Home
/
Fiction
/
The Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera
Jan 16, 2026 11:57 AM

Author:Gaston Leroux,Mireille Ribière,Jann Matlock,Arty Froushan

The Phantom of the Opera

Brought to you by Penguin.

The Phantom of the Opera is Gaston Leroux's exquisite blend of Gothic horror and tragic romance, which formed the basis for a world-renowned stage musical. This Penguin Classics edition is translated with notes by Mireille Ribiere, and an introduction by Jann Matlock.

When the new managers of the Paris Opera House ignore their predecessors' warnings about the hideous 'Opera ghost' stalking the theatre, it is a fatal mistake. The Phantom haunts the imagination of the beautiful and talented singer Christine Daaé, appearing to her as the 'Angel of Music' - a disembodied voice, coaching her to sing as she never could before. When Christine is courted by a handsome young Viscount, the Phantom is consumed by jealousy and seeks revenge. And when Christine suddenly disappears after a triumphant singing performance, it becomes clear that the Phantom's time has come.

With its pervading atmosphere of menace, tinged with dark humour, The Phantom of the Opera (1910) has inspired film, stage and literature since its publication, including Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera, the most successful theatrical show of all time. Mireille Ribière's highly readable and historically accurate translation captures the drive and drama of Leroux's vivid tale, and is accompanied by extensive notes and further reading. Jann Matlock's fascinating new introduction examines the Phantom's legacy and uncovers the real secrets hidden in the Paris Opera House.

© Gaston Leroux, Mireille Ribière 2009 (P) Penguin Audio 2021

Reviews

Moshfegh's stunning 2018 novel has a haunting ending... [and] relentlessly vicious humour.

—— Gwendolyn Smith , i

This razor sharp satirical novel has achieved near mythical status... [a] compelling and clever take on a female character that isn't afraid to speak her mind

—— Glamour

Ottessa is one of our newest, most dazzling, daring and outrageous voices in literature

—— Gwendoline Christie , Vogue

Bernardine Evaristo is one of those writers who should be read by everyone, everywhere

—— Elif Shafak, author of the bestselling The Island of Missing Trees

A bold memoir. Prepare to be inspired

—— Psychologies

A meditation on personal transformation, cultural inequalities, activism, belonging, love and friendships - and above all, the power of creativity

—— New Statesman

Bernardine Evaristo is one of Britain's best writers, an iconic and unique voice, filled with warmth, subtlety and humanity. Exceptional

—— Nikesh Shukla, author of Brown Baby and The Good Immigrant

How I wish when I was 18, that someone - if not necessarily my school - had also thrust Manifesto into my hands

—— Evening Standard

Shimmers with unfailing self-belief and a strong vein of humility

—— The Spectator

This humorous and eye-opening memoir is fascinating . . . and beautifully told

—— Sunday Telegraph, Five Books That Will Make You See the World Differently

The autobiographical parts of the book serve as vivid lessons about the power of change, growth and self-confidence

—— The Daily Telegraph

The most striking feature of this moving and enjoyable book is her fearless openness. When the publishing world looked closed to her she prised it open with her daring fiction

—— The Sunday Times

Bernardine Evaristo is the most daring, imaginative and innovative of writers

—— Inua Ellams

Manifesto serves as not only a beautifully written, measured companion piece to the fictionalised lives of Girl, Woman, Other, but as a testament to Evaristo's own trailblazing commitment to creativity, education and activism

—— Buzzfeed

[A] tenderly rendered apocalyptic novella... Johnson is an unusually sensitive writer, combining a mood of impending doom with language of soulful beauty

—— Claire Allfree , Daily Mail

This brief, brilliant gut-punch of a novel is frighteningly plausible... Lush, harrowing, and entirely believable - a marvel of economy

—— Paul Connolly , Metro

My Monticello is short, satisfying and punchy: more debuts should be like this

—— John Self , The Times

Stunning

—— Eithne Farry , Mail on Sunday

Chilling, affecting and intelligent

—— Stuart Kelly , Scotland on Sunday

This brief, brilliant gut-punch of a novel is frighteningly plausible

—— Paul Connolly , Metro, *Christmas Gift Guide 2021*

My Monticello is a bleak story but reading it elicits the same kind of sensation that comes from listening to a poignant blues song: there is pleasure in its creation without denying the pain of the subject

—— Colin Grant , Guardian

A history lesson, a fable, an inquiry into the nature of historic monuments, a heartfelt tale of community and above all a nail-biting story.

—— Guardian

Beautifully written with unforgettable characters... My Monticello is an unforgettable and thought-provoking novella that will unsettle you to your core.

—— Voice

A wild ride through Americana

—— BuzzFeed

History [and] adventure collide in The Lincoln Highway . . . The pace is fast and writing concise, making it a digestible read whether in bed or at a loud coffee shop

—— Associated Press

Magnificent . . . Towles is a supreme storyteller, and this one-of-a-kind kind of novel isn't to be missed

—— Publishers Weekly

[A] playfully thought-provoking novel . . . [Towles] juggles the pieces of his plot deftly, shifting from voice to voice, skirting sentimentality and quirkiness with a touch of wistful regret, and leading up to an ending that is bound to provoke discussion

—— Booklist

A new author to me- but I'll be reading Amor's A Gentlemen in Moscow, as I was blown away by this... A heartfelt read, one that makes me think of coming of age film Stand By Me

—— Prima

A natural storyteller, Towles keeps the plot ticking over nicely in a solid holiday listen destined for the big screen

—— Irish Examiner

A perfect paperback

—— The Herald

A book to lose yourself in

—— Muddy Stilettos
Comments
Welcome to zzdbook comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Copyright 2023-2026 - www.zzdbook.com All Rights Reserved