Based on the translation by Alexander Teixeira de Mattos With an Introduction by David Stuart Davies the shadow turned round; & I saw a terrible death's-head which darted a look at me from a pair of scorching eyes I felt as if I were face to face with Satan' Erik the Phantom of the Paris Opera House is one of the great icons of horror literature This tormented & disfigured creature has made his home in the labyrinthine cellars of this opulent building where he can indulge in his great passion for music which is a substitute for the love & emotion denied him because of his ghastly appearance It is in the Opera House that he encounters Christine Daae whom he trains in secret to become a great singer Erik's passionate obsession with a beautiful woman beyond his reach is doomed & leads to the dramatic tragic finale Gaston Leroux's novel is a marvellous blend of detective story romance & spine-tingling terror which has fascinated readers ever since the work was first published