2018 The Count of Monte Cristo (October to December)

[Claire]

HR-ML wrote: "Rafael & Claire---

I have mixed feelings about the book. Dumas must have loved botany- he went on
occasional tangents about plants, flowers,& gardens. The stories within the story seemed @ times ..."

Sorry, I missed your remark.
I haven’t finished the book yet (will probably do over the holidays), but I am very curious on the mixed feelings? Did you have the mixed feelings cause of the story in the story? Did you think it was too far fetched? Or not interesting?
I hope you liked it generally though?

[HR-ML]

Claire----

I'm a bit over halfway on Kindle. I took a 1 week reading break b/c it became too intense: interesting yet frustrating. Revenge is understandable & one reason why conflicts become wars.

Dantes was a good, naïve man before his unjust imprisonment.. The more revenge he got, the > Dantes' character deteriorated.. Dantes had more wealth than he ever imagined, he could have hired a person to investigate the corrupt magistrate, exposed him, had a trial & then ?? Dantes cared not for others left in Newgate, some of whom were likely also unjustly punished? I dread the shock his valet will most likely endure.

[Claire]

Interesting thoughts! I am going to think a bit on this...

[Kirsten]

I loved this book. It didn't feel "hefty". Has anyone read The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, and the Real Count of Monte Cristo? It really adds a new dimension to it.

[HR-ML]

Kirsten----

I did not feel the Count or his story was hefty. More like you start to attain what you desire ( IE revenge) & then the end result is an empty feeling. Mercedes wed another? There were other fish in the sea. W/o his new-found wealth & power could Dantes have put his revenge plan in play? No.

The book you referenced looks interesting.

[Rafael, Brazilian Master of the Bookshelf!]

HR-ML wrote: "Claire----

I'm a bit over halfway on Kindle. I took a 1 week reading break b/c it became too intense: interesting yet frustrating. Revenge is understandable & one reason why conflicts become wars...."

But how he could help these ones? It was not in the 20th century. The Justice was not how it is today.

[HR-ML]

Rafael---

Some would say justice is as it always was, as in the US, IE money talks. IMO Dantes became an emotionally cold man, & he could not see beyond his own nose. Dantes could have tried to help some of the other prisoners, even if he failed. Or he could have advocated for prison reform IE cleaner cells, better food, guards or administrators fired for acceptance of bribes. Maybe I'm being too idealistic?

Dantes who could not take on his tormentors, now became the tormentor.

[Rafael, Brazilian Master of the Bookshelf!]

Do not forget that it was in the 19th century. I agree that he should help other people, but he could not to do these reforms alone.

[HR-ML]

Rafael---

Many corners of the globe enacted reforms, in various eras. And continue to do so. I didn't imply Dantes could accomplish this alone. I hope to finish this book by the end of the yr, barring any needless repetition.

[HR-ML]

Hi all---

What did you think of this book?

[Claire]

I haven’t finished completely, but still enjoying it. And you?

[HR-ML]

I skipped a couple chapters but I'm done.

[Gilbert]

I have read this greatest story of revenge now four times in my life and maybe there will be time for one more time.

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

You are a dedicated reader, Gilbert!