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4.32 AVERAGE
4.32 AVERAGE
What a journey this book is. Because it’s so long, you become very acquainted with the characters, even if the names are trying at times (not typical English names). The plot is so marvelously executed that I found myself almost unable to put down the book. It’s not exactly a unique story (though it may have been at the time) but it’s done so well. There was only a few chapters that I felt were a slog but they were essential in setting up the second half of the book. This is by far my favorite classic book now (Don Quixote has been supplanted).
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Finally finished this. It's really good and really too long. A great story that I'm so glad I read. I hit the wall sometime in the middle of the book and was struggling with all the various families and who was related to who and who did what and why but it all came together nicely.
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It's a classic, so it's kind of beyond critique, right? I'm not going to say anything about this book that hasn't already been said. So, rather than a traditional review, consider this advice to future readers.
Firstly, I started this book with certain expectations. I assumed the book would closely resemble some amalgamation of the movies bearing this book's title I've watched and liked. Not so! The book is drastically more complex. Our protagonist's vengeful schemes go beyond simple duels and bankruptcies. Rather, Dantes manipulates an insanely intricate web of relationships to turn against itself, forcing lovers, relatives, and friends to unwittingly backstab, poison, and embarrass to the point of social demise. I'd encourage a perusal of the image below to get an idea as to the complexity of Dantes' scheming.
With that in mind, I implore potential readers, take your time with this book. I made the mistake of renting this from my library and being held to a 2-week time frame to make it through this 1200 page book (~50 hour audiobook). I learned, towards the end of my reading, this book was originally published in 18 parts, over the course of ~18 months. It was not meant to be consumed in one sitting. So, if you plan on reading it, please, do yourself a favor and just buy it. Tab it. Highlight it. Don't put yourself on a deadline. I hope you enjoy it even more than I did.
Firstly, I started this book with certain expectations. I assumed the book would closely resemble some amalgamation of the movies bearing this book's title I've watched and liked. Not so! The book is drastically more complex. Our protagonist's vengeful schemes go beyond simple duels and bankruptcies. Rather, Dantes manipulates an insanely intricate web of relationships to turn against itself, forcing lovers, relatives, and friends to unwittingly backstab, poison, and embarrass to the point of social demise. I'd encourage a perusal of the image below to get an idea as to the complexity of Dantes' scheming.
With that in mind, I implore potential readers, take your time with this book. I made the mistake of renting this from my library and being held to a 2-week time frame to make it through this 1200 page book (~50 hour audiobook). I learned, towards the end of my reading, this book was originally published in 18 parts, over the course of ~18 months. It was not meant to be consumed in one sitting. So, if you plan on reading it, please, do yourself a favor and just buy it. Tab it. Highlight it. Don't put yourself on a deadline. I hope you enjoy it even more than I did.
Ended up DNFing it because I paused while doing Hugo reading and it was long enough that I’d be starting over anyhow. Definitely looking forward to reading this later when I restart it though!