Costumes and Filigree: A Novel of the Phantom of the Opera

In this not-so-serious retelling of the Phantom of the Opera, Christine Daaé, a rather bratty girl who lives to become a diva, is horrified to discover that her mentor, whom she believed to be an angel, is really a monstrously-disfigured man. But as she works to accomplish her goals of fame and fortune, she realizes that it is really her genteel fiancé, Raoul de Chagny, who is the true monster.Christine Daae's sole goal in life is to fulfill her late father's dream by becoming a famous singer, and attaining wealth, power, and glory for herself. But she isn't a very good singer, and her career as a ballerina at the Opera Garnier isn't going anywhere. That is, until she meets the Angel of Music, who agrees to teach her to sing.Erik, the self-styled Phantom of the Opera, cursed his lonely and pointless life until he found Christine, who desperately needed a musical instructor. Despite her bratty and demanding nature, he is overjoyed that his years of study in the musical arts will finally be useful to someone.Raoul, the Vicomte de Chagny is a foppish nobleman trying to cram as many seductions as possible into the three months before his wedding. After seeing one of Christine’s performances, he decides that she will be the perfect final seduction of his bachelor career.As Christine works to achieve her dreams, her struggle between love and greed, beauty and ugliness, kindness and hauteur, sets Paris ablaze.