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The Count of Monte Cristo

Alexandre Dumas

Start date: February 1, 2013

Finish date: February 28, 2013

Discussion: Current Group Read

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What Members Thought

Jan 18, 2010 Nance rated it really liked it

Shelves: classics, books-read-2011

I'm finally done with this huge masterpiece of a book! Accused of a crime of treason that he did not commit by four men that are jealous of him, Edmond Dantes (a sailor), is thrown into prison for 14 years. He meets Abbe Faria, an Italian priest, that tells Edmond about the island of Monte Cristo where a treasure is buried which will make him rich. Upon Abbe Faria's death, Edmond escapes the prison by taking on Abbe Faria's identity and swears his revenge to the men that have sent him there. Thr I'm finally done with this huge masterpiece of a book! Accused of a crime of treason that he did not commit by four men that are jealous of him, Edmond Dantes (a sailor), is thrown into prison for 14 years. He meets Abbe Faria, an Italian priest, that tells Edmond about the island of Monte Cristo where a treasure is buried which will make him rich. Upon Abbe Faria's death, Edmond escapes the prison by taking on Abbe Faria's identity and swears his revenge to the men that have sent him there. Through most of the book we see just how far Edmond, now The Count of Monte Cristo, will go to exact his revenge on the four men. Fernand Montego, the jealous rival, that loves the Count's fiancee, Mercedes. Baron Danglars the supercargo of a ship where Edmond served as first mate who is jealous of the relationship between Edmond and the good and honest ship's owner, Monsieur Morrel. Gerard de Villefort, the ambitious public prosecutor who is responsible for sentencing Edmond to prison even though he was aware of the fact that he was innocent. And, Caderousse, the lazy greedy neighbor who is envious of Edmond that unlike the others, never finds his fortune and dies a petty criminal and somewhat occasional murderer. Throughout the book, The Count, plots his revenge to the unsuspecting men while getting to know their families and loved ones intimately for the sole purpose of retaliation. As I am reading along, though, I realize that The Count is starting to really feel for some of these innocent family members and cannot bear to hurt them just because of the company that they keep. So, in the long run, The Count tries to right the wrong of revenge by awarding the honest victims of each family with their true heart's desire. There are many subplots underlying within the novel's main plot of revenge that bring to light several secrets kept hidden and lies told years ago. While reading the novel, I didn't understand some of the details until the last few chapters of the book which brought all the ideas together to form a vivid conclusion. Even though there were so many pages, I would sit down and devour 100 pages at a time. So, don't let the amount of pages scare you off. A book that I thoroughly got engrossed in, but with the thought of revenge playing heavily on my mind, I asked myself the question, "Is it worth seeking revenge which would destroy another human-being and their family or is it better just to let it go?" Guess it depends on the person and the wrong that has been committed. One classic novel that I would highly recommend filled with mystery, intrigue, romance, murder, and history. Not to be missed!!

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Nov 05, 2009 Christy rated it it was amazing

It's long and slow in points. There are times when you'll say, "What does this scene have to do with anything?" But when you get to the end, it all makes sense. And it is SO worth it. ...more

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