Gaston Leroux's
The Phantom of the Opera
Illustrated by Kristin Mai
Buy
Art Prints
An Illustrated Edition of
Leroux’s Gothic Classic
“The Opera ghost really existed. He was not, as was long believed, a creature of the imagination of the artists, the superstition of the managers, or a product of the absurd and impressionable brains of the young ladies of the ballet, their mothers, the box-keepers, the cloak-room attendants or the concierge. Yes, he existed in flesh and blood, although he assumed the complete appearance of a real phantom; that is to say, of a spectral shade."Gaston Leroux's most iconic novel is brought to life in this hardcover edition featuring full-color illustrations and ornate page designs by Kristin Mai.Release Date:
October 1, 2025Product Details:
- Format: Hardcover with dust jacket, full color, 70lb paper
- Dimensions: 6 x 9 in (229 x 152 mm)
- Page Count: 340
- Language: English
- Content Warnings: Violence, mentions of self-harm, derogatory language
Book Preview
FAQ
Is this the original Phantom of the Opera novel or a re-telling?
This is the original novel written by Gaston Leroux.Which translation is this edition?
This edition uses the English translation from 1911 by Alexander Teixeira de Mattos. This was the first English translation of The Phantom of the Opera, and one of the most common translations used.Is this the full book or abridged?
This edition is the full Alexander Teixeira de Mattos translation.Are the illustrations/ designs hand drawn or AI?
Hand drawn. I am against generative AI and will never use or endorse it in my work. I also started illustrating this project in 2020, before gen AI was widely available.
About the Project
I started illustrating The Phantom of the Opera in 2020, at the height of the Covid pandemic. During those dark, uncertain days of lockdown, I sought solace in the two things that have always given me escape: art and books. And so I began this project, revisiting one of my favorite works of all time and immersing myself in Leroux’s gothic tale. It is probably no coincidence that during this period of grief and isolation, I would be drawn to a story of a phantom.The Phantom of the Opera is a story close to my heart, so I hope the love I put into this project will resonate with readers, whether they are avid Phantom fans or reading this book for the first time.
Inspirations
I took most of my artistic inspiration from the majestic Palais Garnier. I sought to capture the lush atmosphere of the historic Paris opera house in my art and designs, just as Leroux did in his writing.
The motif I created for the cover of the book and the chapter dividers were inspired by the mosaic flooring. The design for the quote pages were inspired by the ceiling of the Grand Foyer. The title page was inspired by the paneled ceiling of the Avant-Foyer. And Apollo's lyre can be found throughout the book design just as it is found repeated throughout the architecture of the Palais Garnier.
Special Thanks
I want to give my most heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported and motivated me during this lengthy project. I also want to give a special thanks to Michelle Hahm for critiquing my illustrations, and A'Gia Alston for text editing and illustration feedback.
The Artist
Kristin Mai is an artist and graphic designer from the Washington, DC area. Her background is in web and print design. She specializes in digital illustration, which she enjoys combining with her love of books.Her next illustration project is Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.