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Emily May's Reviews > The Count of Monte Cristo
The Count of Monte Cristo
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Picture this: you are nineteen years old with your whole life ahead of you. You've just been offered the job of your dreams. And you're about to marry the person you've loved since childhood. When, suddenly, a couple of jealous men decide to frame you as a Bonapartist (a crime which was punished by death or life imprisonment) and have you sent away to rot in an island prison. I think it's fair to say you'd be feeling a touch bitter about the whole ordeal.
This is what happens to the young Edmond Dantes when he is betrayed at first by men jealous of his career and fiancee, then again by a man who sees a opportunity to benefit himself by sending Dantes to his jail cell. After spending fourteen years in a gloomy dungeon, Dantes finally has a chance to escape and seek revenge on those who wronged him, whilst also rewarding those who stuck by him and fought to prove his innocence.
I always try to read both positive and negative reviews of books so I can understand why people had a different opinion from my own, and the verdict on this from negative reviews seems to fall into one of two categories: 1) the book is too long, or 2) they were unable to side with Dantes when he sets out with his vengeful aims.
Personally, I agree that The Count of Monte Cristo is several novels in one and I'm not surprised that it was originally published in installments. That being said, though, the story itself is fascinating. It brings in historical elements and combines them with a great set of fictional characters to make a very rich story. There are parts that are sad and parts that are heartwarming and it all adds up to a great balance of the two.
As for the second problem, it is my own personal taste that I love a good revenge story. I know forgiveness is supposed to be a virtue blah blah and perhaps it doesn't make me a great person that I couldn't shake the hand of the one who'd ruined my life. Perhaps. But I believe Dantes suffered more than anyone in this tale, even after he had got his revenge. And I always did cheer for the likes of Beatrix Kiddo. So when the "avenging angel" struck, I was right there with him.
I think it says something when a 1200+ page novel doesn't bore me for a second, and The Count of Monte Cristo never once dragged as it took me through a plot spanning many years. There are several stories being told throughout and I found all of them interesting: Dantes' betrayal, The Shawshank Redemption-style time in prison where Dantes makes a close friend, the historical story of Napoleon's return, and Dantes' search for revenge. It's hard not to be enthralled by this complex world and its characters. My one complaint is the direction Dantes' romantic life took in the end, but whatever, there are over a thousand pages of awesomeness here and if you have the time to spare for this book/doorstopper/possible murder weapon, you should definitely read it.
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This is what happens to the young Edmond Dantes when he is betrayed at first by men jealous of his career and fiancee, then again by a man who sees a opportunity to benefit himself by sending Dantes to his jail cell. After spending fourteen years in a gloomy dungeon, Dantes finally has a chance to escape and seek revenge on those who wronged him, whilst also rewarding those who stuck by him and fought to prove his innocence.
I always try to read both positive and negative reviews of books so I can understand why people had a different opinion from my own, and the verdict on this from negative reviews seems to fall into one of two categories: 1) the book is too long, or 2) they were unable to side with Dantes when he sets out with his vengeful aims.
Personally, I agree that The Count of Monte Cristo is several novels in one and I'm not surprised that it was originally published in installments. That being said, though, the story itself is fascinating. It brings in historical elements and combines them with a great set of fictional characters to make a very rich story. There are parts that are sad and parts that are heartwarming and it all adds up to a great balance of the two.
As for the second problem, it is my own personal taste that I love a good revenge story. I know forgiveness is supposed to be a virtue blah blah and perhaps it doesn't make me a great person that I couldn't shake the hand of the one who'd ruined my life. Perhaps. But I believe Dantes suffered more than anyone in this tale, even after he had got his revenge. And I always did cheer for the likes of Beatrix Kiddo. So when the "avenging angel" struck, I was right there with him.
I think it says something when a 1200+ page novel doesn't bore me for a second, and The Count of Monte Cristo never once dragged as it took me through a plot spanning many years. There are several stories being told throughout and I found all of them interesting: Dantes' betrayal, The Shawshank Redemption-style time in prison where Dantes makes a close friend, the historical story of Napoleon's return, and Dantes' search for revenge. It's hard not to be enthralled by this complex world and its characters. My one complaint is the direction Dantes' romantic life took in the end, but whatever, there are over a thousand pages of awesomeness here and if you have the time to spare for this book/doorstopper/possible murder weapon, you should definitely read it.
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Reading Progress
August 15, 2012
– Shelved
August 23, 2012
–
Started Reading
August 28, 2012
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0.0%
""Elementary, my dear Watson" (1887) "Elementary, my dear Morcerf" (1845) - so Doyle copied Dumas? o_O"
August 28, 2012
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 66 (66 new)
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Andrea
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rated it 4 stars
Aug 29, 2012 08:57AM
Revenge stories can be great. I am very slowly working my way through this one, and it is indeed very long. But even though it twists and turns and looks at so many points of view that I'm not entirely sure what Dantes is up to, I'm still reading it, so that's at least a sign that it's holding my interest. :)
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Great review, I completely agree. A good revenge plot is always ace, how could a reader not want to see him pull it off in the end?!
Haha. yes, this book could be used as a murder weapon. If it fell off a shelf it may break my toe. I have been wanting to read this for awhile but the length is a little scary. and people say to read the unabridged version too.
Sean wrote: "Haha. yes, this book could be used as a murder weapon. If it fell off a shelf it may break my toe. I have been wanting to read this for awhile but the length is a little scary. and people say to re..."In a metafictional turn of event, the book ends abruptly when Dante's kills the reader by a blow to the head with the book itelf!
Now I am really scared considering I may have gotten a mild concussion from reading Trollope's Way We Live Now.
I've never read this book but the plot sounds very similar to Sweeney Todd,The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. I wonder if the writers of ST based their musical on this book :)
Callie wrote: "I've never read this book but the plot sounds very similar to Sweeney Todd,The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. I wonder if the writers of ST based their musical on this book :)"I know what you mean, the beginning does have a few similarities. The rest of the novel is quite different but they could definitely be based on the same original idea. Interesting.
"The count of mon-tee criss toe by alexandre dumbass""What?"
"Look."
"It's Do-mah. You'd like it. It's about a prison breakout."
"Should we file that under educational also?"
Awesome review! I'm very impressed by how little time it took you take this one down! That's great.
I've read this one at least 20 times. Used to re-read it every few months when I was a teenager. Edmond Dantes was my main literary crush growing up. The length has never once put me off and in fact I love just how complex vast and sprawling it is.
I only watched the movie. I'm not sure if that was based on this book but I loved the story! I'm going to add this one on my to-read list. great review! :)
Thanks :) I started watching the movie and there seemed to be quite a few differences from the beginning so I gave up on it.
Years ago my local public radio station would read a different novel on air every friday night. So, one summer it was The Count of Monte Cristo ~ my friend & I happened to work together a few fridays in a row and got completely hooked on listening to this story while at work. We even traded schedules with others so we could be together and tune in each friday. For *months* we were rivited with the story and I still remember how much we were anticipating the final installment... AND THEY NEVER AIRED IT!! Man, we were frantically calling the radio station and insisting that the final installment was due to be read that night, not the beginning of a new novel. We must have been the only two listening to this story because the radio station never admitted they made a mistake nor did they read the ending of it.
When I finally got around to reading the book for myself I remember actually being disappointed with the ending :/ Ah well... that's my Monte Cristo story! Sorry for being so long, but everytime I see this book it takes me back to that summer of listening to it on the radio :)
O.O That's so annoying! I would have complained too. To be honest, I think the ending is the weakest part of the novel but I liked the rest of it so much I decided to let Mr Dumas off with that :)
Agreed, the bulk of the novel is just soooo good! And you are right, it actually reads very quickly, I never felt bogged down by the 1200+ pages.
Emily wrote: "Thanks :) I started watching the movie and there seemed to be quite a few differences from the beginning so I gave up on it."I've seen the movie, I didn't think it compared to the I watched a few years ago as a teenager. I was hooked and I didn't mind the subtitles at all. I still need to read the book but as you say, it's an intimidating length. Did you read the ebook or the dtb?
I read the paperback (dtb? sorry if I'm being stupid), I prefer to read hard copies of big books because I can see the progress I'm making better.
Sorry, dtb = dead tree book, i.e. paperbacks and hardcovers.
Where the movies are concerned, I didn't like the American version (2002, w/ Jim Caviezel) that much; too commercial/actiony. But I did like the Gerard Depardieu mini-series quite a bit; it takes its sweet time with the revenge. Sure, it's hard to believe that a guy in such a prison for that long would still be rotund, but Gerard's such a great actor that you don't care.
Thanks Litchick! This is one of my favourites too, such a great story :)
Nice rieview! This is one my favorite books and I read it with pleasure, devouring every page. I like the story, I watched every movie in tv and I also prefer the version with Gerard Depardieu. An amazing character, able to conceive the most complex plots to get his revenge.
i read it in frensh , cuz i always like to read the book in its original language .. i think it makes a difference
Loved your reivew! I haven't read the unabridged version, but I definitely need to! What is your take on the whole God/Providence existential question in Count of Monte Cristo. Like, he goes through such an interesting progression of not believing God supported him in his vengeance, to clinging to that idea that He does, and then doubting it. Maybe it is a little less abrupt in the unabrigded, but I feel like his whole "I shouldn't have tried to be providence" proclaimation at the end comes without full development of that idea. Anyway, what's your viewpoint on that?
I agree with everything you've said about this awesome tale of innocence, love, betrayal and revenge. I just wish the romance between Dante and Mercedes ended with a bit more promise.
It sounds quite similar to Sweeney Todd.
Great review! Dumas was one of my favorite author when I was in Highschool - his stories always bring an interesting historical background, even if obviously that's fictionalized :) As for the length of the book, actually in French it's published in 2 volumes (maybe because it's been in the highschool curricula for a long time and they didn't want to scare students >.<
Merna wrote: "It sounds quite similar to Sweeney Todd."Ha, I can see that! But they're very different :)
Alienortothemoon� wrote: "Great review! Dumas was one of my favorite author when I was in Highschool - his stories always bring an interesting historical background, even if obviously that's fictionalized :) As for the leng..."Thank you! Would you recommend all his books? I've only read this and The Three Musketeers.
Emily May wrote: "Alienortothemoon� wrote: "Great review! Dumas was one of my favorite author when I was in Highschool - his stories always bring an interesting historical background, even if obviously that's fict..."Hum.. I don't know actually because it's been a long time since I read them but The last Valois series was my absolute favorite (here) - Have you read the sequel of The Three Musketeers? That was great too ("20 ans après" and "Le Vicomte de Bragelonne" in French, I don't know what's the name in the english version :/). I always found his writing great because as you said, his books are long but remain so easy to read :)
I love this story so much. I've read it like 5 times. Reading your review makes me want to read it all over again.
Natalie wrote: "I love this story so much. I've read it like 5 times. Reading your review makes me want to read it all over again."Thank you, Natalie :)
I love this book and I agree with you regarding how Edmond's romantic life turned out. That's the only complaint I have as well. I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way! *sigh* I can't fully accept it. I just can't. Ahaha
The word classic is bandied about too often, much in the way legend is for public figures. However if any novel deserves to be hailed as a classic, it is this one. I doubt I will ever read another novel which captured my imagination and my time so completely, as this one did. I loved the fact Dantes seeks revenge; I would do the exact same!
Great review! It is one of the best books ever written. And a rare classic that is so easy to read and never boring. :)
Excellent review! I was wondering if I should pick up this book and after reading this review, I definitely will! Thank you!
try The Mysteries of Paris - Eugene Sue next, Penguin Classics
Such a lovely review. I adore this book beyond expression <3
Now I'm picturing Dantes chasing his enemies and suavely bashing them on the head with the book, like the Horribly Slow Murderer with the Extremely Inefficient Weapon. I like it.
Absolutely loved this story .
For me personally this is the best revenge story ever written!! Loved it a lot...like a LOT!!
Tahera wrote: "For me personally this is the best revenge story ever written!! Loved it a lot...like a LOT!!"I agree! :)
i haven't read it yet but it probably a good book i mean right sorry if i spelt words wrong
One of my favorite novels! Often seen though in much shortened versions; the long original is well worth the read!
I agree! This book is a masterpiece, the only thing I was upset with is how his romantic life ended up at the end, I was hoping it would go another direction.
Yes, Forgiveness is supposed to be a virtue...
I agree, the last bit, that last angle that his romantic life takes was the only thing I didn’t like about this book. Particularly because I feel Mercedes didn’t deserve the punishment that was meted out to her and also because the count has repeatedly called Haidee his daughter. That left a bit of a bitter aftertaste but other hot damn, what a book!
