IN GASTON LEROUX'S NOVEL, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, CHRISTINE RETURNS TIME AND AGAIN TO THE PHANTOM'S LAIR BENEATH THE OPERA HOUSE. SHE DOES THIS DESPITE TELLING RAOUL THAT ERIK FRIGHTENS HER. IN YOUR OPINION, WHY DOES CHRISTINE CONTINUE TO SEEK OUT THE OPERA GHOST?

 

AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF ETIENNE DE MENDES'

The Tale of the Bloodline

was sent to

Julie in Texas

March 2010

 

CONTEST ENTRY

Despite the belief that Christine was an “innocent” among the world of theater, she was well acquainted with the competitive spirit that pulls one star to the top of the public’s attention and crashes another down into oblivion. She’d grown up in the ballet corps, watched performances for years, and now had an opportunity to achieve excellence. Oh, she wanted the attentions of the Viscount de Chagny, but initially she was willing to put even that at risk to become a diva. Humans are devious and deceptive. She tells Raoul that Erik frightens her, but she secretly relishes the chance to go to the very depths of the cellars and practice with the maestro. She has discovered, and not a moment too soon, that she can play both sides of the tracks and come out ahead. Does she care that Erik’s heart is breaking? No. In Leroux’s book, she spares him one parting little kiss on his forehead. Do his tears stir her into lingering? No. Undeserving Jezebel has spun her plot. Her training is complete and now she may marry the man with the whole face. The fop dandy who has been babied all his life and given every whim he ever desired. Ambitious Christine is no heroine. She goes back to the cellars time and again to focus on her musical performances. It is the Phantom that upsets her calculating plans by stealing her right off center stage in a bold unprecedented stroke of iron-handed will. Too bad.

Julie in Texas

COMMENTS

Congratulations! You are an amazing insightful writer. I believe that Leroux's book indicates Christine benefitted from her lessons, that she enjoyed the attention she received from both Raoul and Erik, and that she was ambitious.
Etienne

When I found out I won the contest I stood up and screamed so loud that I scared my husband and both our dogs! Cannot wait to receive my copy of the Tale of the Bloodline. I love everything Etienne de Mendes writes.
Julie, still dancing in Texas

I love the way this third book has taken a sci-fi twist, and the love scenes sent me to the heavens. The human interest remains high in Etienne's work. I may be young, but I know what I like. Can't wait for The Disciples of the Night!
Julie in Austin
(the great state of Texas)

 

 

The Phantom of the Opera sequel

The Opera Ghost Returns

The Paris Opera House

The Return of the Phantom

The Season of the Witch

The Tale of the Bloodline

by Etienne de Mendes

The Phantom, Christine Daae, Madame Giry

"Feast your eyes, glut your soul on my cursed ugliness!"

Original music for The Return of the Phantom by Brett Lahti

Gaston Leroux would be proud