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The Count of Monte Cristo: June Reading, Chapters 1-38 (Unabridged); Chapters 1-29 (Abridged)
Mod
Sadly still waiting for my copy to arrive and finishing up a bunch of other things like Me Talk Pretty One Day. But cannot wait to start!
I should start the book this weekend. My abridged version is only 600 pages. I think that Dini might have have the same or a similar version.
Mod
There's a movie version from 2000 starring James Caviezel and Guy Pearce, but they change / leave out a lot of the story, especially towards the end. Still, I thought it was enjoyable. You could probably rent it after reading the first section and not encounter spoilers.There's also a tv movie starring Gerard Depardieu that's supposed to be pretty good. haven't seen it yet, but I just added it to my netflix queue
I like the 2000 movie. But as you say, it doesn't do justice to the original.Le Comte de Monte Cristo, being a french tome, is as complicated as any french movie. That's why we love it--watching all those parts move into place just so.
It's like watching the mechanism of a clock!
;)
T
When they describe how Edmond's voice had changed, it sounded like George Clooney's (nothing wrong with that,teehee)to me. So I tend to picture him as George.=)
How COULD a movie do justice to a 1500 page book? I've heard it's pretty close to the abridged version, though.
Well it's a good movie. I like the fencing.;)
T
Mod
Well then Alison go for the 2000 movie.;)
**** WARNING! SPOILERS! ******
We could start by reviewing why all this is happening, although the book covers it of course.
I assume everyone knows Napoleon was defeated *before* Waterloo, in 1814, and exiled to the island of Elba in the Mediterranean. Of course he escaped and returned to France, re-forming his army and taking over the country again, leading to the battle of Waterloo in 1815 and his final defeat.
The Napoleonic wars were the biggest seen in Europe until WWI, and the changes of regime from Emperor to King (Louis XVIII who was Louis XVI's brother) to Emperor to King must have been very traumatic, and of course very dangerous for anyone on the wrong side--and the "wrong" side kept changing.
BTW, you guys know that this novel is based on a true story, right?
;)
T
Mod
Yes...very interesting back story to note. It's almost impossible to follow the first part of this novel without doing a little research on Napoleon, and all that was going on in that time frame.
I'm getting a lot of use from my character list as well...as the names are French and it's a little difficult to keep up with who is who. Also, it's a bit difficult to keep up with Edmond and his aliases as well at times.
My favorite chapter so far has been "The Fifth of September". I can almost see the entire chapter play out on the screen. Very dramatic.
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I know. I'm a dork.
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I'm like, what does this have to do with Guy Fawkes? Yeah, total dork.
Guy Fawkes is something of the archetypal master saboteur (ironic since his ultimate plot was foiled). His link to the Count is the same as his link to V, of Vendetta fame, I think. All three have very similar personalities, so I think it's a great allusion in both cases.The Fifth of October is another chapter later in the book...perhaps not a mistake that the following fifth chronologically is that of November.
The Man in the Iron Mask is also based on a "true" story. Dumas is a fantastic historical fiction writer as well as adventure novelist. Two reasons why I love his books.
Even the abridged version of the book is more detailed than the 2000 movie. If you like fencing, you'll love the movie. There's much more fencing in the movie than in the book (which in fact has very little fencing). It's only appropriate and to be expected I suppose when considering the target audiences.
Tom had it exactly right when he said the story is like watching the mechanisms of a clock. I think it could be caught on film, but it would take a monumental effort, ala Lord of the Rings.
Alison - I was perusing these posts to get a sense of whether or not I want to take on the "Count" this summer, when I came across your comment about Gerard Depardieu. You don't find him attractive? But he's so, so ... Gallic! He's definitely on my "I'm Married, But ..." list! Still not sure about reading this book, however. There's just so much of it!
Please definitely give it a chance if you have the time, Deborah! You'll be hooked from the start and you won't regret reading it, even if you don't finish it this summer. I promise! It's one of my favorite books. :) and a surprisingly easy read considering it's length.Regarding M. Depardieu...can't say he's exactly my cup of tea either, but he's definitely more French than the others, making him somewhat more suited for the role, given how integral French history is in the story.
dug up my favorite quotes as promised. I think most are from the first half of the book:"We are always in a hurry to be happy, M. Danglars; for when we have suffered a long time, we have great difficulty in believing in good fortune."
"Cedant arma togae"
"He recollected the prayers his mother had taught him, and discovered a new meaning in every word; for in prosperity prayers seem but a mere medley of words, until misfortune comes and the unhappy sufferer first understands the meaning of the sublime language in which he invokes the pity of heaven!"
"I had nearly five thousand volumes in my library at Rome; but after reading them over many times, I found out that with one hundred and fifty well-chosen books a man possesses, if not a complete summary of all human knowledge, at least all that a man need really know."
"Misfortune is needed to bring to light the treasures of the human intellect. Compression is needed to explode gunpowder. Captivity has brought my mental faculties to a focus; and you are well aware that from the collision of clouds electricity is produced -- from electricity, lightning, from lightning, illumination."
"Is the world filled with tigers and crocodiles?" "Yes; and remember that two-legged tigers and crocodiles are more dangerous than the others."
Mod
Deborah, I'm sure the French have a lot more to draw from, considering he's a big star over there. But my only point of reference is "Green Card", so I have to pass on Depardieu. Jim Caviezel is a different story, however.
The Count is a must-read. Although it IS quite an undertaking. But remember--it reads quickly. It's not dressed up in a lot of fancy language.
Did I TELL you the 5th of September was gonna be great Alison or WHAT???;)
T
Deborah, I agree with Heather you MUST read this--it's one of my fave books as well (so much so that I even have it unabridged, in french--but I think taking THAT on will have to wait til I retire! ;)T
Okay, as we say in the Burgh, "yinz" (that's Pittsburghese for you plural) talked me into it. My local library branch has an available unabridged copy (if I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it right), so I'll pick it up today and commence to swashbuckling!
Mod
Alison--The youth of today! Sheesh!
;)
(I hope I didn't say it to you in French, comme "le cinq Septembre va etre magnifique!!!")
That doesn't look familiar, does it?
;)
T
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I don't think he's actually a really attractive guy, but he's such a genius actor that he makes me believe he is really often!
Hello ladies... and Tom :-)Count me in. I just got this book about 4 days ago
So far so good! I remember Meghan said that this book is a "fast and furious" kind of reading.
well, that's true, Meghan. So very true. This book hooked me right from the start! Love it!
erie :-)
"I don't think he's actually a really attractive guy, but he's such a genius actor that he makes me believe he is really often!" How true. I read a review that said he could read the Paris phone book and make it sound like great literature. Cyrano is one of my faves, I've loved the play since high school and he was perfect (ever noticed his nose looks like a litte pp?) My fave Depardieu movie is Police.I have a couple of books ahead of the Count, they are new books so can't be renewed at the library, bur they're also fast reads. The Count has his work cut out for him, though. When I got home from the library on Wednesday, I discovered that our beloved 12 year old dog, Blue, had taken a turn for the worse. (She was ill and we knew the time was coming.) The vet made time for us to bring her in to be with her and say goodbye. Hopefully, Dumas' book will not suffer by association.
Mod
Here's my little story...skip it if you're in a hurry, or maybe you're actually TRYING to get to sleep...
Backstory: I am home alone this weekend as my kids are at their grandmom's and my husband is somewhere (even HE doesn't know where) in Arkansas fishing. He sent me this e-mail that said : "I hear banjos," so we'll leave it at that.
So this morning, I was standing outside the library waiting on it to open...and this precious little guy (about 14, nationality: possibly Indian ) was sitting there holding the "The Count of Monte Cristo (abridged). So, anyway...I said...are you reading "The Count" and he said "yes" and I said, "Me too." So then we went on talking about the book (he was almost finished but Godblesshim I don't thing he'd understood one thing he'd read. Everytime I referred to Edmond, he was looking at me like I was speaking Japanese.)
So anyway, he said...there's this one chapter I don't understand...I keep reading it over & over...so I glanced over at it...and the title of it was "The Conjugal Visit". So he said he was going to e-mail his teacher to find out about the conjugal visit, and I said, "Good idea" cuz I wasn't going there with him.
Anyway...he was reading The Count for school so then he said, "I also have to read Jane Eyre. What's it about?" So I started telling him the story, and he said, "Like Cinderella, right?" And it was just the cutest, sweetest little comment, I just about cried. So anyway, I wished him luck, cuz he's going to need it. Jane Eyre is some stiff reading for a 14 year old!
That's my story. I said I was home alone right?
Mod
So completely classic about the conjugal visit!
Alison - what a great story! I never made the connection before, if Cinderella wasn't a fairytale, it would be "Jane Eyre." And maybe teachers should get hazard pay for e-mails re "Conjugal Visit!"
I'm about 50 pages into it, and it is cruising along. I just need to find a block of time this weekend to get through a chunk. I also saw the 2000 movie and loved it, but I'm glad to hear that it was very different from the book, because then I have something new to look forward.
Deborah - I'm so sorry to hear about Blue. Our dogs are like part of the family and times like this are always sad and hard. I wish my words could make you feel better.
Mod
I'm sorry, too, Deb. Trust me, I know what it feels like to lose a pet, and my heart goes out to you.
Thanks, everyone, for your support and good wishes. Actually, Blue would have loved the Count. So many hours snuggled on the bed with Mom!
watching parts 1 and 2 (of 4) of the Depardieu miniseries this weekend - not bad so far. Most of the story seems to be there, though it's a bit out of order. Alison, you might be interested to hear that young Edmund is played by Gerard's son, Guillaume Depardieu. [image error]
Mod
Now I know what 5th of September meansthis is my favorite chapter so far. I loved what Dante (anonymously) did to Mr. Morrel. Brilliant!
"Happy? Who can answer for that? Happiness or unhappiness is the secret known but to one's self and the walls -- walls have ears but no tongue; but if a large fortune produces happiness, Danglars is happy."
As Morrel and his son embraced on the pier-head, in the presence and amid the applause of the whole city witnessing this event, a man, with his face half-covered by a black beard, and who, concealed behind the sentry-box, watched the scene with delight, uttered these words in a low tone: "Be happy, noble heart, be blessed for all the good thou hast done and wilt do hereafter, and let my gratitude remain in obscurity like your good deeds."
Mod
I'm not fully through these chapters yet (I believe that I am on Chapter 25), but I am loving this book. I can't believe that it was written so long ago, because what a story! I'm reading the abridged version so I will be curious to see what I've missed, but the abridged version is moving along very quickly. It's very action-packed so far.I haven't seen many comments posted about the book, but I am hoping to add some soon.
Off to reading :)
glad to hear people are enjoying this. I'm really interested in what you all thought of the Italy section. I got bogged down there a bit during my first reading. Mostly because I wanted to stick with Edmund, not switch gears to follow secondary characters. Also this is a section of the film version I'm currently watching that I wasn't too impressed with.Sera, just skimming my abridged version the major differences seem to occur at the end of the second section / beginning of the third.
I have to say, I really am enjoying the book. I was afraid that the style would be too florid for my taste, but I find the slightly antique language in the translation I have to be charming, and it pointed out to me how dispassionate and sometimes antiseptic modern narrative can be. I just finished the Italian section and I'm having great fun trying to figure out just what Dantes is up to!
Mod
Arctic, I actually finished reading the Count for the second time this summer and I have to say that I felt the same way the first time I read the story. I wanted to see what Dante was up to and get the whole plot, you know. I found that the second time I read the book, I really enjoyed taking time to read and think about each part. I was able to take it all in (like seeing a movie for the second time) and really pay attention to the details. So, I totally understand about wanting to stick to the plot.(spoilers just to let you know) Chapter 31 unabridged: About the Italy second, I was surprised to find that The count "introduced" himself to Franz first as Sinbad the Sailor. When I read this in high school, I don't remember that part. So i don't remember if it's in the abridged version or not. I could just not remember. But I think it is incredibly interesting to see how far the Count goes to lay his foundation for his reputation. He meets Franz first and then makes contact again with Franz and Albert in Italy. It just amazes me how intricate the mind of Alexandre Dumas is.
I am so happy to see all the positive comments about the count--you will see from my profile that "Le Comte de Monte Cristo" is one of my fave books.Deborah--good on "y'ins" for reading it! heeheehee!
Then again, I'm surprised to see ppl calling the language "antique" or wondering if a book writeen "so long ago" would be good! It was written in 1844, barely a blink in the history of mankind!
Now, I have a question. It never occurred to me before, but do you think there is a conscious parallel between the name Dantes and the poet "Dante" of the Divine Comedy? (Dante, for those who don't know, travels through Hell and Purgatory before eventually reaching Paradise--which the observant reader will note in my 'currently reading' list...)
Any thoughts?
T
oh and to whoever posted the "sexy" picture of Guillaume Depardieu--you're as bad as a guy!!!heeheehee!
(Must find some Katherine Hepburn photos. Wonder if she was ever in "The Count of....")
;)
Monthly Breakdown for the Unabridged Version
June: Chapters 1-38 [38 chapters]
July: Chapters 39-83 [44 chapters]
August: Chapters 84-117 [33 chapters]
And the correlating abridged version should go something like this...
Monthly Breakdown for the Abridged Version
June: chapters 1-29
July: chapters 30-53
August: chapters 54-71