{2022 - March} The Count of Monte Cristo Volume 2 (chapters 28-47)

[Sean]

Volume Two discussion now open.

[April]

Hi Everyone - Just started reading and excited to be joining the forum. I will write again in a couple weeks once I have made progress!

[Christelle]

I am flying through this second part and really loving it. I am enjoying the shifting point of views but I miss being in Dantes' head, knowing what he is thinking and how he is planning his revenge.

Also, how is everyone feeling about Albert? I know he is an innocent in this revenge plot, but he is not a particularly likeable character. He seems spoiled to me, and lacks seriousness.

Looking forward to reading everyone's thoughts!

[Melissa (ladybug)]

Have just started this section. I am loving and get really into this book. I listen to it as I drive to and from work and read my physical book while at home. The narrator makes me feel that I am actually at a play watching it in real life. He is animated, he really gets into it and I can imagine him walking and gesticulating. He changes voices and gets deep and the emotions really come through. I can hear his voice when I am reading the physical book. I don't want to put it down.

[George P.]

I took a break for about a week since I was up to chapter 46, but just re-downloaded the e-audiobook from the library (The John Lee narration) and listened to another chapter. I'll probably listen to 1% a day, which is just over a chapter, until I get through chap 67 or so, or whatever the next month's quota is.
Some new characters have appeared in the last ten chapters but there are not a great number, as there sometimes seemed to be in War and Peace.
Like Christelle I sometimes wish I could know more of Dante's thoughts and emotions which we got somewhat more of in the early part of the book. We just know him through his actions now. Perhaps this is for a reason? He has plans which Dumas wants to be something of a surprise maybe.

[George P.]

April wrote: "Hi Everyone - Just started reading and excited to be joining the forum. I will write again in a couple weeks once I have made progress!"

Glad you're joining in April. We have another thread for the first 27 chapters, so that's where you can comment on what you read in the first part. Here's a link https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Julie]

Hi everyone. I'm on chapter 44, so almost done with this second part. I've enjoyed people's comments on the book.

Christelle, I agree with your assessment of Albert. He seems a bit entitled. I have to think that his calm behavior during his brush with death in Rome is due more to brashness or ignorance than bravery.

Also, good point about not knowing Dantes' thoughts. In this second part he seems to have changed quite a bit. He was so naive and optimistic and now he seems very capable but much, much grimmer. It would have been interesting to see that gradual transformation.

Looking forward to hearing other people's thoughts!

[Pip]

I'm now up to chapter 35 and am also missing Dante's perspective a little and noticing a need to concentrate a little more. I'm loving being transported to this different time and place when reading and have been marveling at how this was originally written so long ago.

[George P.]

I am finding that by chapter 47 I'm not liking Dantes as much as I did in the first part. He has become rather extravagant and arrogant, IMO. It's not really important to like your protagonist though, as long as you enjoy reading the book. However, I have some hope of seeing him brought back down a peg somehow.

[Megan]

I'm still enjoying the book, but both Albert and Dante are very unlikable characters at this point. I'm curious to see if they undergo any transformation in the rest of the story, and how.