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The Count of Monte Cristo - Mark Your Spoilers
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You're right, Lori. I got the 2002 version from Netflix last week just because I missed the characters so much. It was just alright. Of course, so many things were taken out for the film, and they totally changed the ending which was plain wierd...it just didn't come close to being what I imagined from Dumas' writing.
I prefer Dumas' ending to the one in the recent Hollywood film, actually.I'm with Jessica - the film was, to quote Randy Jackson, "just a'right, dawg."
The French TV production with Gerard Deparidieu was a lot closer.
I had a friend that just loaned me this book. Unfortunately I have not had an opportunity to read it yet, but it looks great.
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I second that, however I do have to warn you, Dantes will take over your life. You will fall for the characters. The writing will enchant you. Oh and did I mention this book is fantastic. The vengence is perfect.
This book is still a very contemporary novel. The language is very easy to understand, unlike some classic books. I have read it twice now and enjoyed it as much as the first time
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And im done! what a bloody brilliant book!.. suspense and intrigue all the way, loved it
Yay Jon! Do you in a wierd way feel sad that you're done? That's how I feel...I still find myself thinking about the characters and miss being wrapped up in the story.
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If you want to discuss the others, you can start new threads in this folder for them. We do not have topics on any of those as of yet.
I really did enjoy the book, but I'm not sure that I see myself going back to read it. It was so long and there are just so many other books I have on my unread shelves at home to think about rereading something.Maybe I will eventually. It seems like a book I would get a lot out of reading a second time.
Sometimes I wish vengeance worked like that in the real world... although, it's probably a lot better for everyone if it isn't always that successful :p
OK. I know this is a LOOOONG dead thread, but I just finished CofMC and I LOVED it. I raced through it, reading it in just under a week. I read the unabridged Modern Library version (1463 pages).I thought the translation was excellent. For 1400+ pages there were very few moments that dragged. I think I cared the least about Mme Danglers (Eugenie). Overall, I was super impressed that Dumas could pack that much action in. There was really no room for a breather.
I had previously read Three Musketeers and while I liked it, I did think it read very 'old'. Of course that could have been resulting from the translation (read it off of Gutenberg), but it made me leery of starting anything else by Dumas. I was definitely wrong.
Very glad I read the unabridged!
I just got the Man In the Iron Mask to read. I liked The Three Musketeers. It could have been your translation. I can't remember which translation I read though. The Count was so good.
I have just started the Count - I got the Penguin unabridged translation, which is supposed to be very good. So far I am about 50 pages in, but I like it.
Edmund is sooooooooooo sexy. The Count ranks up there as being one of my all time favorites.
I don't know. A guy treating the once-of-love-his-life that crappily makes him kind of unsexy in my eyes.Granted, I read an Bantam abridged version. (But not so abridged it didn't include the lesbian happily-ever-after. That was my second favorite part. First favorite being Monsieur Nortier's epic-wedding-stopping antics. He's can only *blink* and he still does more than Valentine than the Maximillien and Edmund.)
I don't know...an uber rich guy who speaks like 7 languages and has a tortured past? Pretty hot. But seriously, 14 years is a long time. Especially when the woman you loved married the man who ruined your life and sentenced you to torture/death/perpetual despair.
And it never really appeared that Mercedes loved Fernando. When we meet them in later life, she is in it for her child, not because she loves him. It is clear she is dissatisfied with her life. And while CofMC does temporarily ruin her life, he is willing to sacrifice his life to save the son of the woman he loves. And he does offer her help to make sure she is not destitute once her husband is destroyed.
Also, Mercedes never once indicated that she would choose Edmund once he returned. Her loyalties lay with her husband. (not that that is not completely understandable, but why should Edmond change his plans when her feelings are clearly not as strong).
I just never felt that bad for Mercedes. Even at the very end, she rejected Edmund. She prefered to mourn and weep alone.
One of my most favorite novels of all time!
one of my fav movies, too. after seeing it, wife read the book. not easy for an ESLer. But she struggled through 'cause she said that the pictures were better.
I just finished reading the erotic version of The Count of Monte Cristo called Master by Collette Gayle. I always love the original book and movie with Liam Neeson. What a great plot!One of my all time favorite books! That, and Gone With The Wind.
Keta
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Please mark your spoilers.. and enjoy! I loved this book!!!!
To clarify, Bridgit, I don't feel bad for Mercedes so much as I feel bad as how she's treated by Dumas, the writer of the story- as a prop.What I do feel is perplexed that I'm supposed to root for such a selfish man as the Count. He sinks to the level of his wrongers- possibly even worse.
I read this when I was 14, and in Armenian, the translation was wonderful! And I like the Russian movie for it soooo much. Ok, I really didn't feel bad about Mercedes, and the whole book is one of my all time favorites,almost all the characters in the book are unforgettable. Dumas was a genius.
Heya everyone! I saw that this group was reading the Count of Monte Cristo this month and I just *had* to join!This is one of my all time favorite books, I read the children's versions when I was young, then delved into the complete unabridged one when I was around 13 years old. Since then I've re-read it every few years! I guess it's time to read this book again, because I know I sure would love to discuss it with all of you! (Especially the ending!)
Hi all! I read this book, when I was a teenager too. Since then I read 4 times. I just love it! It is really interesting to read through what all of you think.
Bought the book on Sunday because I knew it would take me a while to read and I didn't want the library to get mad at me : D So far, so good-enjoying it!
It has been a few years since Dantes and I have cavorted about. It truly is a magnificent book. I was surprised that you all would try to read it in one month. It is a book to savor over a few months. There are so many rich characters to unravel.
I listened to the unabridged audiobook last summer (35 CDs/42 hours)... It was REALLY REALLY AWESOME! Plus, having it read to me, I didn't have to worry that I was butchering the French pronunciations as I read... For being such a ridiculously long book, it was REALLY entertaining! The plot is so intricate and there are so many characters, but everything ties in... Fantastic book! Why don't they have us read amazing books like THIS in high school?
I think the size of the book would be daunting to YA. How many teenagers would elect to do a book report on a book of this scope?
It's long, but incredibly pulpy... I can see it. Maybe a concentrated read (long passages are pretty filler-y).
Carol (akittykat) wrote: "I think the size of the book would be daunting to YA. How many teenagers would elect to do a book report on a book of this scope?"Well... I did. And it wasn't that long ago that I was in high school either!
Maybe the abridged version then. I dunno, I figure if you tell teenage boys there are lesbians in the book... ;) *rolls her eyes* But seriously, as a teacher, I'd just be like, "Look, there are a lot of books we could read. This one is pretty long—longer than most of the others—but it's freaking AWESOME!"
Sara ♥ wrote: "Maybe the abridged version then. I dunno, I figure if you tell teenage boys there are lesbians in the book... ;) *rolls her eyes* But seriously, as a teacher, I'd just be like, "Look, there are ..."I think the people in my English class would have loved it. We read about 8 books in my 10th grade honors English. Which is a lot for an English class. But my teacher had a way of making books fun to read. And then he had us write the tests ourselves. So all around, it was worth it to read a long book, and discuss it in class. We also happened to read Les Miserables that year. And saw the movie in original French. Definitely one of teachers I miss having!
*SPOILER* This is one of my most fav classics. I read it as a kid, and several times again after a while. The story still excites me as a childhood pirate-treasure-revenge-romance story, and I think I still bear that first impression in mind.
I just get lost in the story every time, agonizing over Edmond in his jail-cell, exited when he gets the half-burnt map .... when he escapes impersonating a dead body ... it still fascinates me after all these years.
I am loving the book, it is amazing, but god is the unabridged version long.
I read it a couple of summers ago. (unabridged) well worth the time it took to read.
Monef wrote: "I am loving the book, it is amazing, but god is the unabridged version long." I read it as Dumas had published it. One segment per week. It was fun anticipating the next segment in the serial. I imagined how his adoring public awaited each release.
Finally, after 1 1/2 months I have finished the book! I had other readings to finish inbetween, so I was unable to devote all of my time to The Count, but I am so glad I finished it!This is the ultimate revenge novel and one of the best novels that I have read from ANYBODY! I love the character development and the story arcs, which you believe are independent of each other and at times you wonder why they mention people, but Dumas brillantly brings everything together.
**SPOILERS**
The justice by Dantes against his conspirators was poetic justice to a T. It is fitting that Albert, who had such hate for Edmond that he wanted to kill the man, that he killed himself. Danglars, who allowed Old Dantes to die from hunger, should repent by feeling the effects of hunger himself.
There is so much I want to say, I loved this novel!
I know how you feel. You definitely have accomplished something. Pat yourself on the back and I am patting you on the back also. Good job.
Joanie wrote: "I was supposed to read this last summer with the Rory Gilmore book club. It was all broken down so that you had a reading goal for each month and could finish it in three months while still readin..."omg -- WHAT is the Rory Gilmore book club???? Will I be too much of a girl if I say I want to join?? My wife totally got me into Gilmore Girls a few years ago.
..............maybe I shouldn't be offering up that information on a public forum.......
Susanna wrote: "I prefer Dumas' ending to the one in the recent Hollywood film, actually."I completely agree. The film is beautiful, but they totally Hollywooded up the ending. Dumas definitely chose a better ending in my opinion.
This is one of my all-time favorite books. I've read it a couple times now, but not for the last couple years. Maybe it's time to re-visit it now...
I listened to the unabridged audio version on playaway - 47 hours!! It was awesome! I loved every minute of it.
M. wrote: "Joanie wrote: "I was supposed to read this last summer with the Rory Gilmore book club. It was all broken down so that you had a reading goal for each month and could finish it in three months whi..."I read a lot of fabulous books because of this group.. you need to check it out!
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/7...
Carol (Kitty) wrote: "Monef wrote: "I am loving the book, it is amazing, but god is the unabridged version long." I read it as Dumas had published it. One segment per week. It was fun anticipating the next segment in th..."I didn't realize it was published one segment at a time. Interesting!
Angie wrote: "I read a lot of fabulous books because of this group.. you need to check it out!http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/758.... "
Thanks!! I didn't realize this was through Goodreads!
The "one segment at a time" process was common with books at the time - it's true of a lot of Dickens, for example.
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Books mentioned in this topic
The Vicomte de Bragelonne (other topics)The Man in the Iron Mask (other topics)
Twenty Years After (other topics)
I am almost afraid to watch the movie, only because the one that was running in my head as I read it can never be matched on film, I think.