The Reading Challenge Group discussion
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The Count of Monte Cristo
Group Read Archive 2014-16
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Classic Group Read (Feb 2014) - The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
This is so long. I want to read it but I am not sure if I am going to get to it during February.
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If you don't get to it during February, don't worry about it. I doubt I'll finish by the end of the month, and I'm sure others won't too!
I have read The Three Musketeers. I love Alexandre Dumas. Just wish I had more time to read.
Holly - I have the best of intentions for finishing this chunkster - but if I (and maybe some others!) don't finish it within Feb, are we still able to count it?
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LOL I couldn't put it down for like 10 days straight!
The Count of Monte Cristo is one of the great stories ever written. It is indeed a long one, but when it finishes, you'll wish there were a thousand pages more. I can almost guarantee it'll feel like the fastest you've ever read a book of that size.
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I concur.
For me this was long but worth it. I'm not going to re-read it now, but I'm looking forward to peeking in here to see what anyone who decides to read it thinks about it. From what I've heard about the movie versions most of them alter the story pretty drastically, so I'm glad I read it instead of thinking I could just watch it.
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The movies do alter it quite a lot, but I'm madly in love with the Jim Caviezel version anyway. ;)
Iasa wrote: "Only at chapter 6 and I'm hooked. I hope Dumas can keep up this level of interest for the next 1200 pages."He does! It originally appeared serially, in a newspaper, so there wasn't any room for the story to drag. You're in for one of the great rides that literature has to offer.
I read this last year & have decided not to revisit it so soon! But I absolutely loved every word of this classic & can't wait to read what everyone else thinks... Happy reading
I read it a couple years ago, but didn't realize it was the abridged version until I found an unabridged copy at the thrift store a few months ago. I'll try to get to it this month.
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Do you like Ulysses? I'm hoping to read that this year, too.
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It's daunting, but I'd definitely recommend reading it :)
Glad this was chosen & can't wait to get my teeth into it; however the 800+ pages are a bit daunting as I don't think I'll finish it this mnth. But hey ho, the fact that it's a chosen text will make me finish it even if it takes me all yr (lol). I've always wanted to read it esp after the dramatisations I've watched. Just need to finish my current read....
Just read 9 chapters today so far (started today). Hoping to get another 5 done before bed. So far it is pretty good!
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I've heard nothing but good things about it, and I really can't wait to read it. I'm very jealous of everyone reading it already!
I am about 100 pages in. I hope for another 100 pages today. I seem to get more reading done on the weekend so I hope I can get a big chuck of it done! I have 2 friends that are not on Goodreads that are thinking about reading it as well. One put it on hold at the library. The other is waiting on how I like it.
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What do you think of it so far?
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I hope everyone is enjoying it! What do you all think?
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I really want to start it now!
I started it this morning, but I'm only 100 pages in. I'll try to finish it tomorrow.
So far it is very good. I am only 250 in but finding it wonderful. Work is just getting in the way of reading it!
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For those lucky ones that have already finished it, do you recall approximately how long it took to finish?
Iasa - that's great! I think it's going to take me quite a bit longer to read it than 15 hours. I'm new to reading on my iPad so my eyes are still adjusting. I hope this will be resolved by the time I finish the Count!
I spend about an hour a day on it. Some more some less. I know I won't get done in 15 hours. Glad there are some fast readers here!!
Iasa said "Kassandra- Do let me know how you like reading on the ipad. My e-reader has gone all Linda Blair on me, I think I might have to start shopping for a new one."I find it harder on my eyes than reading the book. I've been struggling to read more than 45 minutes or so at a stretch because my eyes get very sore and then I develop a headache. I think this is part of the transition to digital reading so I'm going to keep at it but take more frequent breaks. I definitely wouldn't be able to read break free for 8 or 9 hours like I can with a book!
Having said that, I'm really liking the convenience of the iPad. If I get "bored" with a section, then I can just move to another book for a break instead of carrying multiple novels with me wherever I go!
I'm about 20% though the book. I have the audible version which is 43 hours long, at the same time I read the book on my kindle (I like being read to :-).So far I love it, having read the Tale of two cities in January, I have to say that although longer, I am enjoying The count more.
There are similarities in the two books writing style, a certain romantic ambience and sensibility due to the period in which the books were written (the Count was completed in 1844, while Tale of two Cities in 1859) as well as the intertwining of historical facts with the book plot.
Of the two, The count appears to me more modern, the human desire for of revenge being universally appealing. Although the characters are somewhat unidimensional (either truly good or evil), I find the plot exciting and engaging.
Like others have already said, the story is so good that time flies by and so far I haven't felt that the book is carrying on too long.
What do others think?
I found the first 200 pages very good. I am at a dry spell in the book trying to figure out things. Maybe the next 50-100 pages will shed light on some things for me; Ii still enjoy the book very much. I am hoping to get to around to the 400 page mark tonight. I am averaging 50 pages on a weekday, 100 pages per weekend day.
I'm not that far into it yet. I think the story is very interesting but so far, it hasn't been a book that I've been really excited to get back to each day. I'm hoping to spend some quality time with the book on Sunday - that should bring me a little deeper into it. I hope to enjoy it as much as some others have here but for now, it's a bit of a struggle.
Just started this - I'm looking forward to reading it. I am not a huge Classics fan, but the enthusiasm and interesting commentary on this thread (coupled with the fact it's one of my OH's favourite books!) has really inspired me to give it a go.I'm glad it was picked as an assigned Group Read - doing these has really motivated me to pick up books I wouldn't normally have chosen!
I'm loving this book. It captured me from the very beginning and the glimpses into French politics at the time are great. I'm about 20% of the way through and it seems to be picking up more pace. My ereader reckons I'll finish in 26 hours but I'm optimistic I can improve on that.
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Kassandra wrote: "For those lucky ones that have already finished it, do you recall approximately how long it took to finish?"It took me two days.
I'm glad I was able to read the unabridged version this time. I really enjoyed it.
Holly wrote: "Two days?! Wow!"I read fast, and I was off work both days, so I had plenty of time to read.
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Did you find that it lulled in places? Was it ever a struggle?
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Are there any passages that speak to you? "Misfortune is needed to bring to light the treasures of the human intellect" (Abbé Faria, Ch. XVII). This struck me as a profound message, inspiring me to seek out silver linings and rainbows...
Sandy wrote: "All the enthusiastic comments about this book are making me want to read it (but not in February). I want to make sure before I start that I don't have an abridged edition though. I have an e-book ..."Hi Sandy, Pretty sure it's unabridged because:
I looked up one of the editions with "unabridged" in the title on Amazon and inside it says
"Editorial note: This anonymous unabridged English translation was originally published in 1846 by Chapman and Hall, London."
Wikipedia says that most modern English unabridged editions use the same translation as the 1846 Chapman and Hall.
My copy was from Gutenberg (couple years ago). Of course I like free, but I also like having the older translation.
Sandy, there is an unabridged edition you can read for free right here on Goodreads. It is the translation by Buss and includes an introduction, explanatory notes, footnotes and suggestions for further reading.
When this book was chosen for a group read I thought you must all be mad to choose a book this long! The reviews and comments here have enticed me though, so I'm joining in as well. :)
How are you enjoying the Count so far, Jelliebeans?!
This is the place for discussing it!