Dumas Alexander, The Count of Monte Cristo, Informal Buddy Read, starts 20 June 2024 (previous read was 2018)

[Jammin Jenny]

Tahmina wrote: "Message 76: Alison wrote: "I started reading the intro then decided it wasn't really that relevant and there was more than enough to be reading. Did find it interesting how it's been kind of looked..."

Yes I certainly did mix them up! I finally figured that out about 3 more chapters in LOL

[Tahmina]

Jammin Jenny wrote: "Tahmina wrote: "Message 76: Alison wrote: "I started reading the intro then decided it wasn't really that relevant and there was more than enough to be reading. Did find it interesting how it's bee..."

I do this all the time because I can never remember names!

[Tahmina]

Jammin Jenny wrote: "Tahmina wrote: "Jammin Jenny wrote: "I watched The Great American Read on PBS last night and they said that Alexander Dumas had a "ghostwriter" or at least someone else who collaborated on this boo..."

..... wow have not gotten there yet but that should be interesting!

[Tahmina]

Alison wrote: "I'm a little further on (chapter 6) and I kind of get the feeling Caderousse is just looking for a little bit of entertainment at the expense of others. I think he wants to make himself look better..."

I think you are right that its jealously that's motivating all three. And I am not sure that they are not all equally evil. I'm not sure how to explain this without sounding crazy. But motivations like jealously or love or envy can be understood to a certain extent. And by this I am not saying that what they are doing is understandable or justifiable i'm just saying those are feelings most people might have felt at one point or another (to a much lesser degree).

I feel like Caderousse is more evil than the other two if he is just amusing himself because he has absolutely nothing to gain from it. He might actually gain more from Dante being rich and being kind to his father. So for him to amuse himself in this way shows a bit of psychopathic behavior.

[Stacie]

I've made it through the first 5 chapters. I feel like Caderousse is one of those people who will do whatever is more popular. He loves Dantes, he hates Dantes. Make up your mind dude. I can't tell who is more dangerous: Danglars because he's outspoken about his hatred or Fernand who is the quiet angry type.

This book makes me want to go to France more than ever though. Or Europe in general because tiny villages? Sign me up!

[Marie (UK)]

if anyone needs the character names i keep a list just let me know

[Marie (UK)]

Up to Chapter LI
I am so enjoying this but there are so many threads and so may questions.
There are a variety of elements in the book that keep me really interested and questing, there is a kind of fairytale element to it but there is also philosophy and the idea of a revegeful god.

(view spoiler)[ I cant really identify the time scale in all this - the final chapter suggests that is 6 years since senior Mr Morrel died and so longer than that since Edmund Dantes escaped Prison.

He seems to have chosen very carefully his relationships all with a view to getting his own revenge. I am not sure i understand why he gave Caderousse the precious stone ( the Abbe being sent by him) was it because he believed it would develop greed in Caderousse and so cause him to create his own downfall?
Did he know that Albert was the son of Mercedes?

it is all very interesting (hide spoiler)]

[Melindam]

I finished the book yesterday. It was a very absorbing and interesting, yet an easy read through and through.

I was also quite satisfied with its emotional ups and downs, but this time round, I had a few issues with the book.

(view spoiler)[
1) Dantes' belief that he is God's instrument to take revenge, though shaken at the end, returns with full force after he sees a quote from the Bible - this is rather "convenient" for him and for the author to conclude the plot, but it did not satisfy me in any way.

2) Mercedes' fate: I thought my heart would break for her. :(

3) Haydee and Edmond getting together at the end. Well, colour me biased, but I think that was nothing more than a typical male fantasy.
Edmond suffered so much that of course he deserves the love of a good woman. Fine. But that young woman happens to be his "slave" both literally and figuratively, even though in the end he decides to give her her "freedom" back. But of course, the girl worships unquestioningly the ground he walks on like he was divinity, and rather die than be separated from him... her "love" is not love, but blind devotion, claiming that Monte Cristo owns her body, her soul, her heart... There is no equality between them. One adores and the other allows this adoration as his right after all the suffering ...
I just say, UGH, in your dreams Alexandre Dumas .....
(hide spoiler)]

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Tahmina wrote: "I've been reading my copy but I have noticed that some copies have different amount of Chapters .... is this normal or am I missing something?"

I noticed that too. Mine is just straight numbers whereas others seem to move to roman numerals

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Tahmina wrote: "The whole Danglar Following him around was super weird. They literally get off the boat and has not been in town for three months and this guy has nothing better to do then to go wherever Dante goes...."

lol! indeed

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Jammin Jenny wrote: "That's so weird because [ when he opened the cave saying "Open Sesame" I was like ..."

bahahaha
I had exactly the same reaction!!

[Tahmina]

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Tahmina wrote: "I've been reading my copy but I have noticed that some copies have different amount of Chapters .... is this normal or am I missing something?"

I noticed that too. Mine is just str..."

Well I have seen a couple with Roman numerals and numbers and they don't match up. And I read a paperback and an ebook (cause let's get real i'm not carry that book with me) and I was so confused because the chapter I was reading seem to come out no where ... and then I realized that the chapters didn't match. I guess I can understand page count of length of sentences and paragraph length cause its a translation but how can you have a different number of chapters ....

Sorry this has annoyed me for a while :)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Maybe different translators divided it up differently? Or perhaps when it was first made into a book different publishers did it in different ways?
No idea, but I agree it is annoying. I'm a bit scared to look at the spoilers for the chapters with Roman Numerals as my copy, and audio, isn't divided that way. So far my audio and kindle are matching

[Jammin Jenny]

Marie (UK) wrote: "if anyone needs the character names i keep a list just let me know"

I do!! It's so hard keeping it straight listening to the audio. But I'm loving the book so far. I'm up to Chapter 35 right now and The Count (who'm I am guessing is our beloved MC) is describing all the various acts of torture...

[Sarah]

I finally started and have read chapter 1. I think I'm feeling more intimidated than ever so it's good to see you're all enjoying it.

It always takes a little bit for my kindle to get the reading speed right when I start a new book. I gulped when it said 71 hours left in the book as I started. By the end of chapter 1 I was down to only 49 hours to go. I'm hoping it hasn't yet got to the true reading time...

[SandyL]

Marie (UK) wrote: "Up to Chapter LI
I am so enjoying this but there are so many threads and so may questions.
There are a variety of elements in the book that keep me really interested and questing, there is a kind o..."

I wondered about Caderousse as well. There are so many intricacies going on. It seems like during the preceding years Dantes must have done a LOT of research into these people. I've finished Chapter 48 and (view spoiler)[ he's finally met Danglar and Villafour and their families. It was also interesting that this was the first time we heard Dante's actual thoughts on exacting revenge. I also wonder how he knew Bertuccio's background with the Villafours? He has really set things up brilliantly and I love how he develops such admiration and affection from people, knowing that he's either going to use them or destroy them at some point for his revenge. (hide spoiler)]

[Marie (UK)]

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Tahmina wrote: "I've been reading my copy but I have noticed that some copies have different amount of Chapters .... is this normal or am I missing something?"

I noticed that too. Mine is just str..."

there are a lot of translations I actively looked for the one by Robin Buss - i was told that was the best. This means different lengths and chapter breaks

[Marie (UK)]

Jammin Jenny wrote: "Marie (UK) wrote: "if anyone needs the character names i keep a list just let me know"

I do!! It's so hard keeping it straight listening to the audio. But I'm loving the book so far. I'm up to Cha..."

I will post one

[Marie (UK)]

Character names
Edmund Dante (has an accent on the final E /)
Monsieur Morrel (senior) Nad Maxwell his son
Monsieur Danglers
Fernand - in love with
Mercedes
Peppino
Albert De Moncerf and Franz D'epinay (meet count in Italy)
Abbe Faria (prisoner)
Abbe Bussino
Luigi Vampa
Beauchamp
Signor Bertuccio
Debray
Helloise de Villefort
Marquis de Saint Neron
Nortier de Villefort
Greard de Villefort
Haydee
Emmanuel Herbault married to Julie Morrel (shipowner)

these are the one i have listed

[Marie (UK)]

I am up to chapter LXIII which is called Monsieur nor tier de Villefort and page 656 of my copy

I am at last halfway I am enjoying reading it in sections and with Quidditch I am not expecting to finish anytime soon.

This is another of the sections where Dante is conspiring and constructing events to benefit him but not sure how that will turn out yet

[Tahmina]

Marie (UK) wrote: "Character names
Edmund Dante (has an accent on the final E /)
Monsieur Morrel (senior) Nad Maxwell his son
Monsieur Danglers
Fernand - in love with
Mercedes
Peppino
Albert De Moncerf and Franz D'e..."

Thanks Marie!

[Tahmina]

Marie (UK) wrote: "Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Tahmina wrote: "I've been reading my copy but I have noticed that some copies have different amount of Chapters .... is this normal or am I missing something?"

I noticed that too...."

Yeah the page and paragraphs I get. I just don't understand why you wouldn't keep the author chapter breaks. unless he didn't have one.

[SandyL]

Does any know if Abbe Bussino is (view spoiler)[really Edmund Dante? (hide spoiler)]

[Marie (UK)]

SandyL wrote: "Does any know if Abbe Bussino is [spoilers removed]"

what a thought - maybe

[Caroline]

SandyL wrote: "Does any know if Abbe Bussino is [spoilers removed]"

From what I understand, Abbe Bussino is also Dante !!
(view spoiler)[ I love how he got Caderousse to tell him all about the others. I don't know if he is going to retaliate against him in the future, because he wanted all that money for himself? I can't remember !! (hide spoiler)]

[Caroline]

*Chapter 30
(view spoiler)[ From now on, Dante is really on a mission to revenge. He thinks it is his rightful duty to do so. He even says : “I have been Heaven’s substitute to recompense the good—now the God of Vengeance yields to me his power to punish the wicked!”

He does'nt see anything bad from getting revenge against these people, even if they might have changer, I fell that this could end really badly in real life. Karma will always get you, revenge is not the only option... (hide spoiler)]

What do you think about the multiple disguises that Dante uses ? Why does he use one and not the other ???

[Jammin Jenny]

I am on Chapter 46 right now. I am really loving this story.

(view spoiler)[I think I missed it but is the Count of Monte Cristo actually Dante? I think he is but I might have missed it. He's talking to Dangler right now, and I love how he's exacting revenge and plotting. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Marie (UK) wrote: "I am up to chapter LXIII which is called Monsieur nor tier de Villefort and page 656 of my copy
."

That's chapter 58 of the kindle version, FYI for others using that version :)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

SandyL wrote: "Does any know if Abbe Bussino is [spoilers removed]"

Yes :)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Caroline wrote: "*Chapter 30
From now on, Dante is really on a mission to revenge. He thinks it is his rightful duty to do so. He even says : “I have been Heaven’s substitute to recompense the good—now the God of ..."

Good question. And I feel like these multiple disguises will trip him up if someone sees/knows him as more than one.
Maybe being too clever for his own good?

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Ok, I am still reading. Just slowly. Just finishing chapter 34 now.

I wasn't expecting this shift in time (view spoiler)[after Dantes escaped the prison (hide spoiler)] so I am still getting used to it. Probably doesn't help that I haven't had an opportunity to just sit and read for a good chunk. Exam on Thursday so my reading time is very limited

[Eldarwen]

Omg, so many messages (and pages) I need to catch up on!

Soon, very soon! I swear!

Just going to finish my two current reads and then I'll get back to this. Really really ;-)

[SandyL]

I'm on Chapter 57 and the Count is (view spoiler)[setting up Major Cavalcante with his son. I am so curious as to where this is going and what the purpose of this is? (hide spoiler)]

There are so many mentions on how pale the Count is. Could it be (view spoiler)[ from drug use? There are mentions of him using hashish to fall asleep (I don't think that would do this) but also his potions and his discussion with Madam Villefort on poisons. (hide spoiler)]

[Marie (UK)]

I think everyone is also someone else Fernand has other aliases for instance. At times i am really confused

Currently I am on page 812 / LXXIV
"the Villefort Family Vault"

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Chapter 42 - Monsieur Bertuccio

Finally!
(view spoiler)[ I was wondering what Albert had to do with all this. Finally! Fernand is his dad! *insert scary music*
And wth with Mercédès? She recognises him and says nothing?! Yikes! (hide spoiler)]

[Melindam]

SandyL wrote: "I'm on Chapter 57 and the Count is [spoilers removed]
That's one of my favourite chapters. It is delightfully set up, (view spoiler)[ how the Count manipulates the Cavalcantis and how open they are to accept their parts in his intrigue. (hide spoiler)]

[Jammin Jenny]

SandyL wrote: "I'm on Chapter 57 and the Count is [spoilers removed]

There are so many mentions on how pale the Count is. Could it be [spoilers removed]"

That's where I am now too - listening to it on audio. It's such a melodrama! I love it!

[SandyL]

I know Jenny - I love the drama and intrigue and manipulation by the Count! I didn't think I would enjoy this book this much! I'm up to Ch 60 I think and the Count is holding (view spoiler)[his dinner party with the Villaflours, the Danglars, the Calvancantis and a few others and is stirring the pot! (hide spoiler)]

[SandyL]

Curiouser and curiouser! I'm up through chapter 68 and (view spoiler)[the Villaforts and Danglers are starting the feel the manipulations of the Count. (hide spoiler)]

I'm really interested to know if (view spoiler)[ the Count knew that Villafort had come back to the house and tried to dig up the baby and couldn't find it. He knows the Count is lying to them....is the Count toying with them or did he overlook something? (hide spoiler)]

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Chapter 51 - The Morrel Family

I loved this chapter! How nice (view spoiler)[ to see that what Edmund is doing also has a positive impact. Like, if the moral to the story is that your actions have consequences ; I like that we are shown positive and negative ones (hide spoiler)]

[Melindam]

SandyL wrote: "Curiouser and curiouser! I'm up through chapter 68 and [spoilers removed]

I'm really interested to know if [spoilers removed]"

I think the Count seems to know pretty much everything or at least this is what Dumas seems to want the readers to believe. (view spoiler)[It's actually a quite nice counterpoint that he does not know about Valentine's and Maximilien's love and also he's a bit in the dark about what Mercedes' and Albert's reactions to his actions will be. (hide spoiler)]

[Marie (UK)]

Well I have finished - Phew! i don't think i have ever taken so long to read a book.
Dumas has a brilliant narrative style, I can see how this book was serialised and even which points would be great to finish a section.
There are, as is common in classical writing, some flowery descriptions but they seem to add rather than subtract from the whole. The characterisations are brilliant and Dante has so many aliases it is hard to keep a grasp of them at times. (view spoiler)[ I like that Edmund has misgivings about the hand he has played at the end and whether he has gone too far. The ending is really well brought out and I enjoyed both the reunions and the motto that Edmund gives to Maximillian "wait and hope" It is a motto that we often have to live by today. (hide spoiler)]

My translation was excellent (Robin Buss) and the footnotes explained historical concepts or people only so were very unobtrusive.

Thanks for this excellent buddy read
Signing off for Team Cedric Diggory - although i will come back to see what you all think

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

SandyL wrote: "I also wonder how he knew (view spoiler)[Bertuccio's background with the Villafours? He has really set things up brilliantly and I love how he develops such admiration and affection from people, knowing that he's either going to use them or destroy them at some point for his revenge...." (hide spoiler)]
Yes I wondered that too. And good point!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

SandyL wrote: "I'm on Chapter 57 and the Count is [spoilers removed]

There are so many mentions on how pale the Count is. Could it be [spoilers removed]"

That's one of the interesting things about this book for me. How characters are introduced and you are trying to work out why and how they fit and then BOOM you find out.
This guy has his revenge planned down to a very fine detail I think!!

Good point about the (view spoiler)[ paleness. I remember thinking it and then forgot about it again. Part of his disguise perhaps? (hide spoiler)]

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

SandyL wrote: "Curiouser and curiouser! I'm up through chapter 68 and [spoilers removed]

I'm really interested to know if [spoilers removed]"

I wondered this too. I can only assume the Count mentioned the (view spoiler)[ baby in the garden on purpose. It is his first quite deliberate (obvious?) move. Maybe he wants them to start understanding the noose closing in (hide spoiler)]

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Chapter 70 - The Ball

Well done Marie in finishing! I'm still ploughing through! I am really enjoying it, but at the same time I have a line of books I need to read lol

I've given my thoughts on this section above in responding to others. It is really getting intriguing now to see how all the unknowing pawns in the Count's game are starting to feel a net closing in

[Eldarwen]

Sarah wrote: "I finally started and have read chapter 1. I think I'm feeling more intimidated than ever so it's good to see you're all enjoying it.

It always takes a little bit for my kindle to get the reading..."

Hahahaha, I feel you ;-)
It may take long, but it IS a book that reads well. (Says the one who manages maybe 5 pages a day at the moment, which is terrible but at least I'm moving forward.) Just don't look at the time left ;-)

[Eldarwen]

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Chapter 70 - The Ball

Well done Marie in finishing! I'm still ploughing through! I am really enjoying it, but at the same time I have a line of books I need to read lol

I've given my thoughts on ..."

Reading this.. I cannot WAIT to get to that part in the book :-D
Love me some good intrigue hehe.

[Sarah]

@ Eldarwen - well I stalled a week ago after chapter 2. :(

I've been sick and couldn't cope with the extra brain power required for the French - especially with all the nautical vocab of chapter one that was new to me.

Maybe the library has a free English version so I can try again.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Fair enough sarah!
There is a free version on kindle if you have a kindle or device with a kindle app