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4.32 AVERAGE
4.32 AVERAGE
It was very engaging. My first French book in translation, and I had to look up a bunch of stuff to understand what was happening politically at the times referred to. I've seen several adaptations of this novel over the years, so it was rewarding to read the original. This audiobook was done quite well. I wondered at times about some moments of translation though. The end was a little blah. Kind of terrible for the characters really. One cool thing was the discussion of the queer ladies (Danglars's daughter and her "friend"). Was pleasantly surprised to see them talked about so openly. A far cry from most British lit I think.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“All of human wisdom is contained in these two words: ‘wait’ and ‘hope’!”
- Edmond Dantes
When does revenge supersede what is justified? When does grief become too much to bear? What is joy without sadness? The Count of Monte Cristo masterfully connects some of the most pressing questions of life to a grand mystery, romance, and thriller all at once. Despite it being 200 years old this novel still shines as an example of dedicated, thoughtful writing. The only potential grievances I could have on The Count of Monte Cristo are its portrayal of god and its moderate sexism and racism. However, considering the time period in which the novel was written such micro aggressions come with the package. Still, the novel is progressive in its own way as it questions the importance of wealth when one does not have love, and chastises those who seek wealth with an utter disregard to their compatriots and guardians. The Count of Monte Cristo is both easy enough to be comprehended by the masses and deep enough to provide a philosophical exercise for the masses and as such is one of the pinnacles of literary excellence (in my opinion of course).
- Edmond Dantes
When does revenge supersede what is justified? When does grief become too much to bear? What is joy without sadness? The Count of Monte Cristo masterfully connects some of the most pressing questions of life to a grand mystery, romance, and thriller all at once. Despite it being 200 years old this novel still shines as an example of dedicated, thoughtful writing. The only potential grievances I could have on The Count of Monte Cristo are its portrayal of god and its moderate sexism and racism. However, considering the time period in which the novel was written such micro aggressions come with the package. Still, the novel is progressive in its own way as it questions the importance of wealth when one does not have love, and chastises those who seek wealth with an utter disregard to their compatriots and guardians. The Count of Monte Cristo is both easy enough to be comprehended by the masses and deep enough to provide a philosophical exercise for the masses and as such is one of the pinnacles of literary excellence (in my opinion of course).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Slavery, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Classism
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, Suicide, Stalking, Murder
Minor: Trafficking
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The story starts strong to set up an exciting story of revenge, as the protagonist, Dante’s, sets out to pay back the men who got him falsely imprisoned. The book falls into an extremely slow lull in the middle, filled with tons of plot point that feel like they don’t progress towards the revenge plot at all. Finally the actual revenge and conclusion of the book fell short somewhat, as it felt like not everyone got the what they deserved.
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
As a classic, or more accurately, as a 1200-page classic, I found this book surprisingly very readable. It's described as an adventure epic, and while there are elements of this (prison escapes, bandits, vengeful princesses to name a few), it's the pacing that makes it thrilling. From the beginning you are thrust into Edmond on the precipice of realising his most sacred dreams; you witness the enroaching machinations of those agents against his happiness; you follow the genesis of The Count of Monte Cristo, and the setup of his chessboard that will bring the downfall of the men who wronged him.
The Count, in his pursuit of vengeance, becomes an 'agent of Providence', rewarding and punishing those he deems fit. Dumas is excessive in his characterisation: The Count is handsome, rich, a skilled fighter, speaks several languages and has connections from the loftiest banking firms to the lowest crooks. He appears inhumane and impenetrable, removed from his mortal restrictions. Conversely, the men he has sworn vengeance against are portrayed as perpetual evildoers, reinforcing his belief that he is doing God's work by punishing them. It is slow, but satisfying, to watch the Count's plan come to fruition: at first every stranger he interacts with and every event that he orchestrates are seem singular, but are in fact a web of connections that made me gasp in realisation, sometimes even laugh (what can I say, I was swept in the pursuit and was also wishing for their downfall).
The third act(? or the act where his revenge actually begins to take shape) occurs mainly in the cities of Rome and Paris. I might've preferred for all of it to take place in Rome: the twists and turns of the city, its dark underbelly of bandits there seemed like the perfect place, instead of the dazzling sunlit streets of Paris. But Dumas' choice is much better. It's here, in the heart of Parisian society, that the Count ingratiates himself with these men, almost like a snake in their polished and perfect garden. The cast of characters, particularly those in the Parisian set, are incredibly well-written, with their own interests, desires and vices. Their poignant humanity only emphasises how removed the Count is from it all, making him an indomitable character.
This book is a phenomenon of sheer and staggering might, and I'd definitely recommend it. I was not bored for any of the hundreds (and hundreds...and hundreds!) of pages I read.
The Count, in his pursuit of vengeance, becomes an 'agent of Providence', rewarding and punishing those he deems fit. Dumas is excessive in his characterisation: The Count is handsome, rich, a skilled fighter, speaks several languages and has connections from the loftiest banking firms to the lowest crooks. He appears inhumane and impenetrable, removed from his mortal restrictions. Conversely, the men he has sworn vengeance against are portrayed as perpetual evildoers, reinforcing his belief that he is doing God's work by punishing them. It is slow, but satisfying, to watch the Count's plan come to fruition: at first every stranger he interacts with and every event that he orchestrates are seem singular, but are in fact a web of connections that made me gasp in realisation, sometimes even laugh (what can I say, I was swept in the pursuit and was also wishing for their downfall).
The third act(? or the act where his revenge actually begins to take shape) occurs mainly in the cities of Rome and Paris. I might've preferred for all of it to take place in Rome: the twists and turns of the city, its dark underbelly of bandits there seemed like the perfect place, instead of the dazzling sunlit streets of Paris. But Dumas' choice is much better. It's here, in the heart of Parisian society, that the Count ingratiates himself with these men, almost like a snake in their polished and perfect garden. The cast of characters, particularly those in the Parisian set, are incredibly well-written, with their own interests, desires and vices. Their poignant humanity only emphasises how removed the Count is from it all, making him an indomitable character.
This book is a phenomenon of sheer and staggering might, and I'd definitely recommend it. I was not bored for any of the hundreds (and hundreds...and hundreds!) of pages I read.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes