I recall another book (besides Susan Kay's) ...

Bear with me; I'm trying to remember as much as I can from a book I read about twenty years ago.

It was told from Erik's point of view, but before you start insisting that it was Susan Kay's Phantom, I can assure you that it was not. I found Kay's Phantom at the library (finally) and I never read this one before. The book I read back in junior high did not have any other person's POV, only Erik's, nor do I recall any mention of Luciana. I thumbed through Phantom looking for a part that I remember fairly clearly, and it's not there. The writing style is different, as well.

I'm taking a guess that the book was titled Erik, and it was, perhaps, over a hundred pages long (nowhere near the 400+ pages of Phantom). I've tried looking it up online, but I can't find anything that fits what I remember. I read that book several times that school year (I found it in the school library when I was in sixth grade), but, like I said, this was about twenty years ago. I do recall that there were a few illustrations and that it was written, I believe, for children.

That part that I could remember with any confidence was Erik wandering the streets and singing (he was still pretty young, either before or after being exhibited as a freak). People would call out for whoever had such a heavenly voice to show them his face, but he kept himself hidden in night's shadows. (That's not the wording from the book.)

Another part I remember is while he was being exhibited as the Living Death. He (Erik) described how people would pay their money to see him, scream, run out of the tent, then pay money to come back in and see his hideous face again.

If anyone has any idea what I'm talking about or where I could find out about it, I would be most appreciative. This has been bugging me for the past few years, and, to be honest, I thought it was Kay's Phantom for a while when I read a summary of it.

Greetings Chantal,

I recall a children's book written from Erik's POV that covered the scenes you described. It was adapted by Kate McMullan as part of the "Stepping Stones Classic" series from Random House.

TAFKaR

Raphael wrote:Greetings Chantal,

I recall a children's book written from Erik's POV that covered the scenes you described. It was adapted by Kate McMullan as part of the "Stepping Stones Classic" series from Random House.

TAFKaR

That sounds like it might be it, Raphael. I'm looking for it online now. Thank you so much for your help!

Yes! I found an excerpt of McMullan's book at operaghost.scriptmania.com, and that was it! "My little yellow eyes gleamed in the dark." Oh, I can't tell you how much finding this means to me, Raphael! This was the third version of Erik's story that I knew (after the animated hour-long 'movie' and listening to the cast recording of ALW's Broadway production in Music class), and it only made me feel even more for him. A thousand heartfelt thanks!

Glad to be of help, Chantal

TAFKaR

Wow, I'm glad I'm not the only one who remembers this. I bought it for my sister sometime in the mid-90s!