The Count of Monte Cristo in 100 books to read before you die

Sep 11, 2013 Nicole rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 1001-list-books, dailylit, 2014

The basic plot of The Count of Monte Cristo is young Edmond Dantes is falsely imprisoned and after years locked away he returns to find his life and dreams destroyed. Through a series of strange events he has become immensely wealthy, and reinvents himself as the Count of Monte Cristo. In his new persona, he seeks out the men who caused his imprisonment to act as "the hand of God" and enact his revenge.

For the most part, I found The Count of Monte Cristo to be very interesting, particularly the ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Feb 19, 2013 Sophie rated it liked it

Shelves: evil-in-man, pre-1900, classics, 2012-2013

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This book is in one word.. majestic! It's a great accomplishment by Alexandre Dumas and the way that Napoleon affected the author's life is pretty evident from the central theme of revenge that is explored throughout the novel. I really liked how the event's of the book are chronological. I've recently read so many books which keep flicking between between past and present (namely, The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared.. apart from that such a funny read!) that t This book is in one word.. majestic! It's a great accomplishment by Alexandre Dumas and the way that Napoleon affected the author's life is pretty evident from the central theme of revenge that is explored throughout the novel. I really liked how the event's of the book are chronological. I've recently read so many books which keep flicking between between past and present (namely, The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared.. apart from that such a funny read!) that this straightforward,logical play of events was really refreshing.
While I was reading it, I did find myself occasionally having to turn back a few pages to re-read things which hadn't really sunk in properly. That said, The Count is NOT one to be neglected; one has to keep to this book as though a binding contract of professing love has been made, because in a few pages, much can happen. I greatly admire how Dumas cleverly executed each of the Count's vengeances. Each 'blow' wasn't (guiltily) satisfying, save for Fernand's headshot, which meant that my emotions didn't become tied up with the greater picture, that how "happiness and sadness do not exist in the world, but rather, comparisons between the two." I think that the Count's ability to see this descended from his experience on "a planet called grief". His character endured much hardship in early life, which greatly affected him in both good and bad ways. I was so happy with the way this novel ended; when you read it, the weight on Dantes' shoulders buried itself into your brain and only with the final words do you feel them lifted.
Halfway through the book I distinctly remember sitting up and screaming at the fact that Dante had decided to reveal himself to Mercedes - surely that fact she was married, with child, brought reproach on his untimely decision!? Alright you love(d) her, but going back on your word about seeking "recollections of the past" is being an utter hypocrite. Sometimes books don't make sense, then again people don't either, and this is a novel all about people and their mistakes (somewhat).
I cannot deny that this book was written beautifully. Ideas were expressed so eloquently that I took joy in understanding them! It was significantly different from the mechanical element that reigned over Orwell's writing in '1984', which was clear and unmarred by fancy 'oldspeak' (hehe). The Count of Monte-Cristo, for me is definitely a story book. I wouldn't place this in the ranks of Dickens, or Milton, simply because it didn't evoke enough emotion from me, nor did I get any feeling that Dumas understood a reader to the point of complexity that say, Fitzgerald did.
At some points I took this novel as an English Language lesson (ironically as it was originally written in french) because I loved the way Dantes spoke. He is definitely one of my favourite protagonists.. 3 deceptive disguises that woed each one of his enemies?! Skills!

Now for the film! ...more

Like · see review

Jan 10, 2016 Elizabeth rated it it was amazing

I have no words to describe the utter "epic-ness" of this book. All I can say is if you have ever been wronged by another, really truly wronged, you HAVE to read this book. It is a tale of redemption to the fullest degree.

Epic book.

Epic not in the sense that hipsters describe their vegan, gluten free, Pinterest worthy sandwiches. I really hate how hyperbolic that word has become, because it truly is the only word to describe this book!

Epic. Read it. Now. ...more

Like · see review

Aug 29, 2021 LaRae rated it really liked it

Shelves: ebooks, audible-books, 2019-poster-challenge, own, bpl-reading-challenge-2021, summer-bingo-2021

I have to admit that I enjoyed this story, but I do believe that it could have been told with half the words. With 1276 pages (almost 53 hours of listening), I began to wonder if I’d ever finish. If you plan on doing the audio version,I highly recommend the Bill Homewood version. He not only added the French flare necessary, but gave life to the individual characters. This is one of those classics that should be read by all who enjoy getting lost in a story.

Like · see review