In “Critical Essay on ‘The Phantom of the Opera’”, author David Kelly debates why Leroux’s book makes a better stage production or movie than a book. While Kelly feels Leroux’s characters lack depth, he advises this depth can be found when the characters are on screen or stage. Although Kelly does acknowledge that Leroux adds character elements he “does not follow through with them” and “the problem is that Leroux’s writing is all elements and no details.” Conversely, Kelly credits Leroux with “other great accomplishment(s) in the novel, his sense of scene.” Leroux’s detail for scenery can be found within the entire book, especially when he writes of the opera house. Kelly recognizes Leroux to be a brilliant writer and feels that if
