cute variation of "The Phantom of the Opera" is perfect for cat lovers, and for children with one caveat. Despite the illustrations, which make it very child-friendly and the shortening of the story, some of the vocabulary would even be difficult for young adults. If you buy this for a child, make sure you read it with them, so you can explain unfamiliar terms. Otherwise, this is a wonderful book and the illustrations are beautifully done in bright vibrant colors. I highly recommend it as an introduction to one of the most famous stories of the last half century.

not for children
Im sorry, the words in this book are so hard, so over the top and hard my kids sat there looking bored sick. I don't know what age group this is for: more like college level. the pictures do not go with the store. Its the original Phantom words with cat pictures. Why didn't they just draw regular people or use a cat adapted story? Weird