4/25/22

I wasn't sure how much I'd like this one - I tend to find reading books by male authors of the 1800s tedious, but it was really good. I didn't know much about the story beforehand, and I'd forgotten it, so when I started reading it and it was all "this guy is so great and everything's going perfectly but ominous portents!" I was kind of thinking that that couldn't happen, alas, it did. So I read the back cover after things were about to go south, and I remembered what little I knew of the story. So I followed along this story wondering how Edmond would get his revenge. I was disappointed with one part of the ending (spoiler), which was that when he had the chance to reunite with his original beloved, he didn't take it, but the rest of it was generally pleasing. It definitely kept me enthralled. ( )

I need to start by saying that I respect this book for what it represents in the realm of classic literature. I recognize that many great works have used this story or elements from it as the foundations of their success. All that said, I was pretty underwhelmed by the book. I blame all those that suggested it to me. All descriptions I'd heard of the book pretty much too be up to page 130, which leaves 400 pages of story. Either these people that recommended the book to me did not read those 400 pages, are they thought so little of them as to not remember or mention them. Many elements of the story I found entertaining but I felt nothing for most of the characters. The melodrama throughout the storyline was distracting and off putting--I frequently found myself wishing for a more modern translation. ( )

Beautifully told story of revenge at its finest. Edmond Dantes went from despair to bettering his life by taking out all those who had harmed him. ( )

I have to confess - the first time I tried reading this book, I tried reading the unabridged version which turned out to be too much for me. It took me a good chunk of time to get through the first 300 pages. There was a lot of historical information that I didn't find interesting at the time, but I am going to attempt to read the unabridged version again someday because this book is totally worth it.

I devoured the abridged version. The story of Edmond Dantes and his transformation into The Count of Monte Cristo is dramatic and flawless. The wronged Edmond Dantes finds himself confronted with an intense thirst for justice and revenge against the men who condemned him to prison. As the Count of Monte Cristo, he reintegrates himself into their circle and stages the scene for his revenge.

Edmond constantly places justice on the same plate as revenge; but there are times he faces a moral crisis as to whether his vengeance is justified. Nevertheless, he carries out his plan until the end.

Yet, the previously jovial and good-natured Edmond is not completely lost after his experience in prison. As the Count of Monte Cristo, he saves those who are abandoned and good people, earning their loyalty because of his sincere goodness to them. The younger generation of characters which includes Albert and Maximillien also bring an aspect of friendship, love, and loyalty into the story.

The unabridged volume is kind of daunting, but reading this particular abridged version will help draw you into the story and hopefully like in my case, give you a larger incentive to eventually try the unabridged version. Dumas weaves such a splendid narrative, one in which all the characters are connected and none are wasted. I often found myself playing the detective, trying to piece together seemingly separate events that all seem to come together in the end. This is definitely a masterpiece of literature. ( )

Ah, the purplest of prose. Now reading it aloud, chapter by chapter, to one SFRIV. I do the police in voices. ( )

This novel is a page novel, full of action and suspense. It is a very exciting story. Unfortunately, as with many plot-driven novels, the characters are shallow.

Mr. Dumas demonstrates a keen sense of observation of society's conventions and style. He also deals with a timelness theme, showing how the Count, even once freed from prison, remains imprisoned by his need for revenge.

Glad I read it, but won't be reading any more by Dumas. ( )

I am so glad I finally read this. What a ride - thrilling, romantic, mysterious, - this book had it all! I loved every second of reading it and truly did not want it to end. No doubt I will be diving in again in the near future! ( )

Rating: 3.5* of five

The Book Report: .Edmond Dantès is truly on top of the world...he's handsome, young, successful, and about to marry a woman he loves. His boss promoted him, his lady-love's family beams approvingly at their wedding feast, and...

...the police arrive and arrest him for treason (this takes place in the Napoleonic War era, so this was a hot-button topic), he's sent to the Chateau d'If, tortured, held despite protestations if innocence, and finally escapes with the terminal assistance of the Abbé Faria, whose death offers Edmond the means of escape and the means to achieve revenge on the horrible people who, out of jealousy, deprived him of his youth.

Revenge is, indeed, a dish best served cold.

My Review: All three and a half stars are for the revenge part. I squirmed and writhed and generally caused my undies to bunch all during the incarceration part. Oh my gracious me. Yikes. Ow.

This is one of the most appalling stories ever told, to me, because it's TRUE!! Ye gods and little fishes! Horrifying! A man actually suffered through this agony! Although he didn't escape, he was released, and the treasure was in Milan, not on the mythical island of Monte Cristo. (I've now read that so many times that I'm hungry. I do love a monte cristo sammy.) When I learned this, I was so overwhelmed with fury at the long-dead perpetrators of this heinous crime, I was almost unable to finish the book.

All in all, I can't imagine wanting to read this ever again, but the journey was worth the pain. ( )

I thought I would enjoy this more, but I found it a bit dull. The mystery is mysterious and the drama is highly dramatic, but I wasn't absorbed by the plot and found some of the subplots distracting.

See my review at http://wp.me/p9KTB-aG

Gricel @ things-she-read.org ( )

One of my favorite classics. My favorites parts are the descriptions of how Edmond works his way into the lives of the people he wants to destroy, and how he establishes himself in the community. ( )