8 Tragic Love Books Like The Phantom of the Opera
For those like me who were deeply moved by the tragic love story in Gaston Leroux’s The Phantom of the Opera, here’s a selection of books that capture a similar romantic essence. These stories, while not all gothic, resonate with the classic themes of love, loss, and heartache found in Leroux’s classic (and the musical too).
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My pick of books like The Phantom of the Opera that you’ll enjoy!
1. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Set on the Yorkshire moors, Wuthering Heights is a tale of passionate and tumultuous love between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, an orphan brought to live at Wuthering Heights. Their intense relationship, marked by jealousy and revenge, creates a storm of emotions that affects generations.
Why you’ll be captivated:
This story delves into the complexities of love and the pain of longing, mirroring the intensity and heartache of The Phantom of the Opera.
- Emily Brontë (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 416 Pages - 12/31/2002 (Publication Date) - Penguin Classics (Publisher)
2. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Shakespeare’s timeless play Romeo and Juliet tells the story of two young star-crossed lovers whose tragedy ultimately reshapes their feuding families. Set in Verona, it beautifully explores themes of love, fate, and the tragic consequences of pettiness and misunderstanding.
Why you’ll be drawn in:
The themes of forbidden love, sacrifice, and tragedy in Romeo and Juliet resonate with what transpired between The Phantom and Christine, albeit told in a different writing medium.
- Annotated
- Shakespeare, William (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
Also check out our 1-minute summary of Romeo and Juliet’s plot.
3. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
In The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby’s obsession with Daisy Buchanan drives the narrative. Set in the roaring twenties, this novel explores the American dream, love, and the disillusionment that comes with idealization and unrequited love.
Why you’ll be intrigued:
Similar to The Phantom of the Opera, I believe The Great Gatsby is a short but powerful book that explores the pain of unrequited love and the lengths one will go to for their affection. The setting is vastly different but, in my opinion, the emotional beats resonate the same.
- Hardcover Book
- Fitzgerald, F. Scott (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
4. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Anna Karenina is a tale of love, infidelity, and the pursuit of happiness. The novel revolves around Anna’s affair with Count Vronsky and its repercussions. Set against the backdrop of Russian society, it delves into the moral complexities and tragic consequences of untamed passion.
Why you’ll be mesmerized:
I think Tolstoy’s exploration of illicit love and tragic endings will appeal to those moved by the deep and visceral emotions in The Phantom of the Opera.
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Hardcover Book
- Leo Tolstoy (Author)
5. Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
Les Misérables offers a panorama of Parisian society and delves into the lives of characters like the tragic Fantine and the lovelorn Eponine. Their stories of love and sacrifice amidst national conflict and political upheaval amplifies the emotional landscape found in The Phantom of the Opera.
Why you’ll be absorbed:
Hugo’s magnum opus portrayal of love and sacrifice in adversity shares a similar emotional depth with The Phantom of the Opera. Les Miserables is by far one of my favorite books of all-time. It’s a lengthy read for sure. But it is an exquisite, heartrending classic, especially when it comes to Eponine’s unrequited love
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Hugo, Victor (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
6. Atonement by Ian McEwan
Similar to other books like The Phantom of the Opera, Atonement explores the themes of love, guilt, and the desire for forgiveness. It revolves around the lives of Cecilia and Robbie, whose relationship is irrevocably changed by a false accusation, leading to a narrative filled with longing and the quest for atonement.
Why you’ll be enchanted:
The novel’s exploration of lost love and longing for redemption resonates with readers touched by The Phantom of the Opera, particularly The Phantom’s character arc.
- Ian McEwan
- fiction
- classics
7. The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje
Set against the backdrop of World War II, The English Patient explores the story of a mysterious, badly burned man, recounting his tragic affair and the complex emotions surrounding love, identity, and the ravages of war.
Why you’ll be moved:
This narrative, with its classic themes of love and traumatic loss, parallels the dramatic pulses of The Phantom of the Opera, albeit told at a different, more subdued pace.
- Ondaatje, Michael (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 305 Pages - 11/30/1993 (Publication Date) - Vintage Books (Publisher)
8. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Rebecca tells the story of a young woman who marries a wealthy widower, Maxim de Winter, and moves to his estate, Manderley. There, she finds herself in the shadow of his deceased first wife, Rebecca, and unravels the mysteries and secrets surrounding her.
Why you’ll be intrigued:
This novel’s exploration of love overshadowed by the past mirrors the haunting and tragic elements of The Phantom of the Opera, especially the troubled life-story of The Phantom. A gothic thriller that I think fans of Gaston Leroux will surely enjoy!
- Maurier Daphne Du (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 428 Pages - 01/30/2003 (Publication Date) - HACHETTE (Publisher)
