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4.32 AVERAGE
4.32 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A beast of a book, but a classic for a reason. Happy to finally check this one off.
This book was a wild ride. I had a vague idea of the plot: man gets unjustly imprisoned and seeks revenge after escaping. Well, let me tell you, yes to that, but it's so extra.
I wouldn't say this book is wonderful purely from a writing point of view, but the plot is absolutely engrossing. It's entirely too long and there are so many characters I had a hard time remembering who was who even with a literal flowchart. Because Dantès goes by several different names and some of the other characters also change identities or are not who you originally thought they were, things get very confusing unless you're taking notes, but once the pieces start clicking together, it's very satisfying.
Also not a fan of the Count keeping her and Ali as slaves for absolutely no reason. I think it's actually worse that he tries to free Haydée several times and she doesn't want to be freed because she wants to keep being his slave. Felt like slavery apologism at its finest. Considering the only reason he ever bought her as a slave was because he needed her as a pawn in his revenge plot also gets him negative points. But anyway, we've determined he's not the best person.
Other than that, I enjoyed all the threads in this novel and the arc Dantès goes through, which doesn't redeem him entirely, but renders him devastatingly human.
The last line really got me:
I wouldn't say this book is wonderful purely from a writing point of view, but the plot is absolutely engrossing. It's entirely too long and there are so many characters I had a hard time remembering who was who even with a literal flowchart. Because Dantès goes by several different names and some of the other characters also change identities or are not who you originally thought they were, things get very confusing unless you're taking notes, but once the pieces start clicking together, it's very satisfying.
Spoiler
Dantès and the Count are almost metaphysically separated into two different people when Dantès as the Count embarks on his odyssey vendetta and starts to abandon his principles along the way, concerned only with getting back at his enemies, no matter the cost. And there is a cost, that eventually dawns on him when it's too late to turn back. I don't necessarily have an issue with his character because of the revenge plot, but getting together with Haydée, who he raised as a father from the time she was 11, made me cringe a lot. Especially because it's said, both by him and by her, that he can be her father, brother and spouse, and, hm, I guess this was a common sentiment at the time (Don Ottavio says the same thing to Donna Anna in Mozart's Don Giovanni, based on Zorrilla's [b:Don Juan Tenorio|877693|Don Juan Tenorio|José Zorrilla|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1713829575l/877693._SY75_.jpg|863021], which was written in 1844), but still, ew.Also not a fan of the Count keeping her and Ali as slaves for absolutely no reason. I think it's actually worse that he tries to free Haydée several times and she doesn't want to be freed because she wants to keep being his slave. Felt like slavery apologism at its finest. Considering the only reason he ever bought her as a slave was because he needed her as a pawn in his revenge plot also gets him negative points. But anyway, we've determined he's not the best person.
Other than that, I enjoyed all the threads in this novel and the arc Dantès goes through, which doesn't redeem him entirely, but renders him devastatingly human.
The last line really got me:
“Live, then, and be happy, beloved children of my heart, and never forget that until the day when God shall deign to reveal the future to man, all human wisdom is summed up in these two words,—'Wait and hope.
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
I feel like such an anti-intellectual for hating this book, but it really just wasn't for me. I understand why people like it, I just thought it was incredibly boring.
adventurous
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Dear god it's slow in parts, and several times I nearly gave up. I compromised and started skim reading when hearing about the outfits of Parisian nobility again and again. Sadly at times you really can tell Dumas was paid by the page, not all of it is necessary. That said, the beginning and end (both of which are novella sized in their own rights) have excellent pacing and made some of the slower parts more worthwhile.
Also, having finished the book I immediately wanted to relive the story by watching some of the adaptations. The TV miniseries did a great job with adapting what it could fit in but even with 8 hours it had to make some pretty huge cuts that leave it feeling hollow compared to the full-fat novel. Maybe it did need to be as long as it was after all.
Also, having finished the book I immediately wanted to relive the story by watching some of the adaptations. The TV miniseries did a great job with adapting what it could fit in but even with 8 hours it had to make some pretty huge cuts that leave it feeling hollow compared to the full-fat novel. Maybe it did need to be as long as it was after all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Murder
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-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:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Exquisite. Cannot believe how gripping a book this long can be. I was so stoked telling my husband how everything was coming together, it was nonstop action, I couldn’t put it down! …and I still had over 400 pages left. Dumas is clearly a master at his craft. Honestly, everyone should read this. So fabulous!!!