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4.32 AVERAGE
4.32 AVERAGE
I really enjoyed this one, though it was over-written in the way that many serialized Victorian books seem to be. And there were some long digressions that I could have lived without. Sheesh, if I'd been one of the people reading this as it came out, I would have been tearing my hair out - just get back to the people we care about, already!
But I loved it - all of the manipulation, the coincidences, the sentimentality. And as someone else remarked, it's a real testament to the transformative power of education. It was a really good read.
But I loved it - all of the manipulation, the coincidences, the sentimentality. And as someone else remarked, it's a real testament to the transformative power of education. It was a really good read.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Long and good
Revenge is a dish best served unabridged. The Count of Monte Cristo’s 1200 pages flew by in less time than many books a third of that length have taken. Now, I will forever be chasing the dragon of the high that is reading a book like The Count for the first time.
My new Goodreads rating scale is 1 to TCOMC.
It’s the GOAT. Pure literary magic.
I’m praying for memory loss so I can experience it again unspoiled. Until then, I suppose I can only *attendre et espérer*
My new Goodreads rating scale is 1 to TCOMC.
It’s the GOAT. Pure literary magic.
I’m praying for memory loss so I can experience it again unspoiled. Until then, I suppose I can only *attendre et espérer*
I LOVE this book! The Count of Monte Cristo has been added to my all-time favorite books. Along with Anne of Green Gables and Pride + Prejudice.
There is a lot of adventure in this book. Duh. I was very surprised all throughout this book how unlike the hollywood blockbuster it is. I'm actually shocked they titled that movie the same as this book. The plot is completely different, it goes into so much more depth. It has many stories all happening at once and Dumas keeps them together really well. The characters play contrasting roles to the movie characters. And there are many more characters for that matter. The count is a very complicated, determined, emotional and sensitive person. He becomes the perfect hero and villain at the same time.
One stark difference between the book and the movie is his belief in God. In the movie he loses his faith and Mercedes keeps hers. In the book it is vice versa. Monte Cristo never loses faith completely, he has his doubts but in the end he feels that he is avenging for God. He feels providence has led him to carry out his mission of destroying people's lives just like they did his.
I think many people think the entire book is about vengeance and why read it if its depressing and cynical. I beg to differ. I feel like I learned some life lessons while reading it. I also love books written in the 1800's. I have always had a small desire to go back in time to visit this time period. I want to wear the fancy dresses, ride in buggy's (bumpy or not), use proper language, and see what life is like without technology. The writing style is not hard to understand most of the time. And when you don't understand the words or meanings you will in the context.
There is a lot of adventure in this book. Duh. I was very surprised all throughout this book how unlike the hollywood blockbuster it is. I'm actually shocked they titled that movie the same as this book. The plot is completely different, it goes into so much more depth. It has many stories all happening at once and Dumas keeps them together really well. The characters play contrasting roles to the movie characters. And there are many more characters for that matter. The count is a very complicated, determined, emotional and sensitive person. He becomes the perfect hero and villain at the same time.
One stark difference between the book and the movie is his belief in God. In the movie he loses his faith and Mercedes keeps hers. In the book it is vice versa. Monte Cristo never loses faith completely, he has his doubts but in the end he feels that he is avenging for God. He feels providence has led him to carry out his mission of destroying people's lives just like they did his.
I think many people think the entire book is about vengeance and why read it if its depressing and cynical. I beg to differ. I feel like I learned some life lessons while reading it. I also love books written in the 1800's. I have always had a small desire to go back in time to visit this time period. I want to wear the fancy dresses, ride in buggy's (bumpy or not), use proper language, and see what life is like without technology. The writing style is not hard to understand most of the time. And when you don't understand the words or meanings you will in the context.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The depth, complexity of the characters is amazing.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-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
I've wanted to read this for a long time and had no idea how long it was until I got the book. It's always a bit nerve racking to pick up such a long book knowing if it's not very good I’ll force myself to finish it, thankfully this was a great book.
I would say it could be easily enough split into 3 acts, and could have been a trilogy (probably would be published as such today given the costs).I would class everything up until the first appearance of the Count of Monte Cristo as the first book, then the second book would be slightly harder to define but I guess up until the downfall of the first of the enemies, and finally the rest as the third book . Given this division I would rate the first book as 5 stars, more if it were possible. The pacing of this section is superb, every character is layered and brilliant. I was so happy during this first section I genuinely thought I would be finishing this book in just a few days as I struggled to put it down. The second, and largest, section was slower. Whilst still enjoyable I’d probably opt for a 4 star rating for this section, the characters were still vivid, and the way the changing world unfolded was enticing, but it was just a little too slow for me. The final section was satisfying, surprising in places, and a just reward for the time invested. Not as strong as the start, but clearly better than the middle I’d have to go with a 4.5, and hence my overall 4.5 rating.
I would say it could be easily enough split into 3 acts, and could have been a trilogy (probably would be published as such today given the costs).
This was my first Dumas and I’m looking forward to reading more of his famous works.
Wow. What a beast of a book, and a beast of a story to match. This was frustrating, at times, since I'm a pretty impatient person! But I suppose Dumas was just giving us a taste of the type of patience Edmund Dantes must've had to possess...
I loved the way Dumas skillfully wove together his characters' lives, and especially the way he pushed us to see each character with anger and resentment in one instance, but with sympathy at some point later in the book.
Also. So many wonderful quotes, including one of my favorites:
“There is neither happiness nor misery in the world; there is only the comparison of one state with another, nothing more. He who has felt the deepest grief is best able to experience supreme happiness. We must of felt what it is to die, Morrel, that we may appreciate the enjoyments of life."
I "read" this via the Librovox audiobook, which was not so bad a version, generally speaking.
I loved the way Dumas skillfully wove together his characters' lives, and especially the way he pushed us to see each character with anger and resentment in one instance, but with sympathy at some point later in the book.
Also. So many wonderful quotes, including one of my favorites:
“There is neither happiness nor misery in the world; there is only the comparison of one state with another, nothing more. He who has felt the deepest grief is best able to experience supreme happiness. We must of felt what it is to die, Morrel, that we may appreciate the enjoyments of life."
I "read" this via the Librovox audiobook, which was not so bad a version, generally speaking.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes