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4.32 AVERAGE
4.32 AVERAGE
What a banger.
Primo melodrama, primo convoluted and absurdly interconnected plot, primo all loose ends tied up. This book deserves a conspiracy board.
Points off forthe Count ending up with Haydée in the end, that was pretty weird.
Primo melodrama, primo convoluted and absurdly interconnected plot, primo all loose ends tied up. This book deserves a conspiracy board.
Points off for
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'll say that this is one of my favorite books, not only the plot is amazing and original, but the main character is very lovable, the topics included are deep and the writing is beautiful without loosing the good rhythm, this is a true masterpiece. The only thing that is not fully satisfactory is the end, but it is still possible to live with it.
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Absolutely Fantastic, insanely fast paced, nothing to be bored about
Such a well written book. From the first chapter, I was very impressed by Dumas' engaging and sharp writing and storytelling skills. If Dumas can keep me hooked for 1,200 pages, I will no longer be making excuses for boring books. If you love a plot-driven novel, this is the ultimate book for you!
I'm giving this book 4/5 stars because I wish the Count had been slightly less evil. I understand that this is a story about vengeance, but to be invested in a character throughout a book of this length, I think it's important to at least understand the protagonist's actions and their motivations. Of course a few of his murders were (in my opinion) justified, but the man had several slaves and intentionally brought the people he "loved" to the brink of death/suicide before saving them. The Count is not a good person — let's be clear. I understand that Dumas has created the character of the Count to explore the nuances of good and evil. I love a morally ambiguous protagonist but the Count is not morally ambiguous, he's just a bad person. Without the slaves (!!!) and his questionable behavior towards those he supposedly loves, I would've been far more engaged with his character.
The ending also felt very clean, with the Count feeling redeemed and seemingly moving on with his life. He also ends up with his slave Haydée (who he referred to as a daughter figure throughout the book), while Mercédes is left to grow old alone. I feel as though the book should've had a darker or more ambiguous ending for the Count given how the whole book is about the dimensions and repercussions of vengeance and seeing yourself as the bearer of justice.
I guess the point of the Count not ending up with Mercédes is to show that his love for her had morphed into the resentment and hatred that we see once the Count is freed, but if he didn't end up with her, I would've preferred he ended up alone!
I'm giving this book 4/5 stars because I wish the Count had been slightly less evil. I understand that this is a story about vengeance, but to be invested in a character throughout a book of this length, I think it's important to at least understand the protagonist's actions and their motivations. Of course a few of his murders were (in my opinion) justified, but the man had several slaves and intentionally brought the people he "loved" to the brink of death/suicide before saving them. The Count is not a good person — let's be clear. I understand that Dumas has created the character of the Count to explore the nuances of good and evil. I love a morally ambiguous protagonist but the Count is not morally ambiguous, he's just a bad person. Without the slaves (!!!) and his questionable behavior towards those he supposedly loves, I would've been far more engaged with his character.
The ending also felt very clean, with the Count feeling redeemed and seemingly moving on with his life. He also ends up with his slave Haydée (who he referred to as a daughter figure throughout the book), while Mercédes is left to grow old alone. I feel as though the book should've had a darker or more ambiguous ending for the Count given how the whole book is about the dimensions and repercussions of vengeance and seeing yourself as the bearer of justice.
I guess the point of the Count not ending up with Mercédes is to show that his love for her had morphed into the resentment and hatred that we see once the Count is freed, but if he didn't end up with her, I would've preferred he ended up alone!
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Great story and great characters, although it has some lulls to it.
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
WOW I'm finished please clap!!!!
Wasn't sure what I was getting into when my friend asked me to read this book with her but it was a whirlwind and I actually LOVED IT! This is the ultimate tale of revenge and getting back at your haters and holding a grudge to the ends of the earth. I was a bit put off by the old timey language at first but for the most part really didn't have issues. It was surprisingly easy to read, most chapters weren't too long and were very exciting so the story moved pretty quickly. At a few points I read a chapter summary online to make sure I didn't miss anything important, but for the most part it was smooth sailing. It was also surprisingly funny and very clever!
A few favorite parts/notes (spoilers obviously):
- when everyone got the sleepy hahas at Mercédès and Edmond's wedding party
- meeting Abbé Faria, both the actual part where they met through a hole in the wall and also him teaching Edmond all his life lessons...the Abbé basically said nooo dont kill yourself ur so sexy aha
- his ESCAPE!!! this ruled!!! it was so gripping I was on the edge of my seat genuinely
- the sailors just sort of deciding to adopt him into their clan despite him being old and super sus
- Edmond searching for the treasure on Monte Cristo after his escape and faking an injury to get everyone to leave him alone lmfaoooo
- SAVING MORREL FROM BANKRUPTCY AND SUICIDE omg I loved this part so much! when he rebuilt his ship 🥲🥲🥲
- just everything about the way he slowly made his way back into his enemies' lives to completely destroy everything they loved.... I'm sorry but that is next level dedication to destroying your haters
- adding to that, the sheer number of disguises and personalities he took on the whole time is just so hilarious. Love to picture him rummaging through his costume closet every time he had to transform into Abbé Busoni quickly
- Valentine and Max's love was soooo sweet 🥹 why do all the Morrels want to kill themselves so bad tho lol
- when Caderousse died and he just goes "ONE" oh my god I started screaming. that's why they called him the COUNT of Monte Cristo!!!!! HE COUNTS!!!
- when my man was enjoying the opera and Albert just showed up to challenge him to a duel ALSO when Mercédès begged him to let her son live and he was ready to just die.... for real my guy
- when he dressed up in his sailor outfit to show Fernand who he was oh my GOD
- watching Danglars get destroyeedddddd idiot I love to see bad things happen to bad people! Villefort getting his as well! you guys suck so bad! just the creative ways that he destroyed their lives was soooo satisfying and fun to read
- the ending was very sweet and I loved his final reveal to Max about his identity! Every identity reveal was iconic actually!
Overall I really had a good time with this and I'm so glad I read it. Yes it was long, but the payoff was so worth it. And there's something about finishing a 1200 page book that really makes you feel unstoppable! Made me want to visit Château d'If and I can't wait to watch a few movies of this!
Wasn't sure what I was getting into when my friend asked me to read this book with her but it was a whirlwind and I actually LOVED IT! This is the ultimate tale of revenge and getting back at your haters and holding a grudge to the ends of the earth. I was a bit put off by the old timey language at first but for the most part really didn't have issues. It was surprisingly easy to read, most chapters weren't too long and were very exciting so the story moved pretty quickly. At a few points I read a chapter summary online to make sure I didn't miss anything important, but for the most part it was smooth sailing. It was also surprisingly funny and very clever!
A few favorite parts/notes (spoilers obviously):
- meeting Abbé Faria, both the actual part where they met through a hole in the wall and also him teaching Edmond all his life lessons...the Abbé basically said nooo dont kill yourself ur so sexy aha
- his ESCAPE!!! this ruled!!! it was so gripping I was on the edge of my seat genuinely
- the sailors just sort of deciding to adopt him into their clan despite him being old and super sus
- Edmond searching for the treasure on Monte Cristo after his escape and faking an injury to get everyone to leave him alone lmfaoooo
- SAVING MORREL FROM BANKRUPTCY AND SUICIDE omg I loved this part so much! when he rebuilt his ship 🥲🥲🥲
- just everything about the way he slowly made his way back into his enemies' lives to completely destroy everything they loved.... I'm sorry but that is next level dedication to destroying your haters
- adding to that, the sheer number of disguises and personalities he took on the whole time is just so hilarious. Love to picture him rummaging through his costume closet every time he had to transform into Abbé Busoni quickly
- Valentine and Max's love was soooo sweet 🥹 why do all the Morrels want to kill themselves so bad tho lol
- when Caderousse died and he just goes "ONE" oh my god I started screaming. that's why they called him the COUNT of Monte Cristo!!!!! HE COUNTS!!!
- when my man was enjoying the opera and Albert just showed up to challenge him to a duel ALSO when Mercédès begged him to let her son live and he was ready to just die.... for real my guy
- when he dressed up in his sailor outfit to show Fernand who he was oh my GOD
- watching Danglars get destroyeedddddd idiot I love to see bad things happen to bad people! Villefort getting his as well! you guys suck so bad! just the creative ways that he destroyed their lives was soooo satisfying and fun to read
- the ending was very sweet and I loved his final reveal to Max about his identity! Every identity reveal was iconic actually!
Overall I really had a good time with this and I'm so glad I read it. Yes it was long, but the payoff was so worth it. And there's something about finishing a 1200 page book that really makes you feel unstoppable! Made me want to visit Château d'If and I can't wait to watch a few movies of this!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Child death, Slavery, Suicide
Minor: Infidelity, Racism
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
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:
Yes
I didn’t personally love the ending, but I’ll give it credit for being unique.