Finally!

I own a copy of Leroux's book! The only local bookstore I have did not have it, I never go to librarys (not that I want to just borrow it anyway), so when we went out of town last weekend I got POTO at a Borders! I started on it yesterday and I fricken LOVE it. I was scared I'd have as hard a time following it as I did with Lord of the Rings, but I'm not having trouble at all. I'm so happy!

But what's the "condensed" version and how is it different? I want to make sure that's not what my copy is...A friend on Deviantart said she only ever got to read the condensed version which sounds like it might not be as good, with things left out or something?This is what I have.

Glad you're enjoying it. I found some bits excellent but others a little dull.
I've never heard of a condensed version....I'm sure RedDeath would know though!
I own this one http://www.amazon.co.uk/Phantom-Opera-Penguin-Popular-Classics/dp/0140621741/ref=sr_1_1/203-8386529-9347945?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1176932931&sr=1-1

Neither of those versions are 'condensed.' A condensed book is a version that is shortened ot revised to not include the larger or more obsolete words or phrases.
The normal POTO novel is between 150-250 pages, depending on the size of pages, introductions, etc.
But no, neither of those are.

Good. I finished it a couple weeks ago and now my friend is borrowing it, though she's not sure she'll ever finish.

I LOVED it. I did get a little teary-eyed at the end, too...

And now I must finish Kay's Phantom.

Ah, that is a winner I love Kay's version! It's even sadder!

Hmm... I strangely I though Leroux's versions sadder seeing as it's the first novel and I found Kay's ending rushed.

Leroux's novel is very confusing and jumps all over the place. Being a writer myself, I can tell that he wanted to fit too many genres in to one, and the result was muddled, to put it mildly. Kay's version is not rushed at all. Explain what you mean.

Spoiler:

I think I understand what she means...

Kay's ending was one of those endings where the author, even though Erik's fate is sealed, gives him a "happy ending." Her ending isn't much like the POM one where it goes over the top to an annoyance level but Kay did try to make things more fluff for him at the end, thus giving a rushed ending.

I didn't like that she then switched to Raoul's POV. I'm sorry but Raoul?! I did't want to know what happened to him at the end.

To be honest, since the whole idea of the book was a biography of sorts for the Phantom, the epiloge was a bit too long and maybe strayed a bit.

Just my opinion, I know nothing about real writing

Viscountess duBois wrote:
I didn't like that she then switched to Raoul's POV. I'm sorry but Raoul?! I did't want to know what happened to him at the end.
To be honest, since the whole idea of the book was a biography of sorts for the Phantom, the epiloge was a bit too long and maybe strayed a bit.
Just my opinion, I know nothing about real writing

I know what you mean, but, I did like the idea of

Spoiler:

It made the Erik/Christine relationship more vivid and passionate, albeit not exactly what I like to see in any POTO story. I'm a conservative of the Leroux version, allt he way!