Lessons From The Phantom of the Opera© and Other Phantom Ramblings: "Goodbye Paris, Hello Valletta" Book Review of The Phantom of Valletta

Sunday, August 22, 2010

"Goodbye Paris, Hello Valletta" Book Review of The Phantom of Valletta

Thank you to The Malta Times for the wonderful book review. In addition, they also took the time to interview me regarding the novel and my status as a self-published author. I truly appreciate the kindness and support of the writer and sub-editor who contacted me to do these two wonderful pieces for The Sunday Times. It was quite a surprise to say the least! The Phantom has found a new home on the isle of Malta in another fiction sequel penned by a lover of his story.

Regards,
Vicki Hopkins

Goodbye Paris, hello Valletta

The Sunday Times, Malta
22 Aug 2010

The ubiquity of the Phantomof the Opera franchise shows no signs of abating. The Angel of Music has sung his way through musical, film, novel and even children’s literature. And his voice remains as strong as ever, continually lending itself to new...read more...

Rising from the ashes

The Sunday Times, Malta
22 Aug 2010

The Phantom of Valletta continues where Gaston Leroux’s ThePhantomofthe Opera left off , describing the Opera Ghost’s story after the events in Paris . Why did you choose Valletta’s Royal Opera House as the setting for your new novel? I wanted to...read more...

Tech Tags: The Sunday Times, Malta newspaper Culture And Entertainment

3 comments:

Tièr said...: Congratulations! I'm very excited for you! And happy for us who love dear Erik, that there's another tale told...

I'm SO EXCITED that this is available for the nook! I love Amazon for many things, but am partial to Barnes and Noble for their eBooks.

Well, I have much to read before I get to yours - although rest assured I will. =)

God bless you.; September 11, 2010 at 7:39 AM
rhapsody said...: Have purchased your eBook for my nook! =)

So I'm skipping the reviews until after I've read it. Which won't be for a bit as I'm currently reading something else, but I just couldn't wait to buy it!; September 22, 2010 at 9:32 PM
rhapsody said...: Hello again -

&

****** SPOILER ALERT ******

Well, I finished your book and wanted to comment. I will tell you that with each book I read, I get a different picture of Erik in my mind's eye. Your Erik is the one in the beautiful illustrations you have to the right of this blog; tall, thin, elegant. I think, who would play the Erik of your story?

Desiree for me was easy, although I'm not sure that you will agree. Although I believe you wrote her petite (and the person I have in mind is not) - Taylor Swift is my top pick. I saw your website with a blond woman, but I still pictured Taylor S...

Well, the story was fresh and interesting. I have enjoyed all the stories - each person writes with a great deal of respect for the characters, from what I can see. You are no exception. You had kept all of the elements of Erik's personality intact. And I loved Christine and Raoul! They were darling and so caring toward Erik! They are always and forever in my mind Emmy and Patrick =) Your Mme. Giry seemed different than Webber's - more Leroux' to me - as was your Erik different from "Gerik". But no matter. Beautiful Ramin is different as well...

Still, I cannot think of who? I thought back to Leslie Howard - who was a wonderful Scarlet Pimpernel - and Fred Astaire, who was elegant as well. But he escaped me.

I read that Daniel Day Lewis is set to play Lincoln in Steven Spielberg's production next year. He's tall and has a mysterious way about him...

I just don't know for sure.

Who's your Erik?

Let me know who you had in mind?; November 24, 2010 at 10:21 PM

Blog/Book Review

"Lessons From 'The Phantom of the Opera' " is a creative and thoughtful approach to pop culture hit. I enjoyed the book because I teach French history at the college level and I have long enjoyed Gothic novels as well as opera. I connect with the story on several levels, professional and personal. "Lessons" takes a personal, reflective approach that asks readers to think about why they react as they do to the musical and novel. Why does such an old fashioned, romantic story have such appeal in post modern society? Simple: young or old or in between, we still respond to the emotions explored in the story. I plan to tell some of my students who are Phantom fans about this book." (Dr. Melanie Byrd)

The Joy of Audio Books

I love audio books. They open up a whole new world of entertainment. They save time from sitting down and reading a book. You can listen while driving to work, during work, taking a walk, running, or working outside and around the house. It's a time-saving opportunity to take a moment and enjoy your favorite books, acted out by talented voice artists, many of which are from television and stage.

The talent chosen for The Phantom of Valletta, has extensive voice experience. My other narrators are from the stage, or are professional voice artists that have done television, documentaries, and commercials.

Why not try out a membership at Audible? It's easy - starts with a free trial, has no long-term commitment, and is filled with entertainment.

Join today, and I'll give you a free code to one of my books of your choosing to get you started.

JOIN HERE AT AUDIBLE

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All quotations used in this blog are the property of:

The Phantom of the Opera, by Gaston Leroux, Pubished by Random House, Inc. 2002 (Quoted with Permission)

Introduction by Anne Perry, Copyright 2002, Random House, Inc. (Quoted with Permission)

Phantom Of The Opera lyrics are the property of their respective authors, artists and labels. (Music Andrew Lloyd Webber/Lyrics Charles Hart, The Really Useful Group, London, UK). Licensing fees were paid to use them in my book, Lessons From the Phantom of the Opera, but have been omitted here on the blog. Artwork is posted by permission of artist.

Writer's icon and other photos used in his blog were purchased from iStockPhotos.com, with rights for use, or are personal photographs taken by Phantom's Student. POTO from Photobucket.

Special Thanks

Special thanks to Anne Perry who has given me permission to quote her from her introduction to The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux, published by Random House, 2002, and her good luck wishes.

Special thanks to the Hal Leonard Corporation, who made my experience in getting licensing permission to use Webber's lyrics in my book easier than I dreamed.

Special thanks to my readers that allow me to express my views from behind my mask and keep coming back for more even though I poke at them.

Special thanks to Sadie Montgomery (Author of the "The Phoenix of the Opera" series) for holding my hand through my self-publishing experience and for her faithful and continued encouragement.