Through Phantom Eyes

Erik is only a young boy when he first discovers his great passion for music. Just before his third birthday, he listens to his mother playing the piano, and with excitement, he realizes his life will always be filled with music. Sadly though, along with that powerful and comforting emotion, there is also sorrow. Erik's mother fears him because of his facial deformity, and he is forever scarred by her rejection. His father loves and protects him and tries to guide his young son's rapidly growing genius mind and disturbed heart. Nevertheless, Erik's soul begins to fill with loathing for the world that shuns him, causing him to wage a fierce battle between murderous hatred and compassionate love. Erik's temper erupts violently at times, endangering the lives of those around him as well as his own. Ultimately, he is abandoned and left alone to battle not only a world destined to cause him harm but also his tortured heart. Discover the astonishing life of Erik, and journey into the private world and intimate thoughts of the man known as the Phantom of the Opera. Be with him as he struggles to balance his brilliant mind and tormented soul.

By 1856, Erik, a musical genius, has spent his last few years traveling with a band of gypsies. Now an adult, he has his own tent designed to take on the appearance of an elegant opera house and he has no shortage of fans who enjoy the beauty of his elegant voice. The gypsies have set up camp in Russia where the cold air proves bothersome for Erik. After deciding to move to the warmer climate of Italy, Erik overhears a conversation that compels him to journey to Persia instead. After arriving in Persia, he meets the mighty Shah and eventually builds him a magnificent palace filled with many secrets. During his tumultuous first years in Persia, Erik gains admiration and respect from some who believe he has mystic powers, but he also gains hatred from others who want him dead. One man sees something extraordinary in him, and even though Erik has refused to let anyone into his battered heart, a friendship is destined that will alter both mens paths dramatically. Just as Erik gains political prowess, he begins a life-and-death battle against two powerful nationschanging the course of his life forever.

This is the pivotal volume. In it, Erik faces challenges both new and frightening when he encounters Christine, the woman fate has directed to his lonely heart. Just as a river changes the landscape of a country, Christine changes the course of Eriks life. The year is 1881, and the lonely man, Erik enters a period in his life when his full passion finds its true home in the form of the young chorus girl, Christine. Once he meets her, his obsession for her is fueled by his past years of distressing solitude, and she becomes the woman he loves and the woman he must have as his own. His deformity is the first obstacle in the way if winning her love, but her childhood sweetheart, Raoul, is the bigger obstacle and the biggest challenge. He meets these challenges, while he also keeps his managers doing his will, which is to make Christines career a success. Erik works patiently to gain the trust and love of Christine, while, at the same time, he meets the challenge presented by Raouls youth and handsome appearance. Violent encounters are inevitable in any love triangle, but considering Eriks past life and deformed emotions, the encounters become death-dealing.

By 1856, Erik, a musical genius, has spent his last few years traveling with a band of gypsies. Now an adult, he has his own tent designed to take on the appearance of an elegant opera house and he has no shortage of fans who enjoy the beauty of his elegant voice. The gypsies have set up camp in Russia where the cold air proves bothersome for Erik. After deciding to move to the warmer climate of Italy, Erik overhears a conversation that compels him to journey to Persia instead. After arriving in Persia, he meets the mighty Shah and eventually builds him a magnificent palace filled with many secrets. During his tumultuous first years in Persia, Erik gains admiration and respect from some who believe he has mystic powers, but he also gains hatred from others who want him dead. One man sees something extraordinary in him, and even though Erik has refused to let anyone into his battered heart, a friendship is destined that will alter both men's paths dramatically. Just as Erik gains political prowess, he begins a life-and-death battle against two powerful nations changing the course of his life forever.

Erik is only a young boy when he first discovers his great passion for music. Just before his third birthday, he listens to his mother playing the piano, and with excitement, he realizes his life will always be filled with music. Sadly though, along with that powerful and comforting emotion, there is also sorrow. Erik's mother fears him because of his facial deformity, and he is forever scarred by her rejection. His father loves and protects him and tries to guide his young son's rapidly growing genius mind and disturbed heart. Nevertheless, Erik's soul begins to fill with loathing for the world that shuns him, causing him to wage a fierce battle between murderous hatred and compassionate love. Erik's temper erupts violently at times, endangering the lives of those around him as well as his own. Ultimately, he is abandoned and left alone to battle not only a world destined to cause him harm but also his tortured heart. Discover the astonishing life of Erik, and journey into the private world and intimate thoughts of the man known as the Phantom of the Opera. Be with him as he struggles to balance his brilliant mind and tormented soul.

By 1856, Erik, a musical genius, has spent his last few years traveling with a band of gypsies. Now an adult, he has his own tent designed to take on the appearance of an elegant opera house and he has no shortage of fans who enjoy the beauty of his elegant voice. The gypsies have set up camp in Russia where the cold air proves bothersome for Erik. After deciding to move to the warmer climate of Italy, Erik overhears a conversation that compels him to journey to Persia instead. After arriving in Persia, he meets the mighty Shah and eventually builds him a magnificent palace filled with many secrets. During his tumultuous first years in Persia, Erik gains admiration and respect from some who believe he has mystic powers, but he also gains hatred from others who want him dead. One man sees something extraordinary in him, and even though Erik has refused to let anyone into his battered heart, a friendship is destined that will alter both men's paths dramatically. Just as Erik gains political prowess, he begins a life-and-death battle against two powerful nations changing the course of his life forever.

It is July 1881 in Paris, France, as a deformed musical savant awakens in a morphine-induced fog and realizes his suicide attempt has been unsuccessful. Although it frightens him to think he has to live again and try to correct his erring ways, Erik begins to formulate a plan that he hopes will provide him with a chance at a new life and the one thing he is craving most of allacceptance. After he reconnects with his love, Christine, they flee Paris, hopefully without detection. His plan is to escape the authorities and his rival, Raoul, and hide. After the traumatic life he has led, all Erik wants to do is live in peace with Christine. However, it seems the curse that Erik believes is shadowing him is not willing to let him rest. Even as the curse causes one obstacle after another, Erik remarkably finds a way to overcome each challenge. But will he ever be able to truly keep the curse at bay and live a serene life with Christine? In this continuing historical saga, a musical scholar leaves his old life behind and escapes Paris with a beautiful woman in the hope of shedding a curse and finding inner peace and love. Bruns is a masterful storyteller who skillfully crafts a world that is vivid and engrossing (Susan Rueppel, PhD).

Erik is ten-years-old when he wakes in the middle of a tragedy that will forever change his life. His guiding force, his father, is dead, and his shattered heart is inconsolable. While struggling with his grief over his loss, he discovers the people in his home town want him institutionalized, creating unbridled fears in his young heart. His anger rages against the men responsible for his father's death, adding a third dimension to his dilemma. Deciding to safeguard his freedom, he leaves his home and, with brave determination, ventures toward the musical conservatory in Venice, Italy-the goal fashioned by his father's loving guidance. But along the way, he meets with unexpected trials that waylay his dreams. Some people he encounters are cruel beyond his imagination, and he, on many occasions, barely escapes with his life. While most people are heartless, there are a few kind souls who have compassion for poor Erik. With their kindness, and Erik's undaunted courage, he surmounts all odds and continues toward his goal of unadulterated music. Join Erik on this second leg of his journey toward becoming known as the Phantom of the Opera.