Support Struggle for Public Domain: like and share http://facebook.com/BookLiberationFrontThe Phantom of the Opera is best known as the cult classic musical composed by Andrew Lloyd Weber, and we overlook the masterpiece that inspired the great musical. Do NOT overlook this book, it is a must for both fans of the musical and new readers of all ages.The Phantom of the Opera is the story of Erik, a horribly disfigured man who was a torturer in a Persian court, who has lived his life in sadness. He is forced to flee from the court in Persia because of a threat on his life and after serving in many other places, he retires to the cellars of the Paris Opera House. Here, he spends his days composing his very own operetta, Don Juan Triumphant, which becomes his life's work. However, when he is not hard at work composing, sleeping, or wallowing in self pity, he meddles in the affairs of the opera house and takes control of how things are run by posing as the Opera Ghost.It is in this fashion that he meets Christine Daae, a young woman who once had a glorious voice, but her talent was dimmed for grief at the death of her father. Christine's father had told her tales of sending her an angel of music when he died, so Erik posed as Christine's angel and gave her singing lessons. Then, one brilliant night, Christine triumphed by performing her first lead (Margarita in the opera Faust.) It was a divine performance and all were enchanted by her.Enter, the Viscompt de Chagny, who is madly in love with our young starlet;Christine returns his affections;this does not bode well with our dearest phantom.Thus begins a battle between Raoul the Viscompt and Erik the Phantom of the Opera, over the heart of young Christine Daae.This turns into a battle of life and death, but who emerges the victor? And where does Chrisine's heart truly lie? Will Christine discover the dark secrets of Erik's past?This book is absolutely exquisite and is filled with lush, gothic, imagery. A must read.