The Count of Monte Cristo: Ch. 1-15

[Marialyce]

I think you are right, Kyle. As a youth I guess we always think things will never happen to us, and so we take risks without really thinking about the consequences. Poor Dantes really does learn a most harsh lesson for his naivete.

[Sarah]

I didn't have a hard time believing that Dantes could be so naive. As children, we tend to think the best of people. As we get older, we have experiences that show us the cruelty of human behavior. There are, however, some people who live very sheltered lives and go to college not really knowing how the world works. My cousin is one such example. Those people are in for a rude awakening at 18 years old. Plus, personlity is a big factor here, too. Not to mention the fact that the story wouldn't have been nearly as interesting or heart-breaking if Dantes weren't so naive.

[Silver]

Kyle wrote: "I wondered about Dantes code of honor that compelled him to deliver the Captain's letter and then agree to take another letter on to Paris. On one hand, it sounds like a sacred sailor tradition to..."

I think part of his delivering the letter was in honor of the dying mans last wish, but I think part of it is also that even though he was dying he was still Dantes commanding officer, and I do think that obeying the orders of your Captain is something that is quite important to sailors, so I think he also felt like he could not disobey the orders given to him by his superior.

[Rachel]

Didn't it say somewhere that he didn't even know anything about the letter, or who received it? When he was being questioned, he seemed to have no clue about it. So it implies that he didn't even realize it had something to do with Napoleon. Unless I missed something, and he did know. But he clearly was honoring his captain's dying wishes, and I personally think that's all it was.

[Silver]

Rachel wrote: "Didn't it say somewhere that he didn't even know anything about the letter, or who received it? When he was being questioned, he seemed to have no clue about it. So it implies that he didn't even r..."

When he visited Elba I think he knew about the connection to Napoleon, because that is the island in which Napoleon was exiled too but I do not think he had any idea to whom the letter was to be delivered to or what the contents of the letter might be or that he was doing anything wrong. In his mind he was just obeying the last wishes as well as the final orders or his captain and so in doing that he could not see himself as being guilty of anything.

[Rachel]

Oh yes, I forgot about is being the island where Napoleon was exiled. How could I forget that? lol

But yes, I agree that he was just obeying his captain. Either he didn't put 2 and 2 together or, like mentioned before, he just assumed that others would be as good as he was.

[Shelli]

Rachel wrote: "I thought this was interesting:
In the introduction in my book, the writer says that the reason the Count of Monte Cristo is super long and has some highly unnecessary detail is because Dumas was p..."

Very interesting....I can think of a few classics I've read that were so overly wordy...maybe the reason?

[Shelli]

Silver wrote: "Kyle wrote: "I wondered about Dantes code of honor that compelled him to deliver the Captain's letter and then agree to take another letter on to Paris. On one hand, it sounds like a sacred sailor..."

I agree Silver.

[Shelli]

I just joined this group...thanks to Marialyce....I'm only on Ch 26....I'm listening to the audio while I walk outside...but I really appreciate having this set up this way and having others to discuss this long book with! Everything I've read so far has been great and it cleared up a few questions I had...thanks again!

[Marialyce]

So happy to have you here with us, Shelli. I am thinking of getting the audio version to tie in with the book version. I am finding this book pretty wordy and think the audio would help greatly. Thanks for joining us!

[Shelli]

It does help...and the narrator is really good...he actually pauses and coughs every now and then...probably because it's so wordy...but it seems very real the way it is "told" on audio.....I got it from itunes for $5.95...it's 50 hours of listening!

[Shelli]

I do also have the book...in case I feel like looking something up or seeing it in print.

[Rachel]

I ordered the audio book from my library too. It is taking forever to get here! I am sadly lagging behind on this one, I have a ton of studying to do for school this semester.
Tomorrow's Easter, so hopefully I will catch up then since I have to sit in the car for 3 hours! lol

[Marialyce]

I ordered the DVDs from the library. I think that will help me get through this "chunkie" book.

Rachel, don't worry about the time just join in when you can and good luck with school and studying!

[Rachel]

Marialyce wrote: "I ordered the DVDs from the library. I think that will help me get through this "chunkie" book.

Rachel, don't worry about the time just join in when you can and good luck with school and studying!"

Thanks Marialyce! I'll keep plugging along when I can.


Happy Easter to everyone!

[Shelli]

Happy Easter to all...Rachel....I'm only now on Ch 27....this one will take me a long time, so you won't be alone!

[Rachel]

Shelli wrote: "Happy Easter to all...Rachel....I'm only now on Ch 27....this one will take me a long time, so you won't be alone!"

lol You're farther along than I am! And so much for me getting to read for the 3 hours in the car. I ended up driving down the first way, then on the way home my allergies were so bad I slept the whole way! lol So I didn't get much done.

[Shelli]

Too bad about your allergies...

[Rachel]

Thanks. They are really bad this year, and now are getting in the way or my reading! lol I got through 2 more chapters today though. yay! Villefort reminds me of a spoiled little brat. And his father is so different from him, I am suprised Villefort even let him in his house!

[Christa]

I`m a little late to this discussion. I`ve been reading via audiobook so it`s taken me a bit longer. SO far I am loving this book though. Not to much is happening at the beginning but you can tell for the characters that there is so much in store for the reader.
I think Dante is a great character. He`s so likable and honest and hardworking. Such a perfect tragic hero.

[Rachel]

I'm really behind on it too. I think a few of us are.

Dantes is so likable! So innocent... As I keep reading, I see how many liberties the movie took with this book, but one thing they managed to capture was Dantes' natural innocence and naivety. The actor did a great job of that, especially the scene where he was being interviewed by Villefort.