#6: The Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas

[PB]

HAPPY POSTING!

[PB]

First off, I really loved The Count of Monte Cristo. It was one of those so-thick-and-so-long-but-so-worth-it reads. It reminds me of Tolstoy's novels, but I enjoyed it even more. I might just have found a new favorite author.

Here are some DISCUSSION PROMPTS:

1. "...until the day when God will deign to reveal the future to man all human wisdom is contained in these two words, "Wait" and "Hope."

I've collected several quotes from the novel (posted all of them on our Facebook page) but this last one is my most favorite. Because it does apply to everyone and everything. There is always wisdom in waiting, whether it be in the case of waiting to take action, or of just clinging to a particular hope for the future. Hope allows us to hang in there and be able to realize the fruits of our labor, but it also opens doors to unexpected blessings.

How about you, what's your favorite quote?

2. What did you think of the ending? Were you satisfied with it?

I was really happy, because I wasn't expecting a happy ending at all. I love that the count found someone he loves again (as he loved Mercédes) who loves him even more.

3. Did you feel that what Edmond/the count did to the people who have wronged him in the past was justifiable?
If not for his want of revenge, masked as his want of justice, do you think that Edmond would have prospered as he did?

4. Was the love between Maximilian and Valentine true? Or was it just infatuation between young people? Do you think it constant or bound to change as they grow older?

5. Who was your favorite character and why? What attributes did you like best of that character?

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/montecr...
I found reading this particularly enjoyable!