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

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

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