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The Count of Monte Cristo (Great Illustrated Classics)

Mitsu Yamamoto (Adapter),

Alexandre Dumas

4.38 · Rating details · 2,314 ratings · 101 reviews

A young sailor returns home from a dangerous voyage. His father and his sweetheart are waiting for him. But an act of jealous treachery changes his life forever! An unexpected meeting changes everything and the man who was once an unknown sailor emerges as The Count of Monte Cristo, mysterious, rich, and powerful enough to take the ultimate revenge against his enemies. Ret ...more

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Hardcover, 236 pages

Published 2005 by AST (first published 1979)

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· 2,314 ratings · 101 reviews

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Apr 02, 2019 Amy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I really liked this book. I've heard So STINKIN MUCH ABOUT IT that I had to read it for myself. I'm so glad I finally did.

~My thoughts~
1. This is a historical goodie! *not true story, btw*
2. It was a relish of the moral JUSTICE. After Edmund Dantes is attacked by three mongrels who ruin his life, he finally gets revenge.
3. It was an easy fun read.
4. I love the illustrations
5. Characters were well developed and the plot flowed nicely.
6. I recommend this to kids, I would recommend a less abridge ...more

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May 19, 2019 Hilery rated it really liked it · review of another edition

My 10 year old and I enjoyed reading this one.

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Jul 19, 2020 Quincy Carroll rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jun 09, 2012 Mitchell rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: classics

I read this book last summer and I absolutely loved it. It is a super long read (1400+ pages I think?), but it is totally worth it. Dumas plays the long game here and sets up loads and loads of intricately woven plot lines that at the time seem insubstantial or negligible, but in the end all get woven together to form an incredible tapestry. It easily has the most satisfying ending that I have ever read. The character's are pretty great too. Monte Cristo always seems aloof and high class through ...more

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May 25, 2020 Sadhbh Rubinson rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I have always wanted to know this story. However, the original text is such a huge under taking. This condensed version accomplished what I wanted: learn the story of the Count of Monte Cristo & provide a fun read. ...more

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Nov 26, 2012 Sienna rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This book was well written, intriguing, and just great. It will definitely go down as one of my favorite books.
If you're a person who preferes books in which the lead is a near-to-perfect being, this book might not be for you. Although Dantes (the main character), is someone to root for - especially in the beginning - his quest for revenge is the main theme of the book, and dims ones good feelings towards him. But (slight spoiler alert!) he does sort of learn his lesson in the end. He at least ...more

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Apr 03, 2012 Megan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I read this book in French and English. It loses something in translation, but it is still an amazing book. I'm looking forward to rereading it soon.

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Sep 03, 2020 Nancy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: highly-recommend, children-s-lit, classics-canon, literary-high-brow

This is Alexandre Dumas' classic novel originally written in France in 1844. This is a story of love and hate and passion and revenge best served cold. Edmond Dantes is an up and coming sailor who is sent to prison for some hopped up charges of treason. While in prison he meets a mad Priest who has been there long enough to teach himself various other languages and useful skills like breaking out of prison and cave exploration for riches and wealth. When Dantes manages to free himself from priso ...more

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Sep 21, 2020 Katherine VanderSluis rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: childrens-fic, classics

I have very ambivalent feelings about Great Illustrated Classics in general (though my view has improved somewhat since I have seen younger readers and English learners gain access to stories they otherwise would not be able to read). Certainly a tremendous amount is lost as these stories are simplified, in terms of detail , character development, etc. I don't read them, but occasionally will compare the beginning of one to its unabridged counterpart as an object lesson for students. However, in ...more

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Jul 19, 2020 Lauren rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

since the book is so short compared to the original it is easy to read but it definitely leaves out the details. it is a great summary book and fun to read since there are pictures on every page. enjoyable:)

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Dec 18, 2018 Robert rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: with-the-kids

H8 likes it and was able to follow the story. Probably better for a 10 -12 year old.

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May 19, 2019 Joann rated it liked it · review of another edition

Adequate children's adaptation of one of my favorite books.

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Jul 17, 2019 Susy *MotherLambReads* marked it as dnf-too-many-books-too-little-time · review of another edition

Didn't work as a read aloud. DD likes these tho.

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Aug 18, 2019 Caspar Vega rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Loved this series as a kid.

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Jul 18, 2020 Brian rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Outstanding

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Aug 28, 2020 Elliott Vaughn rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Quoe from Capt. Malcolm Reynolds captures the novel perfect: "Ah Hell... I'm a fan of all seven. But right now... I'm gonna have to go with wrath."

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Oct 26, 2020 Gerri R. rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Movie much better.

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Nov 12, 2020 Myra added it · review of another edition

One of my favourite books of all time. Focus of my distracted eyes...

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Nov 16, 2020 Drake Benedict Sully rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

You will love this! Guaranteed👍🏼.

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Sep 18, 2013 Evan rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. A thrilling tale of wrongful imprisonment, romance, and patient revenge converge in the classic novel The Count of Monte Cristo.
The lead protagonist, Edmond Dantes, has his life just the way he wants it: he will captain his own ship and marry the love of his life soon. Three conspirators don’t favor Edmond’s good fortune, and “take a hand in things.” He is sent to prison for life without knowing why. After fourteen years, Dantes makes a daring escape and inherits massive wealth. It is with this A thrilling tale of wrongful imprisonment, romance, and patient revenge converge in the classic novel The Count of Monte Cristo.
The lead protagonist, Edmond Dantes, has his life just the way he wants it: he will captain his own ship and marry the love of his life soon. Three conspirators don’t favor Edmond’s good fortune, and “take a hand in things.” He is sent to prison for life without knowing why. After fourteen years, Dantes makes a daring escape and inherits massive wealth. It is with this power that he systematically destroys his opponents.

I particularly enjoyed this book because the main character is flawless. In every action there is purpose, and in every thought there is foresight. The opposition seems to crumble at his delicate actions and patience. He carries a sense of importance and power about him, even though some characters have just learned of his [fake] identity (page 138-145).

The novel also has great historical accuracy. It takes place from just before the Hundred Days (when Napoleon returned after his exile) all the way through King Louis-Philippe I of Prussia (1836). The fortune that Edmond inherits was once owned by a wealthy cardinal, who had paid for his position (page 54-55). The general news is transmitted by telegraph, which was in it’s infant stages. Edmond also employs a steward, and his partisans throw parties in each other’s honor. All of these activities are very typical of this time period.

Alexandre Dumas has a very good sense of emotion as well. Pure terror is exercised by the targets of Dantes’ revenge as he destroys their lives. All hope leaves Dantes in prison, but it is restored when he escapes. I don’t see the communication of characters’ emotions very well in modern novels (I may have poor choice here). It’s something I’ve come to appreciate out of this book as well.

Several of the characters contemplate or even carry out suicide. I saw this as a connection to other romantic works. Suicide is found in many other romances (particularly Shakespeare) - Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello, Les Misérables, The Awakening… I think that the suicides and thoughts in The Count of Monte Cristo weren’t the characters being pretentious about life, but rather that they just live very melodramatically. They find themselves in a world without meaning or purpose regularly.

For a final rating, I would give this book a 4.5/5. The later parts get a bit too romance centered for me, but it was still an interesting read. ...more

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Oct 18, 2013 Jason D'Souza rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Alexandre Dumas' book the Count of Monte Cristo is set in France in the year 1815. The movie stars Jim Caviezel who is the hero Edmond Dantes a poor sailor man, in love with the French girl, Mercedes with beautiful long dark locks, and the best man Fernand, the son of a count, a rich and powerful man. Mercedes recalls the time when they were children how Fernand received a donkey and Edmond received a whistle. The poor boy was more excited over his little whistle than the rich boy cared for the Alexandre Dumas' book the Count of Monte Cristo is set in France in the year 1815. The movie stars Jim Caviezel who is the hero Edmond Dantes a poor sailor man, in love with the French girl, Mercedes with beautiful long dark locks, and the best man Fernand, the son of a count, a rich and powerful man. Mercedes recalls the time when they were children how Fernand received a donkey and Edmond received a whistle. The poor boy was more excited over his little whistle than the rich boy cared for the donkey. Fernand was so jealous of Edmonds whistle that he no longer wanted his donkey. Edmund Dantes was content with being in poverty and having nothing, yet when he received the smallest gift he was so grateful and full of joy that others became jealous. David said in the Psalms, "God, my joy and my delight," (ps 43:4) This story reminds me to be content with what I have, and that the greatest joy is not in have riches and material wealth or donkeys, but in having God who alone, will, "make my joy complete," (Philippians 2:2) and can make me satisfied when all that I receive is but a small whistle and nothing more. By the end of the book, Edmond Dantes toils in the darkest dungeons but by perseverance he escapes and finds the treasure of Spada becoming the richest man alive. What do you want in this world? You can have anything in the world so long as you are patient. In this world God holds many secrets, but the greatest of these is found in I Cor 13:4, "Love is patient," people in this world want things right away and because of lack of patience we have envy and wanting something we are unable to be patient and wait for. They are selfish, jealous people who covet things that do not belong to them and they ruin it. These people become impatient and more unsatisfied. When we have true love in our heart, we will be able to wait for anything. When we are patient, and hold out to the end, you will see evil people lose interest and passion, but the man or woman of God who never tires and perseveres in the darkest of dungeons will find the greatest treasure and be blessed. "Blessed is the man who perseveres." James 1:12 ...more

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Jan 09, 2017 Sarah rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Being an Illustrated Classic, this was a quick read.

Edmond Dantes is a young sailor who takes over the ship Pharaon when the captain dies at sea. Before returning home to France, the ship makes a quick stop at the island where Napoleon is exiled. Now in possession of a mysterious letter to be delivered to Paris, Edmond arrives home and sets about preparing to marry his fiancee, Mercedes.

Just before they marry, soldiers arrive at the festivities to arrest Edmond! A jealous fellow sailor and a ma Being an Illustrated Classic, this was a quick read.

Edmond Dantes is a young sailor who takes over the ship Pharaon when the captain dies at sea. Before returning home to France, the ship makes a quick stop at the island where Napoleon is exiled. Now in possession of a mysterious letter to be delivered to Paris, Edmond arrives home and sets about preparing to marry his fiancee, Mercedes.

Just before they marry, soldiers arrive at the festivities to arrest Edmond! A jealous fellow sailor and a man who wishes to marry Mercedes falsely accused Edmond of conspiring to get Napoleon back on the throne! Edmond pleads his case well to the Assistant Prosecutor, who is ready to release Edmond until he discovers that the letter he carries is addressed to the AP's own father who is planning to help Napoleon return! The AP has spent years building a reputation and cannot have it ruined by anyone finding out that his father is a traitor, thus, Edmond must disappear.

Edmond spends the next 14 years in prison. While there, he befriends an old priest who educates him, turning him into a gentleman. When the priest is dying, he makes Edmond his heir; heir to a fabulous fortune. After the death of the priest, Edmond makes his escape from prison and sets out to claim his inheritance and seek revenge on the men who ruined his life.

Once he retrieves the treasure, Edmond returns to France and sets about ruining the lives of the men who betrayed him. Alas, his father has died and Mercedes has disappeared. He finds her eventually, only to discover that she married the other man who loved her! He however, is accused and convicted of murder and ends up committing suicide.

I was really liking this story, not that I liked Edmond taking revenge and ruining other people, but it was an engaging, thrilling story. But the ending! It was set up so perfectly that Edmond and Mercedes could finally be together, and they aren't! Edmond sails off alone and Mercedes returns to the house she grew up in to live. Seriously! Not a good ending to a very interesting book. So it gets four stars. ...more

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Sep 28, 2012 Mitchell Appleton rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, revenge, classic

Count of Monte Cristo

Summary: This book is a intriguing tale of a man framed for treason. In prison he meets an old man nicknamed the crazy priest, who changes his life forever. Determined to find who set him up, this book describes the efforts Edmond Dantes makes to make his back-stabbers pay.

Commentary: For me, the best part of the novel what when he gets revenge on the people who put him in prison. Ripped away from his family and home, Edmond was enraged and went out to give them what they d ...more

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Sep 11, 2013 Ashley rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

One of Alexandre Dumas's timeless classics, The Count of Monte Cristo recounts the trials of one man who, after a betrayal most foul, vows to exact his revenge upon his rivals. France is a nation on the brink of civil disorder; tales of Napoloen's return from the Isla of Elba give rise to two political factions, and the greed and ambition in the hearts of men will drive them to design the most diabolical of schemes. Caught in all this is Edmond Dantés, a loyal son, a fine sailor, and the man who ...more

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Dec 06, 2013 Annabelle rated it liked it · review of another edition

Well, this is supposed to be a great piece of literature. The abridged version is a tome of 700 pages. Did anyone know that Dumas was paid by word for the original serialized edition? The introduction of my edition said that Dumas created the first super hero with Edmond Dantes, in prison on an island for 14 years, he learned to have sensitive hearing. I think everyone knows the story. Dantes is a young, earnest sailor befriended by shipowner Morrel. He has a betrothed Mercedes and they are insa ...more

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Nov 28, 2015 Kristoff rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

The Count of Monte Cristo is a story about a young man named Edmond Dantes who gets wrongly exiled to a prison on an island at the Chateau d'If. Edmond had just been named captain of a ship, and was engaged to be married to a beautiful woman named Mercedes. Unfortunately he had an enemy, Danglars, who was jealous that he was to become captain of the ship. And another man named Fernand was jealous of him because he wanted to marry Mercedes. He wrongly accused Edmond of treason which resulted in E ...more

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Feb 01, 2014 Sally rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I initially gave this book 5 stars, but now I'm giving it 4. The beginning was sensational. About halfway through, it got a little slow, then it picked up again and became somewhat implausible (I mean, the whole damn thing is implausible, but some parts are better than others). I am anxious to read The Three Musketeers. I read an abridged version, and I think I might actually like to read the unabridged translation, as I think that would tie up some loose ends.

All in all, this book was super goo ...more

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May 13, 2010 Rebecca rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This was another one of those books that I'm pretty sure I was supposed to read in school and claimed I did, but didn't. Sigh, evidently that teacher had taste afterall! I love these older, well written books that make you feel better just to listen to the flow of the language they used. At first I thought I wouldn't really like the revenge thing that Dantes was so obsessed with, but I loved seeing how so much of what we do, really can come back around to either help or hurt us. I loved the end ...more

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Jan 28, 2012 Alicia rated it liked it · review of another edition

I'm reading this abridged version to my 11 year old son. He keeps asking me to keep reading when it's time to stop. We'll see how this version compares with the real thing, which I love.
We liked this abridged version. However, I'm so in love with the original that this just doesn't measure up. It was a good starting point for my son though. I think when he's a little older he'll want to tackle the original.

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Feb 28, 2013 Hunter rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Before I tell you how good the book was, I just want to let you know it was a struggle sometimes to understand what the heck these people were saying in this stupip book. But once you look past the weird words that I guess is from the authors translation, you get hooked. From reading the back of the book it would be impossible to see what the whole book is about. It was a great book with many different plots, perspectives, and complications woven together in a great book.

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