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ninaryan 's review for:
The Count of Monte Cristo
by Alexandre Dumas
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!