I could not consider myself a 'Phantom Fan' until I read the original novel. Unfortunately I would have to say that my experience in reading the novel was
a bit 'disappointing'. I suppose that after seeing numerous movie adaptations and the broadway musical version, I am spoiled by the theatrics and already have a vivid picture
of the story's events. It was a good book and I'm sure it would have had a greater impact on me had I not seen the movies and stage versions before reading this.