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The Count of Monte Cristo
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The Count of Monte Christo
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I read the first few chapters a week or so ago. I feel like reading something with a happy ending though - already in the first three chapters the poor sailor guy had people wanting to make his life miserable, just when things actually start to look up for him. Somehow I just didn't want to know the ending to that story.
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Thanks Barbara for setting up this thread. Looking forward to reading this book, I really dont have any idea what the book is about but lots of people say how good it is. We will find out. If anyone want to join us in reading this book youre more than welcome.:-)
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I actually starting reading this book yesterday 28th sorry Barbara, but I had finished my other book and was eager to get started. First of all I was quite surprised at quickly I managed to get into this book, with some older books there is always a sort of language barrier that one has to come to grips with first, I dont find that here, and I am happily skipping through the pages with ease.It reads really wonderfully considering it was written in 1844. I am currently upto 4% on my kindle and the chapter that I am reading is The Examination.
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I was also a bit apprehensive to start because of the comment Kahlan made and I must say it wasn't as bad as she makes it out. Yeah there are some people who want to make Edmond's life misserable, but if it wasn't for some unfortunate coincidences they wouldn't have succeeded.
It's oke Emma, I almost did the same thing. I have however another book I want to finish before february and I made a dent into reading that book yesterday. And I still have to read a lot of pages today of that book since that book has almost 1100 pages and I'm almost halfway through. What is it with me and big books? Why can't I just read nice books of 200 pages?
Sorry, I was having an emo moment. *hides*
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And I know what you mean :) I'm also reading The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett and there is this character in this book that I would like to smack in the face and yesterday I was getting so frustrated with all the set backs they are experiencing I almost put the book down. Maybe that's why The Count of Monte Christo doesn't seem to bad to me. Give it a try again later when you're not as emotional.
I think thats the whole idea of this book, that the odds can be so against you and yet through sheer luck and not to mention determination you can come up trumps,and get your revenge all at the same time :-) I am currently on the Chapter titles The unknown and its about 18%. The version that I downloaded does not have chapter numbers for some reason so I am not sure if you are ahead of me Barbara. There are some aspects of the book I would like to mention, but obviously I dont want to give too much of the game away if you havent read it yet, would rather wait until you have. The little room n the Tuillers does not ring a bell with me, so maybe you are further ahead than I am.I wonder why I have never read this book before, its so wonderful. Arent you just dying for Edmond to get even? The book is long, but at no time have I been bored or thought to myself 'Oh come on hurry up"
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We obviously work with a different version and translation of the book because the chapter The Unknown is unknown to me (no pun intended). By the way the chapter The little room in the tuilleries was were de Villefort went to the King to tell him about Napoleon invading. I always update daily what I am reading so you can always look at my profile page and see how far along I am. Besides I more or less decided to read at least 10 chapters a day, because it is an easy read and for just to keep the speed in the book. That means I will be finished in 12 days total. I also have a lot of time to read right now. That means that I will be ahead of you I think the whole way through the book. If for some reason I'm not and you mention something here that I haven't read yet I will stopp reading the discussion untill I'm caught up. So mention away, what aspects do you want to discuss.
I'm scared to mention stuff to give away things for you.
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Wow you certainly can read fast. Been busy with things last couple of days so today is the only real day I have to myself, so can get some reading done.:-)I enjoyed the relationship that Edmond and Faria developed through their captivity, and the way that the old abbe imparted all his knowledge to this young man. Everything that was taught him will surely come in use in time, and it will be interesting to see how.
Last night I just completed the part where Edmond under the guise of an abbot went to see Caderousse who then unbeknownst to himself divulged the plot to have Edmond arrested for a Bonapartist. There is a part of me Barbara that thinks that Caderousse got off much too lightly, yes he was drunk at the time, but even after Edmonds arrest at no point did he inform the authorities of this plot, and at the very least Caderousse is an accessory. Maybe Edmond saw that Caderousses life had not turned out so well anyway, unlike Danglars and Fernand and decided that he couldnt add to the mans woes. What do you think?
So many questions to ask at this point:
Where does Edmond go from here?
How is he going to get his revenge on his conspirators, and will he get Mercedes back, for surely she will have to be told of the involvement of Fernand (her now husband). At what point will Edmond reveal himself?
Oh well...lets read on :-)
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Well I see Caderousse as one of the weak individuals on this earth. You have people who will do anything they can for someone else and even jump in front of a bullit for a stranger and there are people who wouldn't lift a finger to help a friend because they are wek. I think Caderousse is the latter. It says enough that he come to collect the loan when Edmond was away at sea. he could then pray on the weaker father instead of the stronger son. I think Edmond let him go because he did sort of try to help his father towards the end of his life. He didn't add to the woes of the father anyway. Besides he was the one who gave the news to Edmond which was very important to Edmond. Maybe it is more important for Edmond to take care of Danglars and Fernand first. Get the big guys before you get the little guy. And maybe he's building him up to let his fall be greater later on. I don't really know. I hope we will learn more about his motives later on. But it is strange that he thinks at this point that there isn't a score to settle, because he does believe in settling scores.
I also loved the part with the Abbe Faria. It could have been written down more extensively though. I don't mind how it is written down now, but the guy spent 14 years in prison and he was taught all kinds of things during a couple of those years and it all flies by in a couple of pages. Or so it feels. A bit more in depth description about what he learned instead of just stating he learned langusages and science. I would have loved to read some discussions that Faria and Edmond would have about the stuff he learned. But the book is big enough so that's maybe why that isn't included.
O, where Edmond goes from here. I know already, at least a part of it and it wasn't all what I was expecting, I can tell you that.
But indeed let's read on and see what happens...
I also agree Barbara that I would have liked Edmonds lessons to be more decriptive, as I found it fascinating that this old man could make pen and ink from the things that were in his prison cell.The benefit of such a long book Barbara is the ability to compare each chapters as you go along. Some books I can read in a day, and it all seems to go by so quickly that you can forget what really happened. With The Count there is alot to think and reflect on. Its actually really nice to do that here.
Another part I wanted to mention and that I just read this morning was the way that Edmond dealt with Morrel his old captain. At one point Barbara I was very frustrated and a little irritated that Edmond knowing that Morrel was in such a dire situation, didnt just give him the money to cover his debts and be done with it. Morrel was at a point that he was willing to commit suicide to rid himself and his family of this awful humiliation, and I was desperate for Edmond to really put him out of his misery. Yes it would have been easier to give the man money, but how do you restore a mans reputation? that is what had been destroyed. What Edmond did was so clever that he had a replica of the Pharoan built and had the ship sail into port with all the eyes of this city beholding it, this Morrel was able to pay his debts and more. It was actually quite touching and I was relieved.
The only part that I am tending to struggle with is Franz and Albert in Rome, I am wondering of what relevance is all this? I can vaguely remember that Fernand is now called Morcerf, and now Franz is also called Morcerf, is Franz Fernand's and Mercedes son? I am wondering what part is Edmond actually playing in this particularly part of the story, as you have Sinbad the sailor and vampa etc anyway...as you say lets read on.
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You say that you're not sure what part Edmond is playing in the story. I do think you have missed a bit and not made a link. Edmond said to Julie Morrel that when she got a letter from Sinbad the Sailor that she should do as she was bidden in that letter. The letter came and sent her to his old apartment where she retrieved the purse he got from Caderousse which once belonged to M. Morrel. That means that Edmond is using the alias Sinbad the Sailor. And that should clear up what part Edmond is playing in the part of the story that is playing out in Rome.
I'm now 43 % into the book and I can say it all still makes sense. But you have to be very sensitive too names and insinuations. Everything is connected to everything else. I still have a few questions but I think they will be cleared up later on.
About why Edmond just didn't give Morrel the money. How could he? If a stranger walks up to you and gives you a fortune a good and honourable man as M. Morrel couldn't just take it. So he has either reveal himself to be Edmond Dantes and tell what has happened which would effectualy kill him and all ideas of recvenge, because he escaped prison and I'm sure they would at least put him in prison again under even harsher restrictions or hang him. Or he could help M. Morrel by subterfuge which is exactly what he has done.
I love a long book that is this well crafted. It doesn't get his length due to unimportant babble, but because Dumas is realy building a story with a lot of sublevels. I think this is a book that gets better if you reread it. I don't think I am getting all the hints and hidden meanings in events. I discover so many that I am sure I'm missing some. I really want to thank you for suggesting to read this one. I might even read the other famous Dumas novel The three musketeers later this year. I am so curious to see if that book is as well written.
As I was reading this afternoon Barbara I discovered my mistake by naming Franz as the Morcerf and not Albert. I wasnt expecting that Edmond disclose himself to Morrel and in person give him the money, but at the time I thought that Edmond was dragging it out too much, and maybe because I felt empathy for Morrel I wanted his torture to be at an end. I know he did leave the diamond with Julie. But anyway it did have me scrolling through the pages eagerly awaiting how Edmond was going to deal with Morrel and his debts. It was really wonderfuly done in the end.When Franz and Albert are introduced into the story though, these are new characters and then you hear for the first time of Vampa and Teresa and also Sinbad the sailor is again into the story. At this stage I wasnt sure what role Edmond was playing, and that part did confuse me a little. It is slowly coming together now, as Albert has been captured by Vampa. Anyway it is like a jigsaw puzzle that after a few pieces have been set it all becomes clearer.
:-)
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Comparing the story with a jigsaw puzzle is a good comparison. Except that the puzzle keeps on growing and there are still more connections to be made. It is incredible to see all the characters linked to one another. If you think about it there aren't that many charachters in the book, but it is one web of connections. It is really well done and a pleasure to read.
I understand what you mean with wanting Morrel's torture to end. For a couple of pages I was rushing to read it because I was afraid the rescue would come to late as it almost did. But it was funny to notice that I was reading faster than normal anxious to find out what would happen.
The funny thing is that in the part I am reading now nothing much exciting is happening and still I want to read on and on and see how what Edmond is doing will benefit him in the end when he takes his revenge. I do hope he gets his revenge.
Barbara I am wondering if you can clear something up for me. I am 45% into the book, quite a feat but an enjoyable one, although I am a little confused. I have read the part where The Counts servant (forgive my spelling I am not sure how is name is written as I write this) Bentuccio, well this servant tells us of how he also wanted revenge on Villefort and describes in detail how he apprehended him in the garden of the house that the count has now purchased. Bentuccio says that he plunged a knife into him, I had assumed that he had killed him, and yet now I am reading that Villefort is not dead at all, and now the Count has made his acquaintance? So I am a little puzzled. Can you by any chance clear this up for me? :-)
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I can only assume that it is part of Edmond's plan to introduce the two again at a for him opportune moment and that it somehow plays a part in his revenge.
But wow, did you have so much time to read or did you pull an all nighter? To catch up like that. I'm now 54 % into the book and there are still pieces of the puzzle being introduced and I can't wait to see how it will all end. In my version I only have to read about 600 pages and I think I'm going to try to finish it this weekend. The book never once has bored me. Never once was I tired of something that was going on. Yeah I wonder where it will all lead but that is curiousity. I don't know how Dumas does it keep a book this interesting for so long. Normally when a book is this long there are moments of boredom. But not with this book.
Hi Barbara, well I was busy on Tuesday this week so never had much time for any reading but Wednesday and Thursday I read quite alot so managed to catch up. I am now on 50% I havent read anything today. Yes you are right that at no time does bentuccio say that Villefort died, we are just left with the assumption that he did,when I thought that he had been killed to be quite frank I was dissapointed as this was one person I really wanted to get his comeuppance. Anyway much to my dismay and yes now relief the man is not dead, but inline for his just desserts. :-)
Phew I cannot believe that I have managed to complete this book over the weekend, saying that I wasnt feeling too well sat aft and today so I have had plenty of time to read. I must admit that the book did become so intriguing that I just had to finish it, and yet it was like getting blood out of stone everytime I turned the pages. I dont know whether in conclusion that you can say Revenge is sweet, after all what does it really acccomplish. This was a good read but an exhausting one I havent read a book this long in a long while. :-)
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I have loved this story from the first to the last page and I truly find this book a masterpiece. If there was a sequel I would have loved to read it to find out what happens with Mercedes and Albert and if Edmond and Haydee get married, but alas those are questions we will never have answers for.
Yes it was quite a read if you refer to the length of the book, but it wasn't too much. I will defenitely reread this book 10 or 15 years from now and see what else is there to discover that I missed the first time.
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Thankyou Barbara. This book is a classic that people can really get their teeth into, and one that they shouldnt be afraid to read. There were times Ill admit when I was getting rather impatient, but that is just in my nature Barbara. The scene when Mercedes goes to Edmond to beg for her sons life was so touching and the dialogue so wonderfully written that it pulled at my heartstrings, I could picture Mercedes uncovering her veil with tears streaming down her face, and Edmonds anguish of a lost love. I would love to watch the film Barbara. I told a friend of mine that I was reading this book and she told me that years ago there was a tv series on the Count of Monte Cristo and the french actor Gerard Depardieu played Edmond. There is also a film which was produced in 2008 obviously much shorter version of the book, where Jim Calviezel played the count, he was the actor who played Jesus in the passion of the Christ. I would love to get my hands on the tv series though, as I am sure that that would have done the book justice more than a 90 minute film. Have you ever seen either of them Barbara?
PS: Would you now read any of Dumas other books, i.e. The three Muskateers, the man in the iron mask? What are you considering reading next?And just to say thanks so much for letting me read along with you, I have really enjoyed discussing the book with you :-)
There are some classic books that I would like to read sometime this year. If they are books that you would like to also read maybe we could read these together again?
Anyway here are some of them:
North and South By Elizabeth Gaskell
Great Expecations By Charles Dickens
Larkrise to Candleford By Flora Thompson
Les Miserables
Frankenstein Mary Shelley
The hunchback of Notre Dame
and Dumas other books.
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O the scene with Mercedes. I was almost crying along with Mercedes. I was hoping they would fall into each others arms but I'm glad they didn't. It wouldn't have been right.
I have seen the tv-movie with Richard Chamberlain when I was 8 or 10 and loved it. Fell right in love with Richard Chamberlain. But that was a standard length movie and after reading the book I think only a miniseries can do it justice. I don't know if I want to watch a miniseries with Gerard Depardieu as Edmond. I looked it up and it was filmed in 1999. I know him mostly as a comedic actor but on the other hand he has done a lot of clasical pieces. So he might be perfect. It is also filmed in french.
The movie with Jim Caviezel is from 2002 and is only two hours. I doubt it can do justice to all the intricacies of the book.
I would definitely read other Dumas books. I have the three musketeers and I will defintely be reading that one later this year. I have promised Lauren to read Paradise lost with her. But maybe as soon as after I have finished that book I will read the three musketeers. The man in the iron mask I don't have but I would also like to read that one. I want to see if he can do it again. You know right a terrific book. I'm very curious.
The next books on my list to read are The lost symbol by Dan Brown, World without End by Ken Follett, Paradise Lost by Milton, A book by Jean Plaidy I forgot the title but I think it is something of battle of the queens, the echo in the bone by Diana Gabaldon and a short story collection of Star Trek. Very different books as you can see.
I loved discussing with you too. It made reading this book extra fun. If ever you want to do this again I am up for it.
I actually wanted to read The Three Musketeers after reading The Club Dumas, which I thought was absolutely brilliant - it instantly became one of my favourite books, and it's perfect if you like books about books.
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I highly recommend The Club Dumas. It's a metafictional mystery about a sort of mercenary antique book collector/detective named Corso. He finds, buys and sells antique books. There are two intertwined strands to the plot, one involving an original manuscript of a chapter from The Three Musketeers, and the other involving a book called The Nine Doors, which is supposed to be able to summon the devil. The novel is full of literary references and puzzles, many of which involve Dumas's novels, and there's also a lot of info on antique books - authenticating and faking them. It sounds like that might make the novel boring in parts, but it's actually very interesting, especially for people who like to collect books. I won't say anymore; it's the kind of novel that should unfold on its own.Roman Polanski made a movie based on the book - The Ninth Gate. It was utter rubbish though, nothing like the book at all, basically removing everything that made the story so interesting and clever. It's not something that can really be filmed anyway. If you haven't watched it, don't (it would also spoil the book a tad if you did).
I've read a children's version of The Three Musketeers, so I was familiar with the plot, which is probably why I didn't read it right away. Also, I don't often read classics :) But when I'm ready to do so I'd like to read The Three Musketeers and then re-read The Club Dumas.
I would definately want to read more Dumas, so if maybe at some point you would like to, then let me know, I would love to read along with you.
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I saw the movie first, and then read the book after...and I must say that although I enjoyed the book, it was one of the few times that I was happier with the movie. Why? Because the movie ending is more well rounded and well...happier, than the book. Mercedes and Edmond should have ended up together!
Emma and I are going to read this book starting on the 29th. You're welcome to join us.