The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

[Zara's Retreat]

This thread is to discuss Alexandre Dumas's book, The Count of Monte Cristo.


***Please remember to mark spoilers.***

Participants:
Theresa, Kelsi, Stefani - SpelingExpirt, Maureen, Tasha, Jennifer, Lilac, Greg, Ian, Rachel, Payten, Denise, Angelique, Meg, Sirius, Robyn, Nwanyidimma, Bookwench69

[Zara's Retreat]

Suggested break down of reading so that you can check in and let us know how you're going. The following breakdown is purely a suggestion and is therefore not set in stone.

Rather than putting dates for each section I've done it so that it takes into account that not everybody will necessarily have the book at the same time.

Month 1: 424 pages
Month 2: 424 pages
Month 3: 424 pages

[Theresa~OctoberLace]

I own both the Kindle and Audiobook versions. The audiobook is 52 hours and 45 minutes, broken into 6 parts. Assuming we stick to a 6 month schedule, I'll listen to one part per month.

[Canadian Dragon]

I am in for this

[Maureen]

Can I join please. It is on my TBR pile for ages.
I hope this is the right way to sign up for buddy reads. If not, let me know.

[Stefani - SpelingExpirt]

I loved the film of this so I'm in for this buddy read.

[Zara's Retreat]

Welcome Stefani - SpelingExpirt, Tasha & Maureen and good luck.

[Jenn T Rogers]

I'm in. I need it for another challenge and I've always wanted to read it.

[Zara's Retreat]

Jennifer wrote: "I'm in. I need it for another challenge and I've always wanted to read it."

Jennifer I've added you.

[Lilac]

I'm in too, I've been wanting to read this for ages :)

[Zara's Retreat]

Lilac I've added you. Welcome.

[Theresa~OctoberLace]

Weather predictions for January 1st in Texas include temps in the 30s and possible frozen precipitation. The plan is to stay home, listen to The Count of Monte Cristo on my iPod, and work on my cross stitch piece, And They Sinned :

[Zara's Retreat]

Theresa~OctoberLace wrote: "Weather predictions for January 1st in Texas include temps in the 30s and possible frozen precipitation. The plan is to stay home, listen to The Count of Monte Cristo on my iPod, and w..."

Beautiful cross stitch Theresa.

[Theresa~OctoberLace]

Thanks,Zara. I'm almost 2/3 finished with that one, and it's over 4 feet high.

[Kelsi]

This book is amazing. I can't wait to hear what others think!

[Theresa~OctoberLace]

I realized that we had planned this book for 3 months, to be followed in April by Les Misérables. Zara can you update the suggested reading schedule? For the audiobook, I'll plan 2 parts (out of 6) per month.

Since I'm fast-tracking another Buddy Read, I listened to just enough of this book this morning to tell I'm going to love the book and the narration.

[Zara's Retreat]

corrected Theresa.

[Kara]

This is one of my all-time favorite books. Enjoy!

[[deleted user]]

I'm in. Currently on page 705 (Chapter LXIV: The Beggar) - Robin Buss translation. I'm going to read it straight through.

[Ian]

I am in for this :)

[Rachel]

I would love to do this as well! I really want to read this and could use some motivation to get 'er done! Correct me if I'm wrong, but we're reading Count of Monte Cristo over a 3 month period? Sounds doable! YAY!

[Zara's Retreat]

Greg, Ian & Rachel I have added you all.

[Payten]

I'm definitely in! Knocking off another book from my TBR :)

[Zara's Retreat]

updated

[Rachel]

I've read through chapter 7. Anyone else started? Let me just say, since I know the big plot points of the story already, this is the most heartbreaking story ever! Alexandre Dumas must have been a pessimist.

For those who haven't started, I'm getting through about 2% of the book a day, and I'm finding it easier to read than I anticipated. Good luck!

[Angelique]

I have this on my schedule to read for March, so can I participate, please?

[Zara's Retreat]

I've added you Angelique. Welcome.

[[deleted user]]

I finished on Sunday. Despite being a very long book, it's a quick read. It's a good book too, but I didn't love it the way some readers do. 3.75 stars. I'm going to hold back detailed comments until more people have finished.

[Ian]

I started reading this last night. I found it so much easier to read than I expected. Really enjoying it so far.....but only about 3% through

[Jenni]

One of my favorite books of all time! Definitely can't wait to hear what everyone thinks!

[Meg]

Hi, can I join in too? By complete coincidence I just started listening to this book last week and was hoping to finish by March. I'm currently 6 chapters in. This will be my first buddy read.

[Zara's Retreat]

Hi Meg,

I have added you. Enjoy your reading.

[Meg]

I'm up to chapter 33 and I feel a bit weighed down by this book - only 26% through! I'm listening to the audio and some individual chapters are over an hour long, and there are over 100 chapters! I really enjoyed the Dantes parts of the story, but now it is going a bit off topic. I attempted to read this book about 5 years ago and I think I am nearly up to the point where I gave up last time. I really want to push through though because everyone says the ending is fantastic.

[Angelique]

Meg wrote: "I'm up to chapter 33 and I feel a bit weighed down by this book - only 26% through! I'm listening to the audio and some individual chapters are over an hour long, and there are over 100 chapters! I..."

Yep, I know how you feel, I am sort of where you are and I was having a hard time concentrating last night. I constantly found other things to do or think about.

[Theresa~OctoberLace]

Sorry I haven't been reading this yet, but systems conversions and 2014 fiscal close have kept me working 7 days a week lately. Hopefully it will slack off soon. I really look forward to reading this.

[Ian]

Meg wrote: "I'm up to chapter 33 and I feel a bit weighed down by this book - only 26% through! I'm listening to the audio and some individual chapters are over an hour long, and there are over 100 chapters! I..."

I am about 23% done and am still enjoying it at the moment! Hopefully I won't get to disheartened by the upcoming chapters!

[Patrik]

Ooh, count me in!(Was there pun intended? I'm not sure.) I'm currently reading this and I've read something like 20 pages. Maybe this challenge would ease up my reading a little.

[Zara's Retreat]

Sirius I've added you.

[Meg]

I'm in the mid forties of chapter count now. The last couple of chapters have picked up a bit. I could tell I was getting into it when I drove 10 minutes past my street because I was distracted by the story. Oops

[Angelique]

I'm still plodding through this. I think it's a good book, but I'm having trouble keeping track on who's who and who did what. This is aggravated by the use of different names and titles for one and the same person.

But then having a e-reader is quite an advantage! I can let the machine do the searching in stead of having to flick through 700 pages looking for that single section that clarifies things.

[Nwanneka]

just picked up my copy....I had no idea it was as long as it is but I am up for breaking it into sections....Off I go with the first 424 pages!

[Ian]

Angelique wrote: "I'm still plodding through this. I think it's a good book, but I'm having trouble keeping track on who's who and who did what. This is aggravated by the use of different names and titles for one an..."

Also still plodding through! I know what you mean....it gets confusing.....

Can anyone who is over 40% done answer me this.... (view spoiler)[ did the Villefort who was the magistrate responsible for sending Dante to jail get murdered in his garden? Or was it someone else? I am now about 48% done, and there seems to be a Villefort still in it - and I remember the Count saying when he listened to the story something like "Or maybe he isn't dead..." (hide spoiler)]

[Angelique]

Ian wrote: "Can anyone who is over 40% done answer me this.... "

Short answer: (view spoiler)[No, he is still alive (hide spoiler)]

I finally finished the book. I loved the story, but it could have been written in a lot less words. But as my son kindly pointed out to me: "It was written in the 1800's Ma, what do you expect!"

[Ian]

Angelique wrote: "Ian wrote: "Can anyone who is over 40% done answer me this.... "

Short answer: [spoilers removed]

I finally finished the book. I loved the story, but it could have been written in a lot less word..."

Ok thanks! (view spoiler)[ I am guessing at hasn't been revealed who was killed instead? Or if it was a failed attempt to kill him? (hide spoiler)]

[Angelique]

Ian wrote: "Angelique wrote: "Ian wrote: "Can anyone who is over 40% done answer me this.... "

Short answer: [spoilers removed]

I finally finished the book. I loved the story, but it could have been written ..."

Sorry Ian, I'm not gping to tell you!

[Stefani - SpelingExpirt]

How is everyone getting on with this? I am on chapter 38. It took me a while to get into it and then I got a bit lost for the last few chapters but I'm back into it now (I hope).

[Meg]

I'm at chapter 86. But I'm taking a break at the moment. I'm struggling to get through this book.

[Stefani - SpelingExpirt]

It is definitely slow going! I'm on chapter 52 now so not too bad for one night but I feel like I'm falling behind on reading the books I'm supposed to review.
It took me three weeks to read Anna Karenina so I am determined to finish this in less time.

[[deleted user]]

I forgot about this group. I finished reading in January.

A few things come to mind:

1. It was long, but an easy read. I didn't find it slow going like a lot of readers. Maybe that is just modern expectations of what a plot should be like, but it's style didn't put me off.

2. Once I accepted the Count's penchant for revenge served cold, I just when with the flow, though I would have killed every body if I were in his shoes.

3. The size of the Count's treasure was a detriment to the plot, I thought, it gave him basically unlimited funds to do whatever he wanted - too easy. Wealth, but not limitless wealth, would have made it more interesting.

4. The edition I read started with conversation between a critic and the translator: the critic called it a fine children's novel and the translator defending it as something more than that. After finishing the book, I finding myself sort of siding with the critic. It's not a children's book per se, but it's world view is often child like and simple. There are hints of maturity, of course, like the matter of fact treatment of a presumed lesbian relationship - so shocking early translations watered it down. So what do others think - is it mostly a children's book?

[Stefani - SpelingExpirt]

I think language and length prevent it from ever being fully a children's book but the rather simplistic way that everything falls together exactly right and everyone is linked in together quite a childish plot device.