Classic Novel: "The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexander Dumas

David Potts FREEDOM: I enjoyed this book thoroughly. I have the DVD of the movie which is also excellent and have watched it more than 2 dozen times always savoring the story and characters, but I found the full story from the novel infinitely deeper than could be accomplished in a movie.
There are divergent aspects of the movie which I find pleasant and favorable especially to a mind and pallet developed 150-200 years after the time of the story.
The unabridged cast of characters provided by Mr Dumas broadened the multiple and interwoven plots of Edmond's revenge illuminating his near omniscience relating to those players.
And finally, I am grateful to perceive that not only was Mr Dumas a marvelous story-teller, but also a gifted intellect of his time.

United States on Sep 12, 2023

Anon: Heart wrenching and gripping, beautifully written. A story of betrayal and intelligent and justifiably brutal vengeance meted out by the injured. Brilliant read

United Kingdom on Jul 28, 2023

Amazon Customer: This is a substantial read. No five minute wonder here. The story was amazing. No wonder it’s a classic. Great value for money and arrived quickly.

United Kingdom on Jun 26, 2023

The Paragon: “He who has felt the deepest grief is best able to experience supreme happiness.”
Chapter 117, The Fifth of October, The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

As you may remember, I made a decision a little while ago to fill in the gaps in my knowledge of classical literature by actually reading some. I know. Such a rebel. This was, as ever, in the hopes that I would recognise obscure quotes and oblique references in the course of the sorts of run-of-the-mill, intellectual conversations I plan to have as I approach my middle years. I am not entirely without understanding. Thanks to a childhood in the nineteen-eighties, I am an aficionado of film, television and pop culture. All of which have, in their way, exposed my brain to all manner of literary giants with sneaky jokes and asides. So as much as I might recognise a quote and even know where it’s from, that doesn’t necessarily mean I’ve read the book. Hence this quest.

All of this is really just to introduce myself. Apologies for that.

I remembered a film I’d watched years ago and felt certain it was based on something literarily magnificent but I couldn’t remember the title, the author...

United Kingdom on Jan 15, 2022

John: I first read The Count of Monte Cristo in abridged form and am glad to have finally read the full version. The backdrop is the chaotic politics of France from 1815-1838, and we are taken on a journey through France (largely Paris & Marseilles), Italy (Rome) and the islands of the Mediterranean.
Edmond Dantes is young, idealistic, honest and has the world at his feet. A sailor, he returns from a trip having taken over from the captain who died en route. Set to inherit the captaincy, an impressive feat for one so young, Dantes has agreed to deliver a letter, granting his old captains dying wish. However, unaware of the incendiary nature of the letter, he unwittingly opens the door for his enemies to strike.
Dantes finds himself unjustly imprisoned, the proverbial key thrown away, and in the depths of despair he meets another prisoner who transforms his life. When Dantes eventually finds his way out of prison, we meet him in several guises, including as the titular Count, a hugely wealthy, altruistic and mysterious foreigner who makes an impression on all of those he meets. As time passes, we see Monte Cristo/Dantes plans take shape, but there are unexpected consequences...

United Kingdom on Mar 25, 2019

Chris R.: DISCLAIMER: I am an American, college-educated male in my mid-20's. I understand that my life experiences are different from others', and my reviews and opinions reflect the upbringing I've had. The point of each of my reviews is not so much to provide a synopsis of the story or an in-depth literary look at the work itself, but to convey my overall impression of the book, as well as the feelings/attitudes I experienced while reading and the thoughts the book provoked. There are NO SPOILERS in any of my reviews, so read on without fear!

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This was actually my second read of the Count of Monte Cristo (the first one being at the age of 12 after having seen the movie and enthusiastically embracing the challenge of reading a monstrous classic such as this one), and I have to say that I was certainly able to appreciate it on a different level. Having a better command of the English language obviously helped, but it was more related to the fact that I was able to connect more directly with some of the themes of the book. Most 12 year olds have not experienced romantic love, betrayal, or revenge in any meaningful way (although to...

United States on Jun 23, 2016

J. Chippindale: This is one of the great stories by Alexandre Dumas, written I believe between 1844/5. Much of the fiction written around this time is considered dated but this particular story has stood the test of time and is as fresh as the day it was written. It is a story that I have returned to many times over the years, often prompted by the release of a film or TV series, none of which come close to the drama and energy of the book. Anyone reading it for the first time cannot fail to be impressed by the storyline and the writing style of Dumas. Many of the "classics" are somewhat dry and stilted to the modern taste but this tale is anything but dry. It is vibrant and exciting from the first page to the last. It is an epic story by any standards, one thousand pages plus but holds the reader throughout, never boring or superflous in any way.

Why did I feel the need to buy another copy, having already said that I have read and reread the story in the past. Well the saying "Never judge a book by its cover" has just flown out of the window. Yes, I was seduced by the appearance and description of the book. The book is very tactile with its blue bonded leather binding, covered in graphics...

United Kingdom on Apr 14, 2014

Bill G: I am reviewing the Pocket Books Enriched Classics version of the novel The Count of Monte Cristo. At about chapter 30, I was hooked on the story and reading reviews and doing research on it. At that point I discovered the Pocket Books version is an ABRIDGED version with about 70 chapters. The real version has around 117 chapters. This frustrated me immensely because nowhere on the Pocket Books version does it say it is abridged. That is my biggest complaint.

I then found a complete version of the book and read it. If I was going to read the book, I wanted to read the whole thing. However, if you want a more tightly written book, I guess I could recommend the abridged version. It won't take near as long to read and will probably tell the same story. Just a quick comment about the 2002 movie starring Jim Cavizel and Guy Pierce. The 1st half of the move covers Dantes' imprisonment and escape, while in the book, it is maybe 25% of the story. While the movie is good, it in no way does justice to Dantes' life as the Count of Monte Cristo. I don't see how it would be possible to make a movie that follows the book closely, the book is just too long.

Dantes is madly in love...

United States on Jun 07, 2006