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carlstark's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
As a first-time reader of "The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexandre Dumas, I found myself immersed in an epic tale of betrayal, revenge, and redemption. The story follows Edmond Dantès, a young sailor wrongfully imprisoned, who transforms into the enigmatic Count of Monte Cristo to seek vengeance on those who wronged him. The book's intricate plot and rich character development kept me engaged from start to finish.
**Positives:**
1. **Engaging Plot:** The story is masterfully crafted, with numerous twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. Dumas weaves a complex narrative that explores themes of justice, mercy, and the human spirit.
2. **Memorable Characters:** From the honorable Edmond Dantès to the treacherous Danglars and the enigmatic Abbé Faria, each character is vividly portrayed and leaves a lasting impression. Their motivations and transformations are compelling and thought-provoking.
3. **Thought-Provoking Quotes:** The novel is filled with insightful passages that offer deep reflections on life and human nature. Two quotes that stood out to me were:
- "All human wisdom is contained in these two words—'Wait and hope.'"
- "How did I escape? With difficulty. How did I plan this moment? With pleasure."
**Negatives:**
1. **Length of the Book:** At over 1,000 pages, the novel can feel daunting. There are moments where the pacing slows down, and some sections might feel overly detailed, making it a bit of a challenge to maintain momentum.
2. **Focus on Money:** At times, the narrative seems overly fixated on the financial aspects of Dantès' revenge. The meticulous details of wealth accumulation and transactions can be overwhelming and detract from the emotional core of the story.
**Conclusion:**
Despite its length and occasional overemphasis on financial matters, "The Count of Monte Cristo" is a timeless classic that offers a profound exploration of justice, retribution, and the resilience of the human spirit. Its captivating storyline and memorable characters make it a rewarding read. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good adventure with moral depth.
**Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars**
**Positives:**
1. **Engaging Plot:** The story is masterfully crafted, with numerous twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. Dumas weaves a complex narrative that explores themes of justice, mercy, and the human spirit.
2. **Memorable Characters:** From the honorable Edmond Dantès to the treacherous Danglars and the enigmatic Abbé Faria, each character is vividly portrayed and leaves a lasting impression. Their motivations and transformations are compelling and thought-provoking.
3. **Thought-Provoking Quotes:** The novel is filled with insightful passages that offer deep reflections on life and human nature. Two quotes that stood out to me were:
- "All human wisdom is contained in these two words—'Wait and hope.'"
- "How did I escape? With difficulty. How did I plan this moment? With pleasure."
**Negatives:**
1. **Length of the Book:** At over 1,000 pages, the novel can feel daunting. There are moments where the pacing slows down, and some sections might feel overly detailed, making it a bit of a challenge to maintain momentum.
2. **Focus on Money:** At times, the narrative seems overly fixated on the financial aspects of Dantès' revenge. The meticulous details of wealth accumulation and transactions can be overwhelming and detract from the emotional core of the story.
**Conclusion:**
Despite its length and occasional overemphasis on financial matters, "The Count of Monte Cristo" is a timeless classic that offers a profound exploration of justice, retribution, and the resilience of the human spirit. Its captivating storyline and memorable characters make it a rewarding read. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good adventure with moral depth.
**Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars**
sandydollreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ofbooksandtrees's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Read May 2024
It took me almost a month, but I did it. The biggest book I’ve ever read and it was so worth it!
I’ll admit, there were a few times where I wasn’t entirely sure what was happening, or where I didn’t remember who a character was, but mostly it was surprisingly easy to read (for someone who isn’t used to reading classics).
Also, I’m really happy I went with the ebook. Being able to change the font & font size to something I find comfortable to read, just makes it less intimidating and much easier on my hands & wrists.
It took me almost a month, but I did it. The biggest book I’ve ever read and it was so worth it!
I’ll admit, there were a few times where I wasn’t entirely sure what was happening, or where I didn’t remember who a character was, but mostly it was surprisingly easy to read (for someone who isn’t used to reading classics).
Also, I’m really happy I went with the ebook. Being able to change the font & font size to something I find comfortable to read, just makes it less intimidating and much easier on my hands & wrists.
owl_eerie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
informative
tense
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
4.0
I'm going to simply pretend I did not perceive the last like 10 min/10 pages because hork please don't romance your daughter, Ed, come o n but otherwise WHAT a ride. I loved how seamlessly all of the chess pieces intertwined. Was a little slow between prison and Paris; once you get to Paris tho, goddamn.
robinreads_'s review against another edition
Was having a good time, there were just too many words
healingnote's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
macieh's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kofireads29's review against another edition
5.0
Great Book. Edmond Dantes is one of the greatest protagonists I have ever read, unique character
4.5/5
4.5/5
uvw's review against another edition
5.0
"There are two ways of seeing: with the body and with the soul. The body's sight can sometimes forget, but the soul remembers forever."
uvw's review against another edition
5.0
"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 have felt what it is to die, Morrel, that we may appreciate the enjoyments of life."