"If they had read the original book they would have noticed . . ."". . . suggests to me that the author herself has not even read Gaston Leroux's novel."
"This book cannot be 'legit' if the author clearly has no strong background on Leroux."
Where did those quotes above come from? Reviews on Lessons From the Phantom of the Opera and The Phantom of Valletta posted on Amazon in the US and UK. Interesting, huh?
If any of you know me and know this blog, it's filled with references and quotes from Gaston Leroux's work. Shall I take a picture of my ear-dogged paperback penned with notes in black ink and highlighted in yellow to prove I've read it? So why are all these scathing comments coming my way? I have my suspicions, but it mainly turns the spotlight on an increasing problem in the kingdom of Phantom.
I am not posting to bemoan one-star reviews from three narrow-minded readers. I'm posting because their comments finally pushed me over the edge to write a post I've thought about for some time. I've put it off because I didn't feel like getting strung up with a Punjab lasso. However, sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do. Apparently, in the eyes of some, there is a Golden Rule one must follow when writing anything Phantom - "Do unto Leroux, as Leroux has done unto you."
I am not posting to bemoan one-star reviews from three narrow-minded readers. I'm posting because their comments finally pushed me over the edge to write a post I've thought about for some time. I've put it off because I didn't feel like getting strung up with a Punjab lasso. However, sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do. Apparently, in the eyes of some, there is a Golden Rule one must follow when writing anything Phantom - "Do unto Leroux, as Leroux has done unto you."
After receiving these three comments, it solidified for me once again that the majority of the die-hard Phantom community is strongly polarized into groups. In the lair, fans who love the story pretty much stake their allegiances in one camp or the other. I realize there are plenty of other versions, but these three appear to carry the biggest bucket of overly zealous fans.
Gaston Leroux's Original
Andrew Lloyd Webber's Stage Play
Webber/Schumacher Movie
The Leroux camp of late are the greatest defenders of them all. Why? Well, it's the root of their faith. He is the creator of Phantomdom. His writing is worshiped and revered, and those who have been enlightened by its words will protect it at all costs, even if it means crucifying fellow fans outside the gates to make a point. It's obvious by the comments above that my worth as a Phantom fan is being described as minuscule, because I apparently failed to show the proper homage and intelligence when it came to Gaston Leroux's Le Fantôme de l'Opéra.
The only analogy I can give to the original by Gaston Leroux, is that it's becoming akin to a religion. It's canon law in the Phantom kingdom. It's been deemed by the council of competent authoritative fans in the Church of Erik, that Gaston Leroux is the way and the only way. Those who deviate from the original are heretics. Apparently, that's my problem according to the comments above, because I don't focus merely on Leroux. Therefore, I am an amateur who knows nothing. I have not seen the light. I have not been born again by Erik's touch. I'm tainted by the hypocrisy and false teaching of Andrew Lloyd Webber's various versions; therefore I deserve to be excommunicated.
Like any religion in the world today, those who believe they are the only way have little tolerance for those who deviate from the path of puritanical righteousness. It's almost uncanny folks how this is happening in the Phantom community in many areas. It's not just in Leroux vs. Webber. The grievous part is that some fans seem to think it's their job to attack another fan in order to protect what they deem is the "right" way. There is no respect - no compassion - no tolerance - no acceptance. It's a sad state of affairs indeed that reminds me of a narrow-minded religion out to either convert the masses or destroy those who do not hold the same beliefs.
I will be the first to agree that without Gaston Leroux, we would have no story of Phantom. When I first read the text, I cried. I loved the story and still do. Webber would never have written the stage version if not for the book. There would have been no Music of the Night. What a sad thought indeed to never have seen or heard that masterpiece. We owe the man much, but it's a book ladies and gentlemen. Whether you believe Erik really lived or not, it's a book. It's not the Bible. It was not written by the finger of God, but by a mortal man who drank, gambled, and had a mistress.
It's not a law in the Phantom community that all must bow down to Leroux as the absolute in all things Phantom. It's the root of the story and our heritage that we need to respect in a healthy manner. As far as I'm concerned, I've done that again and again in all of my Phantom works, including this blog and my novel. However, when we start attacking others, then it becomes a religion of obsessive fans out of control who feel they are better and hold some type of sainthood due to their love and deep knowledge of Leroux. "Lerouxism" at its extreme is a form of prejudice or discrimination against those fans who hold other versions just as dear to their heart.
I'm not writing this just because of three stupid statements posted on Amazon. You can probably tell by the tone of this post, I'm a bit irritated. I'm irritated on your behalf more than anything, and am writing it because I've read comments elsewhere directed at other fans in the community worldwide who have been ridiculed as ignoramuses, because they held a preference to a different version or never read the original work.
That's were I get up in the pulpit and start to preach my protestant Phantom beliefs, even if I may get burned at the stake by the end of this blog. I preach it because I know the people that visit this blog come from a large spectrum of fans and countries worldwide. All of you have been touched by the story in a variety of ways and by the various versions. You have a right to love the version that inspires you the most - whether it's Leroux, Webber, Yeston and Kopit, 2004 Webber/Schumacher movie, or the controversial sequel. The irony of it all, is that most people who are introduced to Phantom through other means, end up being directed back to the original book that they probably would have never bothered to read beforehand.
I'm not writing this just because of three stupid statements posted on Amazon. You can probably tell by the tone of this post, I'm a bit irritated. I'm irritated on your behalf more than anything, and am writing it because I've read comments elsewhere directed at other fans in the community worldwide who have been ridiculed as ignoramuses, because they held a preference to a different version or never read the original work.
That's were I get up in the pulpit and start to preach my protestant Phantom beliefs, even if I may get burned at the stake by the end of this blog. I preach it because I know the people that visit this blog come from a large spectrum of fans and countries worldwide. All of you have been touched by the story in a variety of ways and by the various versions. You have a right to love the version that inspires you the most - whether it's Leroux, Webber, Yeston and Kopit, 2004 Webber/Schumacher movie, or the controversial sequel. The irony of it all, is that most people who are introduced to Phantom through other means, end up being directed back to the original book that they probably would have never bothered to read beforehand.
People often say Leroux is tossing in his grave over Love Never Dies. Well I think he's tossing in his grave because the people who revere his work haven't been able to live the message he left between the pages. I'm sure his intent when he wrote the book was not to be worshiped 100 years later as some type of Phantom god. No doubt he merely envisioned writing a good story, with a poignant message, that would bring him some measure of success and nothing else.
In closing, if you're love Leroux, great for you. If you love Webber and other adaptations, great for you too. With that love, show an ounce of tolerance, please, to fans who may not hold your same level of devotion to the creator of Phantomdom.
The resident heretic,
The Phantom's Student aka Vicki
The Phantom's Student aka Vicki
