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The Count of Monte Cristo

by Alexandre Dumas, Lorenzo Carcaterra (Introduction)

4.1 of 5 stars 4.10 · rating details · 352,475 ratings · 9,698 reviews

''La narración perfecta.'' Robert Louis Stevenson

El conde de Montecristo es una de las novelas de aventuras más célebres de la literatura universal. Pero es también la historia de una terrible venganza: la de un hombre que, tras largos años de injusto cautiverio, regresa para castigar a todos aquellos que le traicionaron.

Paperback, 1462 pages

Published June 11th 2002 by Modern Library (first published 1844)

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Jun 22, 2011 Joel rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Joel by: Donna

Shelves: personal-collection, 2010, 52-in-2010, classics, haw-haw-haw-i-am-french, translated, a-dish-best-served-cold, long-as-shit, favorites, vote-getters, 30-day-book-challenge

Revenge is a dish best served cold. And unabridged. And translated from the French by Robin Buss.

The greatness of this book can be illustrated by the following simple equations:

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Whereas, the majesty of the Count of Counting added to the deliciousness of a Monte Cristo sandwich from Bennigans still does not overmatch the inherent kickass value of the Dumas novel [which is, it can therefore be said, greater than the sum of its parts, both obsessive-compulsive (The Count) and mouth-wat...more

318 likes · like · see review

Mar 24, 2012 Richard rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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 assist...more

22 likes · like · see review

Apr 18, 2010 Cynthia rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: everyone

Shelves: dumas-et-al

** Spoiler alert**

First, make sure you find a copy that is unabridged. Most editions in English ARE abridged, but usually don't say they are. Not sure if this Penguin edition is, it's not the one i read.
Readers generally think of this as a tale of revenge. For me, it was much deeper. I'm not a religious person at all, but for me this is a book that makes you question the existence of God or a god. Edmond Dantes is without flaw, a truly good person, and his life is ruined because a) others envy...more

141 likes · like · see review

Oct 11, 2011 Mariel rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Jeremy Irons

Recommended to Mariel by: the candy bar

Celebrity Death Match.

One, two, three, four... Ohhh, my lady... I will ride in and rescue you, my sweeet laaady, let nothing happen to my sweet laddddy... Horse and carriage of fiiire, let me ride you like I'm your horse and your knight in shining armour... sweet, sweet, sweeeet! laaaaaady-

The three heroic heart throbs who inspire damsels to enter distress stop bumping and gyrating in choreographed rehearsed synchronicity. Athos sings "lady" a touch too long and is angry to be embarrassed and in...more

18 likes · like · see review

Nov 06, 2008 Abigail rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Anyone Considering Revenge / Readers Who Like a Good Adventure Story

Shelves: literature-classics

Review Temporarily Removed.

15 likes · like · see review

Jan 19, 2012 Kim rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, all-time-favourites, french-language

They don't write novels like this anymore. That's because they make television drama series and soap operas instead. To my mind, this novel is the 19th Century equivalent of a long-running and compelling television series. I can readily imagine being a reader of the Journal des Débats between August 1844 and January 1846, impatiently waiting for the next installment of Le Comte de Monte Cristo to be published, eagerly discussing each installment with my friends around the 19th Century equivalent...more

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May 19, 2008 J rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

What does it say about me as a critic when the best book I’ve read all year was first serialized in the 1840s? From start to finish thoroughly enjoyable, Alexandre Dumas’ 1200 page revenge epic The Count of Monte Cristo wastes little time in not thrusting the plot along, quite violently so at times, and includes within a brief, sketchy history of the return of Napoleon and his subsequent second defeat, a primer on hashish, and a proto-seed for the detective tale that would later blossom under Po...more

68 likes · like · see review

Nov 18, 2011 Joe rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 101-of-1001, classics, favorites, mlis-book-club, own

Every soap opera ever produced owes an enormous amount of debt to The Count of Monte Cristo, a sprawling, messy, over-the-top, gleefully melodramatic bitchslap fest.

In fact, I propose that the grandest of bitchslaps be henceforth referred to as a Monte Cristo Bitchslap because of the masterful manner in which Edmond Dantès delivers one colossal bitchslap after another to all who wronged him. And to those who wronged him by association? Thou shalt also receive a furious bitchslap! Clemency shall...more

53 likes · like · see review

Feb 09, 2008 Chris rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: classics

Why did no one tell me about this book? I mean seriously, I was about a hundred pages in and I wanted to go find my freshman high school English teacher and inflict terrible, intricate revenge on her for depriving me of a great book. I figured first I could assume a new identity, perhaps insinuating myself into her life. I'd make her trust me and put all her faith in me, and then I would UTTERLY CRUSH HER!!! MWAH-HA-HA-HA!!!!

Seriously, this was an awesome book. I am not a big fan of the Classics...more

67 likes · like · see review

Jan 11, 2013 Tracey rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ahoy-there, audio

This = long. But it's a long book.

The spoiler-free short version: The Count of Monte Cristo is an extraordinary, long, complex (as in, takes a large chart to keep relationships straight) work with a very simple story idea: a young man is horribly wronged, emerges from prison with a new life and a vast fortune, and uses that plus his very good mind to wreak vengeance on the people who ruined his life. It's fantastic, in every meaning of the word; it's different from what I expected and from near...more

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Jan 31, 2011 Flannery rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: classics, favorites, i-want-to-go-to-there

Ahhh, life is good on my private island. It's nice and quiet. I've got my copy of The Count of Monte Cristoand a bottomless cup of refreshing water. Don't worry about me though, because if you look carefully, there is a hole on the island. But it isn't just a hole--it's a portal like the wardrobe in The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe that leads to a cute little cabin in the woods with a library, a bathroom, and a huge comfortable bed. And enchiladas...lots of enchiladas. I guess Conor Larkin fr...more

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May 02, 2011 Kris rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: own-it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Our book club read The Count of Monte Cristo during December/January. I chose the unabridged version (1200+ pages), but it was worth it! This version (published by Penguin) was recently translated, so the language wasn't stilted or awkward. It was quite easy to read.

For those of you who aren't familiar with this book, it takes place in the early 1800's in France. The hero is Edmond Dantes, who is a dashing young sailor when we first meet him. However, he has an enemy who is jealous of his good f...more Our book club read The Count of Monte Cristo during December/January. I chose the unabridged version (1200+ pages), but it was worth it! This version (published by Penguin) was recently translated, so the language wasn't stilted or awkward. It was quite easy to read.

For those of you who aren't familiar with this book, it takes place in the early 1800's in France. The hero is Edmond Dantes, who is a dashing young sailor when we first meet him. However, he has an enemy who is jealous of his good fortune, and this enemy puts into motion the steps that will find poor Edmond falsely accused of treason and sentenced to life in prison in a dungeon. While imprisoned, Edmond connects with a fellow prisoner, who is tunneling out for an escape. This other prisoner is a learned Abbe, and educates Edmond in literature, science, language, psychology, philosophy, etc. The Abbe becomes so attached to Edmond that he tells him of a secret cache of uncountable riches. Edmond manages to escape (in a most daring and spine-tingling manner), and finds this treasure - on the island of Monte Cristo. With his riches, Edmond plans to reward those who were kind to him and his family during this ordeal, and to punish those who imprisoned him. Of course, no one knows who he is, as he now calls himself 'The Count of Monte Cristo'.

The book is essentially in three parts: the first part where Edmond is in prison, the second part where he rewards those who were kind to him, and the last part where he gets his revenge. This last part was the most entertaining for me - Edmond doesn't just want revenge, he wants to make them suffer for a long, long time. It's very interesting to see him set up these elaborate situations that basically enable each of enemy to be undone by his own foibles - greed, money, power. When each man falls, it's pretty impressive.

I also learned a lot about French society at the time, as well as some Napoleonic history. I was surprised at the amount of sex in the book, given when it was written. While the sex is not explicit, there's a lot of it happening, and not between married couples! There's even a lesbian character. Somehow I thought that books of that era were pretty G-rated. But, maybe not in France!

If you do read it, I suggest you find some way to track the characters and their relationships with one another. Silly me, while I was reading it I didn't think to look online for such an aid, so I mapped out my own diagram. Now I've found a very good diagram here.

I also read some commentaries about the novel, and about its style. Dantes is a perfect example of a Romantic hero: dashing, talented and possessing skills above the norm. And the novel is an example of a Romantic novel, where the hero overcomes all, and everything gets wrapped up into a happy ending.

Definitely a good read - all 1200+ pages!!
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Feb 02, 2012 Mike (the Paladin) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: classics

I enjoyed this one probably more than Dumas' other books. Just me of course. High adventure and drama, revenge and love (lost and otherwise). Dumas at his best.

I came across Dumas first when I was in high school or Jr. high (I don't suppose that term is used anymore is it? Jr. high was 7th and 8th grade). No it wasn't required reading, it was an old copy of The Three Musketeers I found at my Grandmother's. Since then I've read other of his works and like a lot of people I had to learn that the "...more

9 likes · like · see review

Jun 17, 2011 Anastasia rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: classici, francia, 5-stars

"Oh, diamine. Io non so proprio cosa dire su questo capolavoro! Se cerco dentro di me la prima voce che emerge è un ringraziamento. Un umile ringraziamento. L'avrete provata anche voi quella sorta di gratitudine nel ripercorrere tutta la storia dopo aver letto l'ultima pagina.
No, no.. Un passo indietro, và.
Di solito prima c'è quello strano silenzio immobile, si è intontiti e tutto sembra inverosimile. Poi, almeno nel mio caso, si sorride come inebetiti. E poi c'è quella gratitudine, più profond...more "Oh, diamine. Io non so proprio cosa dire su questo capolavoro! Se cerco dentro di me la prima voce che emerge è un ringraziamento. Un umile ringraziamento. L'avrete provata anche voi quella sorta di gratitudine nel ripercorrere tutta la storia dopo aver letto l'ultima pagina.
No, no.. Un passo indietro, và.
Di solito prima c'è quello strano silenzio immobile, si è intontiti e tutto sembra inverosimile. Poi, almeno nel mio caso, si sorride come inebetiti. E poi c'è quella gratitudine, più profonda o meno dipende dall'esperienza appena conclusa.

Non andrò a commentare la storia in sé, è talmente lunga che il minimo accenno sarebbe già un'anticipazione indesiderata a chi non ha ancora affrontato l'opera di Dumas. Quindici anni circa compressi in 960 pagine. 960 pagine belle, tutte quante. Non c'è n'è una che possa valere meno di un'altra. Non c'è del superfluo, sono tutte necessarie. Ogni personaggio è umano, primo di tutti il caro Conte di Montecristo. Forse molto di più degli altri. E' un personaggio che, se avrete voglia di dedicare tempo a questo libro, vi affascinerà. Sono sicura che imparerete a volergli bene. E di un po' d'amore ne ha davvero bisogno, lui. Per me è diventato uno degli affetti più importanti fra i miei personaggi letterari preferiti. La sua è un'avventura coinvolgente, commovente a tratti ed estremamente vera nei sentimenti.
Dumas ha saputo tessere una trama intricata, un reticolato talmente ben elaborato da stupire. Qui non basta un colpo di genio, qui il nostro autore, per me almeno, ha dovuto riflettere, riflettere, cercare di combinare il tutto nel migliore dei modi per servirvi un piatto il più gustoso possibile. Una lode al suo lavoro e sopratutto al personaggio che ha creato, che dopo duecento anni raccoglie nella cerchia un'altra affezionata. Spero che saprà farsi altri amici nel corso del tempo. Spero davvero che questo libro viva, viva ancora trasportato dalle memorie dei suoi lettori.
Oh, giusto. Non esiste solo il Conte, pff! Anzi, ce ne sono a bizzeffe di personaggi! Ognuno ha i suoi meriti. C'è chi ne ha di meno e chi di più, ma ogni personaggio è stato costruito con attenzione. Balzerete da una famiglia all'altra, magari desiderando per un momento rimanere fra i vostri favoriti, ma è inevitabile! Non c'è tempo, bisogna continuare assolutamente! Ad un certo punto sembra davvero di essere sballonzolati da una parte all'altra, magari con qualche scossa. Però ne vale la pena, eheh.

Importante è anche ciò che Edmondo Dantés si premura di dirvi, dopo aver raccontato la sua storia. Un messaggio importante, molto importante, ed altro motivo di gratitudine verso questa lettura. Perché questo messaggio è forse ciò che c'è di più utile proprio ora, per noi giovani e per chiunque altro.
Per chi è ancora non conosce le pagine di questo libro, io spero davvero che un giorno prenderà coraggio (se il volume vi spaventa) e partirà per quest'avventura! Credetemi, tornere a casa soddisfatti. ;) Leggetelo per scoprire Edmondo Dantés, leggetelo per contemplare il reticolato di Dumas, leggetelo per vivere fra i sobborghi di Parigi e fra le vite dei suoi personaggi.
Insomma, leggetelo e basta! :D (less)

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Jul 18, 2012 Hope rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: classics, i-like-big-books-and-i-cannot-lie, 2011-reads, best-characters, reviewed, french, to-reread-someday

There is something so comforting about a classic. I don’t know if it’s just me? But whenever I get my hands on a classic novel, I suddenly feel like I’m home in the world of books. This is where I grew to love stories, this is the place where I am completely content and I continue to read not simply because I must know what happens next--there’s something so slow and waltzing about a classic, no matter how deep and complex the plot--it’s because of how the words feel; soothing and contenting, li...more

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Jun 30, 2008 Bakeshow rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I really think that this is the way I'm going to die. This book is going to kill me...

Ok, So after more than two months of sheer torture, pulling teeth would have been more enjoyable, I finished this book! I hated it! I hate it I hate it I hate it!

Ok, actually, it wasn't all that bad. The first like, 30 chapters totally sucked me in and got me into it. I loved it and was sad I hadn't discovered it before. But then, he goes off on a 40 chapter tangent that just doesn't matter! There was waaaay to...more I really think that this is the way I'm going to die. This book is going to kill me...

Ok, So after more than two months of sheer torture, pulling teeth would have been more enjoyable, I finished this book! I hated it! I hate it I hate it I hate it!

Ok, actually, it wasn't all that bad. The first like, 30 chapters totally sucked me in and got me into it. I loved it and was sad I hadn't discovered it before. But then, he goes off on a 40 chapter tangent that just doesn't matter! There was waaaay too much description for my taste. He takes 50 pages to say what I could say in a paragraph. I know it was written in serials... and blah blah blah.. I just don't have the attention span for it.

I actually quit about a third of the way through the book and got it on CD to see if that would help. I still wanted to poke my eyes out. It's not even really about the Count. It spends more time on the substories and their intricate plots. I thought they were cool, and I liked how they were resolved. But it was just annoying.

I was more than halfway through the book and he was still introducing plots and characters... when I'm halfway through a book, I want to be into THE STORY.. it took too long to GET there. Argh...

AND I hated the end. I know it's a differnt time and things were acceptable that aren't really now.. but ending up with the 16 year old? Really? sick. So much for true love and finding a way to make it work with Mercedes.

I did love the poison plot though. I mean, I knew who it was from the get go, but it was still cool, though a little too Romeo and Juliet-ish for me. Only, it ended well instead of the lovers dying.. (almost though, whew!)

My friend who read if for the same book club I did, read the abridged version. 40 chapters less and hundreds of pages. What does that say about this book? that there is an entire full length novel's worth of unimportant drivel that does not add to the story.

Would I recommend it? You wouldn't think by this review, but yes, I would. But just go into it knowing that it's really wordy. A lot like this review. (less)

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Nov 10, 2012 April rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: anyone!

Shelves: own, bbc-s-the-big-read, classics

Reading an abridged book is like eating cake without frosting. You don't really need the frosting, but the frosting is what gives a cake it's delicious flavor. The Count of Monte Cristo is a book which ought to be read unabridged, if only for the richness and flavor of the text. The evolution of Edmond Dantes from sailor to prisoner to Count of Monte Cristo is enthralling. Alexander Dumas's book is captivating. It is hard to set aside CoMC, as the characters are extremely interesting and well-de...more

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Sep 30, 2011 Manny marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: celebrity-death-match

For the Celebrity Death Match Review Tournament, Les Trois Mousquetaires (31) versus The Count of Monte Cristo (15)

- Untie the prisoner. Edmond Dantès, the court is now in session.

- Hey! What kind of kangaroo court is this! And what are the charges anyway?

- Look, Dantès, we're all Dumas characters. Only one of us can progress to the next round, so it better be the cooler ones, right? We're charging you with being less cool than Les Trois Mousquetaires.

- I'm plenty cool! I'm...

- Yeah, yeah, we kn...more

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Jan 16, 2009 Becky rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Everyone

Shelves: classics, owned, 2009, reviewed, historical-fiction

Wow. This book was amazing.

I love well-written classics, and this one fits the bill perfectly. Granted, there were some discrepancies, mainly to do with time and ages (saying Mercedes had a portrait of herself done when she was 25 when she really would have been 32, etc), but if I had not been reading this edition, I probably would not have noticed those things. In any event, it did not detract from the story at all.

Pretty much everyone knows what The Count of Monte Cristo is about, so this is...more Wow. This book was amazing.

I love well-written classics, and this one fits the bill perfectly. Granted, there were some discrepancies, mainly to do with time and ages (saying Mercedes had a portrait of herself done when she was 25 when she really would have been 32, etc), but if I had not been reading this edition, I probably would not have noticed those things. In any event, it did not detract from the story at all.

Pretty much everyone knows what The Count of Monte Cristo is about, so this isn't going to be a rehash of the plot, but rather the feelings that I had while reading it.

I first have to say that I was enthralled with this book from start to finish. It took me 9 days to read, but I think that if I was not as addicted to Goodreads as I am, I'd have probably finished in half that time.

I'm glad that I read the unabridged version of this story. I'm glad that I was persistent in wanting to experience the nuance of this book, because it was worth it. I'm sure that the abridged editions are exciting, but that's like eating a Hershey's kiss when you could be eating the finest Belgian chocolate. There is just no comparison.

Poor Edmond Dantes broke my heart. After his arrest, when he is taken to prison and spends the entire first night standing in the middle of his cell, crying and alone, it broke my heart. To know that people could be so cruel broke my heart and I wanted revenge for him.

His relationship with Abbe Faria made me happy, because it made Edmond happy. I couldn't imagine the kind of torture it must be like to never be able to speak to another person. So, for being subjected to that fate, on a whim, I prayed for him to get his revenge.

I was glad when he did, and it was a beautiful thing. Intricately woven, well planned, and executed perfectly. At times, I felt that The Count was a bit cruel, but I realize that it was necessary for him to detach himself from those whose punishment he was delivering. Danglars got off easiest, which did slightly disappoint me, as he was the mastermind behind Dantes misfortune, but I understand Dantes decision in allowing him to live, and I think that it was the right one. Danglars will, until his dying day, know what forgiveness and mercy is, and wonder why he should have been granted his pardon when by all rights Dantes could have made him suffer endlessly. I hope it drives him mad.

But listen to me... I'm talking about these people as if they are real. They felt real. I had dreams about this story, and reading it wasn't so much reading as experiencing.

I would highly recommend this book. If you haven't already read it, do so. Now.

...Why are you still reading this? (less)

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Mar 05, 2013 Kathleen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed, fiction

I read this in high school, in the original French, because we had to, but I liked it so much I also read it in English. Even without the movie (5 stars, but different), the story stuck with me...all the bitter angst! His poor heart, so afraid to trust again, so tormented by rage and vengeance.

As a young adult on the cusp of a good career at sea, Dantès goes to prison for life, in the dungeons of the Chateau d'If, framed and betrayed by his jealous "friends" and sentenced by a self-interested ma...more

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Mar 24, 2013 Sakura87 rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: autori-francesi, classici, ottocento, favorites, drammatico, classici-challenge, extralarge-challenge

"Insensato!", disse. "Mi dovevo svellere il cuore il giorno in cui decisi di vendicarmi!"

Non lasciatevi spaventare dalla mole, né dal secolo in cui è stato scritto.
Questo è un romanzo che potrete portarvi a letto, sotto l’ombrellone, sulla tazza del wc, spaparanzati nella vostra poltrona preferita. Un romanzo dal nome altisonante che potrete sfoggiare con orgoglio sul tram, in una sala d’aspetto, su una panchina del parco.

Dumas è senza dubbio il genio dei romanzi d’appendice. Se questi erano i f...more "Insensato!", disse. "Mi dovevo svellere il cuore il giorno in cui decisi di vendicarmi!"

Non lasciatevi spaventare dalla mole, né dal secolo in cui è stato scritto.
Questo è un romanzo che potrete portarvi a letto, sotto l’ombrellone, sulla tazza del wc, spaparanzati nella vostra poltrona preferita. Un romanzo dal nome altisonante che potrete sfoggiare con orgoglio sul tram, in una sala d’aspetto, su una panchina del parco.

Dumas è senza dubbio il genio dei romanzi d’appendice. Se questi erano i feuilleton, all’epoca, argh, non so cosa siano questi fogli di carta stampata che si vendono oggigiorno.
Fatto sta che questo è un ottimo libro. Dal punto di vista storico, dal punto di vista politico, dal punto di vista umano. Presenta una moltitudine di personaggi vivi, che agiscono spinti da passioni estreme: invidia, cupidigia, amore, vendetta.
Edmond Dantès è semplicemente un personaggio da colpo di fulmine: spinto dalla gioia di vivere che la sua età gli permette, dall’amore verso la sua bella fidanzata, accecato dalla fiducia nei confronti del suo migliore amico, cade dalla felicità più alta agli abissi più reconditi della crudeltà umana. Tradimento, ingenuità, e anche un pizzico di sfortuna: ed eccolo gettato in una profonda segreta nel Castel d’If, privato anche di un regolare processo per un reato di bonapartismo di cui non si è mai macchiato. Quattordici anni di prigionia. Probabilmente chiunque perderebbe il senno, in uno squallido buco in cui non penetra mai la luce: ma Dantès no. Dantès risveglia la sua mente: e passa in rassegna tutti i suoi ricordi, tutte le sue conoscenze. Qualunque cosa, pur di non pensare alla sua condizione.
Dantès riemerge dagli abissi dell’inferno a trentaquattro anni. Ricco, libero (grazie al suo ingegno e all’aiuto dell’abate Faria), e spietato. Ed ecco che il romanzo storico si trasforma in romanzo di vendetta: con lucida premeditazione, sfruttando la sua nuova incommensurabile ricchezza che prostra ai suoi piedi uomini e istituzioni, Edmond, adesso Conte di Montecristo, pianifica con lucida perfidia un complotto che priverà coloro che hanno cospirato alle sue spalle di tutto ciò che amano. Ricchezze, famiglia, serenità. E forse anche della vita.
Impossibile non innamorarsi di questa figura misteriosa per tutti ma non per noi. Noi che conosciamo il suo passato, i suoi desideri, ma non riusciamo a prevedere i suoi piani. Noi che divoriamo pagina dopo pagina i suoi pensieri, assimiliamo i personaggi, tifiamo per uno e proviamo antipatia per l’altro, ci infuriamo, ci commuoviamo, sospiriamo di sollievo. Ma sempre, sempre, sempre, sentiamo il cuore traboccare di compassione e complicità nei confronti del nostro amato Edmond Dantès. Un personaggio che ti si incastona nel cuore senza possibilità di separazione, come pochi altri.
Il conte di Montecristo è un catalogo delle infinite sfaccettature dell’essere umano. Mostra la vittoria della ragione sul sentimento, che pure si prende le sue piccole rivincite. Mostra come la vendetta sia un piatto che va servito freddo. Mostra come la sorte dell’uomo sia continuamente in bilico, e com’egli possa cadere dal più alto dei trionfi alla peggiore delle sorti. Mostra come l’umana saggezza stia tutta in due parole: aspettare e sperare.

Rilettura -in una nuova, bramata edizione- del mio classico preferito.
Recensione pubblicata anche su http://www.lastambergadeilettori.com/...(less)

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Jul 05, 2012 Ivana rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I would call this one a strange mix of soap opera and philosophical. It is very entertaining to read, I certainly see why Dumas' works has such an appeal for the movie industry. I've read somewhere that around 200 movies are based on his works. He is a writer that is very good with plots, subplots and things like that. If the story does not always sound completely credible, he does have a way of making it sound plausible- or at least fun to read.

I started reading The Count of Monte Christo a lo...more

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Feb 11, 2011 Runa rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It has been while since I reread "The Count of Monte Cristo," but when someone forces me to tell them what my favorite book is, I usually answer with this one.

There's something about this book that draws me in every time I reread it. Dumas' characters in this novel (especially the lead character) are intricate and multifaceted. I found myself sympathizing heavily with the lead character (come on, we all know good people who get screwed everyday) because not only does he suffer a monumental wrong...more

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Jan 24, 2010 Erin Webb rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

I read this book in high school and absolutely loved it! It was emblazoned in my mind as one of my favorite books ever! It's funny because then I saw the movie a few times over the last few years and knew that so much was changed from the book. As I went back to the book over the past few weeks, I realized my mind had totally adopted the "movie" version of this amazing story. What a bummer! I'm so glad I re-read this classic! There's so much more to the story! It's truly an amazing book and a st...more

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Aug 07, 2012 Gaijinmama rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: classics, fiction, 2012-tbr

This is 1200 pages long and took me nearly four months to read but it was definitely worth the time. The characters are memorable, the language is brilliant, and the details of 19th-century European history are fascinating.
I think fiction that inspires me to do some research is most awesomely awesome.
Most importantly, though, we have a damn good story here. As an English teacher, I am compelled to come up with a theme, and I'd have to say it is that what goes around, comes around. If you ruin an...more

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Jul 15, 2008 Idle Hippo rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: classic, book-to-movies, all-time-favorit

Do you believe in karma?

So, okay, sometimes intentionally or not we make an awful, rash, bad, or wrong decisions. Decisions we pretty much recognize we're going to grieve over afterwards (sooner or later)
But still...
Once in a blue moon, something deep down inside us decides to conduct an unwise and brainless thing, a thing we conscioulsy aware will doubtless turn around and kick us in the ass! yet we do it anyway...

What I'm trying to say to say is..
We reap what we sow.
What comes around goes arou...more

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Mar 11, 2008 Olivia rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Olivia by: English class

Shelves: classic, historical-fiction

An essay for English-again, not that great.

The classic French novel, The Count of Monte Cristo was written by Alexandre Dumas. The setting of The Count of Monte Cristo is very important as the politics of the day greatly affect the plot. It takes place primarily in France after the exile of the former emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte. The novel begins in 1815 with Napoleon exiled to Elba and continues through the years after his failed revolution to1844.

The protagonist of The Count of Monte Cristo...more An essay for English-again, not that great.

The classic French novel, The Count of Monte Cristo was written by Alexandre Dumas. The setting of The Count of Monte Cristo is very important as the politics of the day greatly affect the plot. It takes place primarily in France after the exile of the former emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte. The novel begins in 1815 with Napoleon exiled to Elba and continues through the years after his failed revolution to1844.

The protagonist of The Count of Monte Cristo is Edmond Dantes, a naïve but good-hearted sailor, who is falsely accused of treason. He is employed by the honest owner of a shipping company, Monsieur Morrel. Count of Monte Cristo is one of several aliases a bitter Dantes adopts after his imprisonment. Before he is arrested, Dantes lives with his father, Louis Dantes, and is engaged to marry a beautiful girl, Mercedes. Mercedes is admired by and later marries Fernand Mondego, one of the men who conspire against Dantes. Mondego is aided in framing Dantes by Danglars, an envious sailor who was passed over for a promotion given to Dantes and Gerard de Villefort, an ambitious prosecutor with the misfortune of having a Bonapartist father. While in prison, Dantes befriends a fellow prisoner, Abbe Faria, who becomes his mentor. Dantes is greatly affected by Abbe Faria; it is he who helps Dantes discover the plot against him, teaches him science and several languages, provides his great wealth and enables his escape from Chateau Dif. After his escape, Dantes meets children of both his friends and enemies from his life before his incarceration. Maximilian Morrel is a good man and the son of Dantes’s former employer, Monsieur Morrel. Maximilian is in love with a kind, young girl, Valentine de Villefort daughter of Gerard de Villefort- the prosecutor who sentenced Edmond. Albert de Morcerf, a spoiled but loyal young man, is the son of Dantes’s former fiancée, Mercedes, and his nemesis, Fernand Mondego. Then there is Haydee, the slave girl Dantes grows to love whose tragic history is vital to the ruining of Fernand Mondego.

The Count of Monte Cristo is the story of Edmond Dantes, a kind sailor who is imprisoned under false charges of treason. After fourteen years in the prison Chateau Dif, Dantes escapes, but he is irreversibly altered. He is no longer naïve and ignorant but learned, callous and thirsty for vengeance. Dantes acquires a great deal of wealth and makes new names for himself: Lord Wilmore, Abbe Busoni, Sinbad the Sailor and Count of Monte Cristo. As he plans the downfall of his betrayers, Dantes discovers that by destroying them he has allowed himself to become as evil as they. After this epiphany, he repents and extends mercy to his remaining enemy. In the end, he returns to Chateau Dif, to visit his cell and is finally able to let go of his bitterness and find peace.

The climax of the story is the success of the Count of Monte Cristo’s meticulous quest for revenge against the people responsible for robbing him of his happiness by sending him to prison. While he was imprisoned, Edmond Dantes vowed that he would have vengeance against the people who put him there. Thus, from the moment he escapes, his entire focus is on ruining the lives of these individuals as thoroughly as they ruined his. He continues along this path without remorse until his plans go wrong, and he unintentionally causes the death of Monsieur de Villefort’s young son. This sobering event forces him to realize his own cruelty.

An important theme in The Count of Monte Cristo is the Count’s struggle with his God-complex. Consumed by his desire for revenge, the Count feels that he alone can see that justice is done against Villefort, Caderousse, Danglars, and Fernand, and he is completely unscrupulous in his methods of carrying it out. He decides who deserves to live and who deserves to die and plans their demise accordingly. The Count sees all the hypocrisy and cruelty in others and punishes them for it, but he sees none of these vices in himself. Toward the end of the novel, the Count understands that he is not immune to human weakness and that by seeking revenge against these people he is behaving as mercilessly and selfishly to them as they were to him.

The Count of Monte Cristo is not my favorite book, but it is not my least favorite either. There are aspects of The Count of Monte Cristo that I think Dumas executed marvelously. The plot, for instance, is amazingly detailed, and the characterization is wonderful. Dumas had so many characters in this novel, yet he was able to make each one unique and portray them in such a way that we, the readers, understand them and their motivations. I love character driven stories so, for me, connecting with and understanding the characters is the most important facet of a story. The Count of Monte Cristo has several great, round characters, even if they are not my personal favorite. Overall, I enjoyed it and would recommend it to others.
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May 14, 2011 idpramudita rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

Genius. Breathtaking. I am so amazed with the writer's capability to create such complicated but interesting story. Once I have finished, I watched the movie. But it disappoint me. Same title but different story. The novel is much much better I think.

Kita menuai apa yang kita tanam. Pepatah tersebut terasa lekat dalam novel ini. Cerita mengisahkan tentang seorang pelaut muda yang jujur, berani, dan penuh semangat bernama Edmon Dantes. Di usia 19 tahun, ia akan segera menikahi kekasih cantiknya,...more Genius. Breathtaking. I am so amazed with the writer's capability to create such complicated but interesting story. Once I have finished, I watched the movie. But it disappoint me. Same title but different story. The novel is much much better I think.

Kita menuai apa yang kita tanam. Pepatah tersebut terasa lekat dalam novel ini. Cerita mengisahkan tentang seorang pelaut muda yang jujur, berani, dan penuh semangat bernama Edmon Dantes. Di usia 19 tahun, ia akan segera menikahi kekasih cantiknya, Mercedes, sekaligus diangkat menjadi kapten kapal Pharaon. Namun, pada hari pernikahannya, ia mendadak dituduh dan dimasukkan ke penjara. Secara misterius, jaksa penuntut umum Villefort menjebloskan Dantes ke penjara Château d'If, yaitu penjara untuk kriminal kelas berat.

Di tengah deritanya, nasib baik masih melongok Dantes. Kehadiran seorang tahanan bernama Abbe Faria membukakan mata Dantes akan adanya suatu persekongkolan. Dalam dingin dan gelapnya sel bawah tanah itu pula Dantes mempelajari segala sesuatu yang kelak sangat berguna. Suatu rahasia yang diberikan oleh Faria menambah lengkap amunisi Dantes untuk balas dendam. Hingga pada suatu ketika nama Dantes lenyap dan muncul nama baru, yaitu The Count of Monte Cristo yang segera menjadi populer di kalangan masyarakat Paris.

Sebagian besar setting novel mengambil lokasi di Paris dan Marseille pada tahun 1815, yaitu saat Napoleon Bonaparte berhasil melarikan diri dari Pulau Elba. Dumas lincah menuntun pembaca menyaksikan setiap detil langkah Dantes untuk balas dendam. Hampir setiap halaman mampu membuat pembaca menahan napas, tegang, dan akhirnya (saya) membaca cepat atau mengintip halaman berikutnya untuk memenuhi rasa penasaran lalu kembali lagi ke halaman semula. Kecerdasan penulis pula yang membuat tokoh-tokoh yang semula (menurut kita) tidak kenal menjadi saling terhubung karena sebuah peristiwa. Bahkan, saya sering merenung sejenak untuk mengingat yang mana si A yang melakukan B yang berhubungan dengan C. Penulis tahu betul saat yang tepat untuk menyimpan lalu menghadirkan "bom" dalam sebuah adegan. Padahal, banyak sekali “bom” di novel ini yang membuat saya tercengang sekaligus kagum akan kepiawaian penulis.

Bentang Pustaka menggarap alih bahasa novel ini dengan menghadirkan penerjemah senior, yakni Nin Bakdi Soemanto, istri dari Bakdi Soemanto, sebuah nama yang tidak asing lagi di dunia sastra. Terjemahan bahasa Indonesianya masih berbau sastra. Saya sering membaca ulang satu kalimat yang panjangnya bisa mencapai 5 baris untuk memahami maknanya. Untungnya, tanda baca yang benar sangat membantu untuk memahami kalimat panjang tersebut. Namun sayang masih terdapat beberapa typo di novel ini.

Rumit. Cerdas. Sempurna.
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Jan 14, 2013 Alexandru Bîtcă rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

- Tu n-ai citit Graf dă Monte Cristo??!! o_O
- Nu…
- Vabșe deloc?! O_O
- Așa, un volum în rusă, da-mi era greu că eram ceva mai mititel…
- Ș de-atunci n-ai mai citit?!!!!
- Acum citesc.
- Mda… herova.

Un dialog obișnuit atunci când de prin clasa a 5-a până în prezent atingeam în vreun fel subiectul romanului lui Dumas. Îți dai seama ce prost mă simțeam? Da' de astăzi gata! Mi-am spălat cu niște nopți nedormite numele pătat de rușinea ignoranței! Am fost dezonorat, dar mi-am rebilitat numele! Am c...more - Tu n-ai citit Graf dă Monte Cristo??!! o_O
- Nu…
- Vabșe deloc?! O_O
- Așa, un volum în rusă, da-mi era greu că eram ceva mai mititel…
- Ș de-atunci n-ai mai citit?!!!!
- Acum citesc.
- Mda… herova.

Un dialog obișnuit atunci când de prin clasa a 5-a până în prezent atingeam în vreun fel subiectul romanului lui Dumas. Îți dai seama ce prost mă simțeam? Da' de astăzi gata! Mi-am spălat cu niște nopți nedormite numele pătat de rușinea ignoranței! Am fost dezonorat, dar mi-am rebilitat numele! Am citit Contele de Monte Cristo și e rândul meu să-i condamn pe toți necărturarii și semidocții din Republică.

Dar, să mă-ntorc în trecut. Prima oară am auzit de cartea asta de la mama, cred… Apoi nu știu cum am prins câteva frânturi dintr-un film, cred… Oricum, ideea e că mi s-a format un 'to do' și o impresie că ăsta va fi romanul romanelor. Atunci, când încă nu-mi prea ocupam timpul cu cititul, mama împrumutase de la o colegă vestitele 3 volume sovietice din Graf de Monte Cristo. Vreo 4 luni m-am trudit să dau gata măcar primul volum, apoi cărțile au stat pe raft, vreo 2 ani. A trebuit să le întorc.

Acum, că tot au apărut într-o nouă colecție accesibilă, am lăsat să aștepte toate celelalte lecturi și am citit romanul. Impresii? Nu încape îndoială că e a doua operă monument citită în 2012 (2013 nu se pune), asta după Mizerabilii. Din 'recenziile' unor prieteni am înțeles că ar fi fost foarte bine s-o citit mai înainte că acum poate să nu mă prindă. Mă bucur să le dărâm convingerea. E o carte formidabilă, un colos al literaturii universale. La fiecare alt nod în firul narativ, Dumas te obligă să pornești în cap scenarii și posibilități, care deseori se realizau. Însă nu poți spune că era previzibil. Aici trebuie să-i apreciez meritul autorului de a crea suspans chiar și în momentele când știi cum se vor desfășura acțiunile. Drept confirmare servește iritarea și enervarea mea când ziarul responsabil de colecția A. Dumas a intrat în concediu după ce a scos al 3-lea volum și abia mai târziu urma să apară ultimul. A fost cea mai urâtă intrare în noul an (din punct de vedere literar, normal).

Multe ar fi de spus, dar astea sunt deja subiecte bine păstrate pentru beții și pilde plicticoase de care mă simt îndatorat să mă folosesc. Până atunci: Tu n-ai citit Graf dă Monte Cristo?!(less)

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Oct 13, 2011 Anzu The Great Destroyer rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: cool people

Shelves: buddy-or-group-read, el-clasico, reviewed-2011

I have to say that I actually loved the book until after he escaped. The rest turned out mostly into unnecessary details filled with just a little bit of a plot. His revenge turned out less bloody than I expected it to be and the ending was - excuse me Mr. Dumas I respect you but I have to share my feelings - stupid. It’s obvious that I prefer how things went in the movie and not the book.

I’ll give it four stars though. Why? Because compared to other classics the count of Monte Cristo was a gre...more

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About Alexandre Dumas

This note regards Alexandre Dumas, père, the father of Alexandre Dumas, fils (son). For the son, see Alexandre Dumas fils.

Alexandre Dumas, père (French for "father", akin to Senior in English), born Dumas Davy de la Pailleterie, was a French writer, best known for his numerous historical novels of high adventure which have made him one of the most widely read French authors in the world. Many of h...more

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The Man in the Iron Mask (The D'Artagnan Romances, #5)

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“Woman is sacred; the woman one loves is holy.” — 638 people liked it

“I am not proud, but I am happy; and happiness blinds, I think, more than pride.” — 430 people liked it

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