Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Bantam Classics (1984), 544 pages
Description
Nominated as one of America's best-loved novels by PBS's The Great American Read A popular bestseller since its publication in 1844, The Count of Monte Cristo is one of the great page-turning thrillers of all time. Set against the tumultuous years of the post-Napoleonic era, Alexandre Dumas's grand historical romance recounts the swashbuckling adventures of Edmond Dantès, a dashing young sailor falsely accused of treason. The story of his long imprisonment, dramatic escape, and carefully wrought revenge offers up a vision of France that has become immortal. As Robert Louis Stevenson declared, "I do not believe there is another volume extant where you can breathe the same unmingled atmosphere of romance."
User reviews
LibraryThing member Teravius
The Count of Monte Cristo is one of those books you hear an awful lot about, think "yeah, maybe I should read this" and never really work up the motivation. Or perhaps you're forcibly exposed to it through some Honors English teacher. The reason that you're forcibly exposed to it, or that people
Some of the side stories are less interesting than the main plot--this is both necessary to keep us wanting to come back to the main plot, and a sign that Dumas is indeed human--and some of the character relationships become a little confusing as the book snowballs on. I might have appreciated a few family trees, a la George R. R. Martin. that told me the given name, the title, and the family name of any given character. (As is common with nobility, at some point, people stop going by their given names and just take on their titular identities.) And I find Dumas' continuous restatement of his thesis, that you must experience sorrow to experience true happiness, toward the end of the book a little heavy-handed. Perhaps I find it heavy-handed because I disagree with it.
But that's not enough to prevent enjoyment of the book, by any means. This book literally "has it all"--intrigue, action, romance, and the religious commentary that's practically required of the Romantic era. Redemption, vindication, treachery, and of course vengeance. Dumas works wonders with character development, both in terms of perceived character development as plots come to light, and in the characters' real development in response to events in the story. The highest praise I can give, though is this: for its daunting volume, most of it clips by at a surprisingly quick speed. Definitely recommended.
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won't stop talking about it? This book is truly excellent. From the outset, what's not to love about a bunch of French guys getting revenge on each other? The degree of forethought and subtlety in all of the plots, as wrought by both Dumas and his characters, is spectacular.Some of the side stories are less interesting than the main plot--this is both necessary to keep us wanting to come back to the main plot, and a sign that Dumas is indeed human--and some of the character relationships become a little confusing as the book snowballs on. I might have appreciated a few family trees, a la George R. R. Martin. that told me the given name, the title, and the family name of any given character. (As is common with nobility, at some point, people stop going by their given names and just take on their titular identities.) And I find Dumas' continuous restatement of his thesis, that you must experience sorrow to experience true happiness, toward the end of the book a little heavy-handed. Perhaps I find it heavy-handed because I disagree with it.
But that's not enough to prevent enjoyment of the book, by any means. This book literally "has it all"--intrigue, action, romance, and the religious commentary that's practically required of the Romantic era. Redemption, vindication, treachery, and of course vengeance. Dumas works wonders with character development, both in terms of perceived character development as plots come to light, and in the characters' real development in response to events in the story. The highest praise I can give, though is this: for its daunting volume, most of it clips by at a surprisingly quick speed. Definitely recommended.
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LibraryThing member ulfhjorr
What can you say about a book that packs every human emotion in between two covers? Beautifully written, Dumas exploers deep into the human psyche and writes a gripping tale of love and loss, despair and delight, betrayal and revenge. This is, hands down, my favorite novel ever written and the
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benchmark by which I judge all other works of literature. Show Less
LibraryThing member Hamburgerclan
Here's a book that I both want to put on my shelf and throw into the Elbe River. Why? Because I was really enjoying the book until I discovered that the copy I had purchased and was reading was an abridged version of Mr. Dumas' classic tale. I felt cheated, I felt shame at reading a lesser version
Unless, of course, that's the only version you can find. Even though I was a victim of poor packaging, I had to finish reading the book--puny as it was. The Count of Monte Cristo is the tale of Edmond Dantès, a young man facing a bright future. Even though he is barely twenty, the young sailor is looking forward to rapid promotion in his job and a joyous marriage to the love of his life. Unfortunately Edmond has rivals for each and these men conspire to get him out of the way. Through their actions, Edmond is falsely accused of conspiracy and imprisoned. Years pass and life passes Edmond by. Eventually people assume that he is dead. The truth however, is that Edmond eventually escapes imprisonment and finds the means in which to prepare an elaborate revenge. I truly enjoyed the story, though it was a bit disillusioning to discover that Batman, the Shadow and Captain Christopher Pike weren't quite as original as I thought.
--J.
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rather than delving into a (reported) big, fat, honking, 19th Century novel. So if you are at the book store and see the 441 page Bantam Classic version--don't buy it! Hold out for the real deal. Accept no version that you can easily carry with one hand.Unless, of course, that's the only version you can find. Even though I was a victim of poor packaging, I had to finish reading the book--puny as it was. The Count of Monte Cristo is the tale of Edmond Dantès, a young man facing a bright future. Even though he is barely twenty, the young sailor is looking forward to rapid promotion in his job and a joyous marriage to the love of his life. Unfortunately Edmond has rivals for each and these men conspire to get him out of the way. Through their actions, Edmond is falsely accused of conspiracy and imprisoned. Years pass and life passes Edmond by. Eventually people assume that he is dead. The truth however, is that Edmond eventually escapes imprisonment and finds the means in which to prepare an elaborate revenge. I truly enjoyed the story, though it was a bit disillusioning to discover that Batman, the Shadow and Captain Christopher Pike weren't quite as original as I thought.
--J.
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LibraryThing member kaionvin
Where the novel succeeded was transporting me to Dumas's vision of a lush, romantic Europe: full of carnivals and operas, noble scoundrels and dirty nobles, of duels and murder, of revolution and love, hidden treasures and secret identities. The problem is that the story doesn't really go anywhere
Edmond Dantes, the hard-working and ambitious young man we meet at the introduction of the novel transforms himself into the Count of Monte Cristo in order to gain the power to wreak vengeance upon his betrayers. But this Count merely is a petty, obsessed man- he flaunts and wastes his wealth on narrow-minded hate. And thus, for much of the novel, his complicated machinations came off not as masterful but rather arbitrarily convoluted.
It was not until the love story of Valentine and Maximilien is introduced that I somewhat regained an emotional connection to the plot clogs. The real hero for the couple here, though, is the magnificent Monsieur Nortier and not the Count. Despite being unable to do much more than blink his eyes, he still able to mastermind the situation to do the heavy lifting in ensuring Valentine's happiness and freedom.
The Count does eventually seen how much he's gone too far in his obsession with revenge. Rather than exploring his guilt, however, Dumas very quickly exonerates Edmond as righteous with a cheap invocation of religion. As a reader, I felt really cheated of a true resolution for a man as guilty as his tormentors.
Maybe the storytelling 'canon' I was raised on is too different from the one being invoked here; there is values dissonance. Vengeance owns you- your attachment to it seals your fate, ties you up into the same end as your victims/tormentors. Edmond Dantes took it upon himself to be a god, or maybe rather udge, jury, and executioner. To leave the story thus I felt a bitter disappointment, and ultimately the whole exercise seemed like a romp rather than an epic/classic tale of revenge.
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with these elements. Its original publication as a serial really shows- even in my abridged Bantam edition it often drags for long stretches- partially due to a frequent lack of sympathetic protagonist. Edmond Dantes, the hard-working and ambitious young man we meet at the introduction of the novel transforms himself into the Count of Monte Cristo in order to gain the power to wreak vengeance upon his betrayers. But this Count merely is a petty, obsessed man- he flaunts and wastes his wealth on narrow-minded hate. And thus, for much of the novel, his complicated machinations came off not as masterful but rather arbitrarily convoluted.
It was not until the love story of Valentine and Maximilien is introduced that I somewhat regained an emotional connection to the plot clogs. The real hero for the couple here, though, is the magnificent Monsieur Nortier and not the Count. Despite being unable to do much more than blink his eyes, he still able to mastermind the situation to do the heavy lifting in ensuring Valentine's happiness and freedom.
The Count does eventually seen how much he's gone too far in his obsession with revenge. Rather than exploring his guilt, however, Dumas very quickly exonerates Edmond as righteous with a cheap invocation of religion. As a reader, I felt really cheated of a true resolution for a man as guilty as his tormentors.
Maybe the storytelling 'canon' I was raised on is too different from the one being invoked here; there is values dissonance. Vengeance owns you- your attachment to it seals your fate, ties you up into the same end as your victims/tormentors. Edmond Dantes took it upon himself to be a god, or maybe rather udge, jury, and executioner. To leave the story thus I felt a bitter disappointment, and ultimately the whole exercise seemed like a romp rather than an epic/classic tale of revenge.
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LibraryThing member Homechicken
Rarely does a book so grab me that I can hardly put it down—but this one did. I thought I would enjoy it based on the movie, but it was so much better. The plot was great, the good guy won, the bad guys either died or were ruined, and it wrapped up quite nicely.
I didn’t think I’d enjoy
I didn’t think I’d enjoy
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reading a “classic” novel—I usually think they’re quite boring, but this one was great. The only shame is that nobody really writes like this anymore. Show Less
LibraryThing member sierra.tolbert
To be so old, this was actually a really good book. It has a bit of mystery, and romance. I had to read for it school, and i thought "oh great..." but its actually very good.
The beginning was very confusing, all the names and what not. But after like chapter 5 i was pretty good with the names. I
The beginning was very confusing, all the names and what not. But after like chapter 5 i was pretty good with the names. I
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would tell you more, but don't want to spoil this great book!! Show Less
LibraryThing member 6boysandme
Summary: Set in the Napoleanic era, Edmond Dantes is betrayed by an enemy he thought to be his best friend. After a long, miserable imprisonment Edmund is a changed man and now he must decide on vengence or forgiveness and true love. I adore this book and it is one of Kyle's all time favorites.
LibraryThing member amandapanda613
A man, wrongfully imprisoned by his enemies, escapes, and seeks revenge. France
Ages:High school +
Source: Puyallup Public LIbrary
Ages:High school +
Source: Puyallup Public LIbrary
LibraryThing member TerriS
One of my favorite books of all times!!
LibraryThing member John_Warner
Borrowing from a Timbuk 3's song, Edmond Dantès' future is so bright, he needs to wear shades. He has recently been promoted to captain of his own ship and he is about to marry his beloved, Mercedes. However, not everyone shares in his good fortune. Three of Edmond's acquaintances, envious of his
The years spent in prison has changed Dantès from a loving, optimistic man to a bitter and vengeful man. When he escapes from prison and acquires his inheritance, he is transformed into the Count of Monte Cristo. He compares himself to a capricious god bestowing good fortune to those he chooses to and destruction on others; he especially wants revenge for the conspirators who sent him to prison.
Although I enjoyed this thriller and learning about the intricacies Dantès planned for his revenge, I found the 1400+ pages daunting. I have no problem reading lengthy novel if the plot is tight. Dumas' prose seem to meander with no benefit to the plot. Reading that the author was paid by the word, I now know why what I believe to be superfluous words. After a third read, I began reading an abridged copy and enjoyed the book much, much better.
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good fortune, conspire to frame him with a crime of sedition. When arrested, he provides evidence to the prosecutor which frees him of any culpability. However, the evidence alleges a similar charge against the prosecutor's father. Fearing the exposure would jeopardize the his future, he destroys the evidence. Dantès is imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. While in prison, he befriends a priest, a "father figure" whose jailers believe to be mad for claiming to have a vast hidden fortune. Before the priest dies, he bequeaths his fortune, located on Monte Cristo island, to Dantès.The years spent in prison has changed Dantès from a loving, optimistic man to a bitter and vengeful man. When he escapes from prison and acquires his inheritance, he is transformed into the Count of Monte Cristo. He compares himself to a capricious god bestowing good fortune to those he chooses to and destruction on others; he especially wants revenge for the conspirators who sent him to prison.
Although I enjoyed this thriller and learning about the intricacies Dantès planned for his revenge, I found the 1400+ pages daunting. I have no problem reading lengthy novel if the plot is tight. Dumas' prose seem to meander with no benefit to the plot. Reading that the author was paid by the word, I now know why what I believe to be superfluous words. After a third read, I began reading an abridged copy and enjoyed the book much, much better.
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LibraryThing member ladycato
I read and enjoyed The Three Musketeers last month, and I enjoyed The Count of Monte Cristo even more. Dumas created an action-packed tale of betrayal and calculated revenge; this is a classic that well deserves to be read and enjoyed, almost two centuries on. I do wish the women characters had
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been as strong and nuanced as in Musketeers (Haydee never had an opportunity to develop, and she had so much potential) and I had some issues keeping characters straight because the cast was so huge. Still, great fun. I hope I can read more Dumas this year! Show Less
LibraryThing member JHemlock
This is a horrible version of this masterpiece. Abridged versions of classic lit are an abomination. This book is not even a tenth of the actual story.
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1844-08-28
Physical description
544 p.; 4.16 inches
ISBN
0553213504 / 9780553213508