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4.32 AVERAGE
4.32 AVERAGE
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Really, in your life you don't actually need another book, there's enough here to keep you busy until death do you part.
adventurous
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Really engaging until about 690 pages in, skipped to last 200 but was well worth finishing
This book is the epitome of a slow burn. For a while there I thought I would never get through it. I don't even want to look at the number of months it took. I switched back and forth between reading and listening to an audiobook narrated by Bill Homewood (which was superb by the way), and after listening for hours I'd be shocked to find I'd progressed a mere percent! Dumas has a way of starting chapters with events that feel like drawn out tangents, but a chapter later, or sometimes a few chapters later, or sometimes half the book later, you realize they were all a part of the set up for some key moment. That can make for tough going. I was sure that by the time I got to the end, I would feel that this tome was in no way worth the effort. I was sure I was going to end up giving it a three or two star rating. I was wrong. By the last third (or maybe quarter) everything began to come together and I was waiting with baited breath to know how a particular character storyline was going to end. And then things heated up to the point that I just had to know how every storyline would end. And in the end, I have to say I really liked the book. Actually, I could almost say I love it, but I spent too long feeling like it was work to go quite that far. This book is 3/4 set up and 1/4 payoff. Slow, slow burn. For me at least, the payoff was worth it.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-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
Can't really add to what has been written about this classic. A few personal notes from my reading:
-Eugenie Danglars = modern lesbian hero! She doesn't want money or care at all about how she is viewed in society. All she wants to do is to run off with her lover and create art. Can't say anyone else in the book - besides Haydee maybe - has more noble aspiritions. Also, I can't really think of many other figures in fiction before this book (besides maybe ancient Greek literature) that portrays a lesbian in such a noble light.
-The count's revenge would have been more satisfying to me if he didn't end up regretting various aspects of it (e.g. Mercedez poverty, Eduoard's death etc) even if this regret was more realistic.
-More Faria please
-I thought that Benedetto was one of the more compelling characters because he was honest and unapologetic about his nature. Court scene where he reveals his lineage was great and I also enjoyed his attempt to escape. He reminded me of Harry Flashman (from George MacDonald Frasier's series of books).
Overall I loved this book and wish I had read it earlier.
-Eugenie Danglars = modern lesbian hero! She doesn't want money or care at all about how she is viewed in society. All she wants to do is to run off with her lover and create art. Can't say anyone else in the book - besides Haydee maybe - has more noble aspiritions. Also, I can't really think of many other figures in fiction before this book (besides maybe ancient Greek literature) that portrays a lesbian in such a noble light.
-The count's revenge would have been more satisfying to me if he didn't end up regretting various aspects of it (e.g. Mercedez poverty, Eduoard's death etc) even if this regret was more realistic.
-More Faria please
-I thought that Benedetto was one of the more compelling characters because he was honest and unapologetic about his nature. Court scene where he reveals his lineage was great and I also enjoyed his attempt to escape. He reminded me of Harry Flashman (from George MacDonald Frasier's series of books).
Overall I loved this book and wish I had read it earlier.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Oh, wow! I don't even know how to just close this book now - it's been with me for such a long time and it feels kind of weird to let it go.
Edmond Dantès, a young sailor at the height of his fortune, falls victim to an intrigue based on sheer envy that takes everything from him - his wife, his father, his happiness. After years in captivity, he manages to escape and, armed with an enormous treasure, he returns as the mysterious Count of Monte Cristo to take revenge on those who betrayed him.But while his plan works, he realises that retribution does not make him happy - in the end, despite his revenge, he is left with a lot of regret.
What impressed me the most was the language. I did read a translation and I can't even put into words how much I regret not being able to read the book in the original, but even the translation was incredibly beautiful. I love it when books can capture thoughts and feelings so humanly, and I tagged SO much.
The story itself fascinated me, even if it dragged on a bit in places. But when I like a story, I'm forgiving. What I found more difficult was the fact that the Count is recognised by NOBODY. And I don't mean that people don't realise he's Edmond, but that they don't even connect his alter egos (Abbé Busoni, Lord Wilmore etc ). Sure, he changes clothes, language, gestures - but it's still the same person. I think it works better if you read it symbolically: People are so preoccupied with themselves that they don't really pay attention to others.
An impressive book that will stay with me for a long time!
Edmond Dantès, a young sailor at the height of his fortune, falls victim to an intrigue based on sheer envy that takes everything from him - his wife, his father, his happiness. After years in captivity, he manages to escape and, armed with an enormous treasure, he returns as the mysterious Count of Monte Cristo to take revenge on those who betrayed him.
What impressed me the most was the language. I did read a translation and I can't even put into words how much I regret not being able to read the book in the original, but even the translation was incredibly beautiful. I love it when books can capture thoughts and feelings so humanly, and I tagged SO much.
The story itself fascinated me, even if it dragged on a bit in places. But when I like a story, I'm forgiving. What I found more difficult was the fact that the Count is recognised by NOBODY. And I don't mean that people don't realise he's Edmond, but that they don't even connect his alter egos (
An impressive book that will stay with me for a long time!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes