Is this really THAT good?

[John (Taloni)]

Thats fine! Discussion is good. I've seen some odd spammers recently, glad to see this isn't such an instance.

[Maria]

Depende muito do tipo de leitor que é. Nem todas as pessoas apreciam este tipo de escrita, Mas um concelho, deixe-se levar pela história e imagine que está naquela época.

[David]

I think it is. The fact that it was written over a hundred years ago and is still good to this day, shows how incredible the writing, story, characters are.

[Janet]

Melissa wrote: "This is my favorite book. I love the plot complexity, Edmund's long and detailed revenge, each of the traitor's losing what they desire, the Count's struggle with the morality of revenge, and his s..."

[Janet]

I absolutely agree. I love this book!

[Junta]

I just loved the first 300 pages, it was quite unputdownable at some points. I found things a tad too predictable in the second half to maintain the five stars, but thought it was a great book with its characterisation (love the Count and Abbé Faria), lively dialogue, charming prose and in-depth portrayal of French (and Italian) aristocratic life that makes you feel like you're on the scene.

[Lura]

I never found it too predictable. I think the thought and elaboration put into the revenge plot is so meticulous it was never boring.

[Mayor]

No, this is not that good. It is mediocre. Not everything that is popular is great. Example, many Adam Sandler movies.

[Igor]

Say what you will, but leave Britney... I mean Adam alone!
Igor

[Lura]

This comment is to Mayor. I found the book very good and everyone is entitled to their opinion. I don't like Adam Sandler, and didn't like him on SNL. I think the only movie of his I've seen all the way through was Happy Gilmore and I only watched it then because my father is an avid golfer.

[Rune]

Mel wrote: "Anne wrote: "The story has a good premise, but is overly long and complicated. Dumas just didn't know when to stop. Plus, *possible spoiler* the Count and Mercedes don't even get back together! I t..."

Yes, The Count and Mercedes not getting back together is a really important part of why this book is so important and why it stands the test of time. That was a very real way to approach their tragedy, and the greater tragedy of lost love. Despite his articulate revenge, we were reminded that, it was too late for them, well too late. Had they gotten back together, that would have made his revenge less effective. The three villains had destroyed his and Mercedes life together, their dreams, but not their love. They still loved each other, but it was too late. There was no happy ever after for the count, he was a revenge-lusting vampire. He was a grim reaper. The tragedy of his and Mercedes love surpasses even that of Romeo and Juliet's, that's why this book is so important. The truth is that most people live with a lost love, or a romantic encounter that ended in heartbreak. We don't stay the same, this book is so truthful in that sense. He was a sailor, young, brave, and confident. Chateau D'if destroyed his soul, and finally his treasure-funded edification transformed him from a near-maddened prisoner into the mysterious Count.

[Mel]

Rune wrote: "Chateau D'if destroyed his soul"

Once I heard a comment that said, "Chateau D'if killed Edmund Dantes, but gave birth to the Count." The moment that Dantes entered in to the Chateau--the moment that he revealed the name of the Bonapartist father--his life path turned down an alternate road, and the life he would have led on the first path was lost forever. And that life that he lost is the one that he mourns and seeks revenge for the loss. It is a death that he wants to avenge--it's just his death.

[Lura]

I think more than just revenging "his death" it is a revenge of his passionate dream. A dream he deserved as well as anyone. He was an innocent ravaged by the guilty, but because of his lust for revenge he ultimately laid waste to the rest of his life. Because, I ask you what was left for him, after his lust for revenge had been satiated? Nothing not his father, not Mercedes, and certainly not his dream. Though possessing all of the material wealth anyone could want, he was left with nothing.

[John (Taloni)]

He gave up his material wealth and married Haydee. He left the vengeance behind and had a life as husband and father. The avenging angel gave up his sword once his mission was done. That is much more than "nothing."

[Anakin]

After having watched the movie a few years ago before reading the book, I must say, reading the book now has been truly disappointing. The happy ending we saw in the latest version of the movie with Mercedes and Edmond together, the fact that Albert was Edmond's child and Mercedes only married Fernand because she was pregnant with Edmond's child, most (if not all) of those incredible moments that made up the movie weren't even part of the book. It was still a beautiful movie but deeply saddening that it had little to do with the book. Whilst reading the book, at times I found myself very confused as to whether I was reading the correct book and how the screenplay could be so dramatically different.

I believe the book is rated as a 5/5 due to its literary style and depth which earned it the name of being a classic. Is it the best classic ever written by a majority vote? Probably not. It's still very enticing, though.

Although beautifully written, I almost wish it wasn't written in third person sometimes. I felt so distant from Edmond's character half way through the book; almost as if I was losing the sense of siding with him/ truly sympathising with his means because I could only judge by his actions and had to guess his thoughts at other times.

All in all, I'd say it's highly recommended read.

[Lura]

John (Taloni) wrote: "He gave up his material wealth and married Haydee. He left the vengeance behind and had a life as husband and father. The avenging angel gave up his sword once his mission was done. That is much mo..."
To me you miss the point of the book. I think it is a cautionary tale of what revenge can do to your life. Your imagination is very good indeed, but you see I play that game too. He continued to live with Haydee, and never gave her his name. He dwindled away into a thin little man whose clothes didn't even fit anymore. He put so much into his revenge he just wasted away to nothing.

[Lura]

Anakin wrote: "After having watched the movie a few years ago before reading the book, I must say, reading the book now has been truly disappointing. The happy ending we saw in the latest version of the movie wit..."

Your review was wonderful. I too saw the latest movie version of this tale. I had a feeling the story would be changed to suit what filmmakers think audiences want. Perhaps they are right. But do we really want to think of a man bent on vengeance can walk away cleanly. Is our society so shallow...perhaps it is me that is shallow. I could identify with the Count and his desire for revenge, but even for me I came to a point were I thought "enough is enough". But he didn't listen to me. The characters in books seldom listen to our advice to them.

[Dan]

Marius wrote: "I read this book last year, and though I found it entertaining, I really can't understand how people can rate it 5/5. As far as I could tell, the main characters are very simple and 1 dimensional, ..."
I enjoyed the book immensely, it is a true classic. For example, Dumas painted a vivid picture of the prison in my minds eye.

[Dewinda]

Marius wrote: "I read this book last year, and though I found it entertaining, I really can't understand how people can rate it 5/5. As far as I could tell, the main characters are very simple and 1 dimensional, ..."

i dont think there's many coincidences. well yes, the meeting between Dantes and the priest is pretty much coincidence, but the rest is not, it's Dantes who's intellegently made his way into each lives of every person that he wants to repay, whether in the good way or worse way :)

but i found the plot is really slow, there's this time i can get bored. but, alas, i still love this book.

[Patricia]

The book is definitely worth reading! I've kept a copy of it with me since reading it in 5th grade. Dumas wrote a fantastic character that you get to know intimately. You feel all the depths of emotions - despair, anger, hope, revenge - and you become utterly absorbed as you undergo all the experiences with Dantes. Perhaps I'm just someone who would exact vengeance and can relate to the need?

[Martin]

I'm on my fourth re-read of this right now. And will watch the Chamberlain DVD and the 7-hour Depardieu version this weekend.

Reading this is literary crack to me. Yes, it's THAT good.

[Lura]

I sometimes just feel there are those who are more suited for classic literature. It's not right or wrong, it's a matter of taste. I myself find Alexander Dumas' story of betrayal and revenge nothing short of amazing. Others will disagree, but to have a well rounded education our children need to read this and other works of great literature, or the downfall of our culture will be imminent and complete.

[Jeffery]

I tend to agree with you, Lura. I enjoy reading classical literature as much as love reading more modern fiction. Sometimes, the older books are much better. It IS a matter of taste. I worked with someone who would only read Dashiel Hammett books. That was all he would read. I said there are other books and authors out there, but that was all he would read. To each their own and that was his taste. Hey, at least he is reading older literature.

[Lura]

There are some modern authors, and even genre fiction that I love (my guilty pleasure, I suppose), but I also love the language of the classics from Don Quixote to Jane Austen. What incredible writers! What better way to visit the world while still in the comfort of your own home.

[ttianshii]

Marius wrote: "I read this book last year, and though I found it entertaining, I really can't understand how people can rate it 5/5. As far as I could tell, the main characters are very simple and 1 dimensional, ..."

Yet when Edmond Dantes transitions into the Count have his values changed? Does this book demonstrate that in order to succeed, one must never lose hope, always be patient, and always be ambitious? Yes.

Hold on, this idiot declared all the characters to be one-dimensional. It's almost as if the main character, the perpetrator of vengeful acts, wasn't hiding a second identity throughout most of the novel. Also, it's almost as if Edmond never suffered, and never contrived to reward the people who he loved, instead of only killing off those he hated. The Count is the exact opposite of a one-dimensional revenge-seeking character.

Yea Yea Yea...

It seems to me that you can only understand what is blatantly presented to you. Any attempt of deeper analysis has fallen short due to your intellectual deficiencies. Pathetic... Monte Cristo is 5 stars.

[Claudia]

No, I didn't like it that much. It's full of adventure, but the driving force is revenge even against people who didn't cause the trouble in the first place--their young relatives, for instance

[Gilbert]

I have just finished reading this amazing novel for the fourth time in my life of 70 years. As far as I'm concerned, this tale of revenge is as good as it gets.

[Janith]

Absolutely! It's not for the fans of the Twilight saga. The book is a solid 5/5.

[Gene]

Marius wrote: "I read this book last year, and though I found it entertaining, I really can't understand how people can rate it 5/5. As far as I could tell, the main characters are very simple and 1 dimensional, ..."

I absolutely loved it and maybe my favorite book, simply for the entertainment value. I was younger when I read it so maybe that comes into play but I give it 5 out of 5 for sure.

[IHamazon]

I recently listened to the Count of Monte Cristo audiobook. As a teenager it was one of my favourite books, even though my favourite is the first 40 chapters. Listening to the start of the audiobook, I was whistling once I heard what happened to Captain Leclerc. Edmund, you went where now? To Elba? Then I had to check the history books. What happened in 1815? More whistling. What a situation dear Edmund has found himself in!!! I also really enjoyed the sassy characterization of King Louis the 18th. Since reading the Count I also read War and Peace. I wonder if Tolstoy took a page from Dumas' style book, so to speak. Fictionalized letters and stories about or from
real people like Napoleon or Murat seem like Tolstoy was using a literary device he admired in Dumas' writing. I heard Tolstoy was a fan of Dumas'.

[IHamazon]

I know this comment is later than most other comments, I was curious if anyone knows about any Dumas influences on Tolstoy. Earlier comment meant to say Leclere

[John]

I can't think of a book more deserving of a 5 star review than this one. That might be because the first time I ever read it was several weeks ago, so it's fresh in my mind, whereas other great reads (Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath" and "East of Eden", Hemingway's "For Whom the Bells Toll" etc, also 5 star books, were read 10+ years ago, but IMO "The Count of Monte Cristo" stands among the greatest books I've ever read.

[N.M.]

I adore this book—love the story and the characters. I think Dantès's excellence in manipulation can be attributed more to his single-minded obsession with revenge than to flawlessness. And that, in itself, is a flaw. Besides, I think he learned a lot from the man he met in prison, which would explain some of his skills (which makes them earned, rather than random). That said, not every book (even classics) will be to everyone's tastes and preferences. I really like the rags-to-riches, wronged-to-revenge storyline, though. :)