The Count of Monte Cristo (Modern Library Classics)
by Alexandre Dumas
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Read in January, 2004
recommends it for:
everyone
First, make sure you find a copy that is unabridged. Most editions in English ARE abridged, but usually don't say they are. Not sure if this Penguin edition is, it's not the one i read.
Readers generally think of this as a tale of revenge. For me, it was much deeper. I'm not a religious person at all, but for me this is a book that makes you question the existence of God or a god. Edmond Dantes is without flaw, a truly good person, and his life is ruined because a) others envy him and b) he wa...more
Readers generally think of this as a tale of revenge. For me, it was much deeper. I'm not a religious person at all, but for me this is a book that makes you question the existence of God or a god. Edmond Dantes is without flaw, a truly good person, and his life is ruined because a) others envy him and b) he wa...more
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Read in November, 2007
The Count of Monte Cristo by Dumas is a beautiful book about justice and vengeance, hope and despair, patience and suffering in the Napoleonic Era of France.
The tale opens with a young and hopeful Edmond Dantes returning from a successful sea voyage to see his proud father and marry the girl he adores. His success at sea and the love of this beautiful girl cause two bitter rivals who, in their covetousness, devise a plan to remove and destroy Dantes. He is falsely accused of another man's c...more
The tale opens with a young and hopeful Edmond Dantes returning from a successful sea voyage to see his proud father and marry the girl he adores. His success at sea and the love of this beautiful girl cause two bitter rivals who, in their covetousness, devise a plan to remove and destroy Dantes. He is falsely accused of another man's c...more
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Duma's Timeless Classic.
My All-time favourite and Number 1 in my collection.
I remember reading the first book when I was maybe around 14.That time I already finished reading The Three Musketeers(Another masterpiece by Dumas).And I was so in too this book.I even couldn't find the 3rd book,then I download it and read from my computer in 3 days.The Story is timeless.The writing of the work was completed in 1844. Like many of his novels, it is expanded from the plot outlines suggested by his col...more
My All-time favourite and Number 1 in my collection.
I remember reading the first book when I was maybe around 14.That time I already finished reading The Three Musketeers(Another masterpiece by Dumas).And I was so in too this book.I even couldn't find the 3rd book,then I download it and read from my computer in 3 days.The Story is timeless.The writing of the work was completed in 1844. Like many of his novels, it is expanded from the plot outlines suggested by his col...more
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Read in October, 2002
recommends it for:
Everyone
Simply put, this is my favorite book of all time. This is an amazing story of betrayal, imprisonment, escape, revenge and redemption. While the length of this book (1200+ pages) might scare some, it is so well written, so engaging that once you begin it becomes hard to stop.
If I were lost on a desert island, this would be the one book I would choose to bring with me.
A brief synopsis:
Taking place in France shortly before Napoleon’s return from exile, Edmond Dantes is first mate aboard a...more
If I were lost on a desert island, this would be the one book I would choose to bring with me.
A brief synopsis:
Taking place in France shortly before Napoleon’s return from exile, Edmond Dantes is first mate aboard a...more
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Read in January, 2008
I did it! I made it through 1,365 pages--I seriously had trouble putting this book down but it was so heavy that it hurt my wrists--ha ha! Thanks, Dymphna, for the suggestion. This DRAMATIC book has everything: romance, revenge, intrigue, suffering, triumph, poisoning, suicide, cross dressing, disguises, politics, power, control, greed, subterfuge, ingenuity, blackmail, murder, mystery, resurrection, fortune, betrayal, brilliance, trial, infidelity, a spoiled brat!, swindling, titles, treasure,...more
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Every revenge story since this one starts as Monte Cristo with the serial numbers filed off. The plot skeleton defines the genre because it is so simple: man is betrayed, he disappears for a long time, he returns powerful, prepared, and in disguise to destroy those who betrayed him, and in the end must choose between his revenge and his own humanity.
The beauty of this book is the way, as the revenge unfolds, we can watch the effects on the good, whom Monte Cristo is secretly rewarding, the b...more
The beauty of this book is the way, as the revenge unfolds, we can watch the effects on the good, whom Monte Cristo is secretly rewarding, the b...more
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Read in August, 2007
I can see why this book is a classic. The story is intricate, the writing sophisticated, and the plot masterful. However, the reason that it only gets three stars is because of the main character--Edmond Dantes. I found him to be entirely incongruent. Why was he portrayed as the hero? Why was he the good guy? His revenge was merciless; his cruelty was unlimited. He threw around his money like it was some sort of weapon. He was deceitful, hateful, and greedy. Yet, Dumas portrays him as v...more
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Read in September, 2007
recommends it for:
Comic book lovers
This book has all the earmarks of an instant classic. It perfectly conforms to the digest style first printing. Every chapter is complete enough to be enjoyed on its own without a full understanding of the larger story arch. The characters were well developed and the symbolism was performed perfectly.
This is one of the first books I've read where I find that the true protagonist of the book isn't even properly introduced until the mid point. I wonder if this was deliberate.
there is ...more
This is one of the first books I've read where I find that the true protagonist of the book isn't even properly introduced until the mid point. I wonder if this was deliberate.
there is ...more
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Read in June, 2004
A good read. This poor guy has everything going right for him, but then his "friends" get him thrown in jail about 15 minutes before his wedding to the woman he loved. He stays in jail, unable to communicate with anyone in the outside world for 15 years. When he gets out he finds a treasure one of his jail mates told him about and uses it to exact punishment upon those who ruined him.
You really feel sorry for the guy in the beginning of the book. Near the end you feel th...more
You really feel sorry for the guy in the beginning of the book. Near the end you feel th...more
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My all-time favorite book!
What else can I say? I saw the movie that came out several years ago and fell in love with the story. I wanted more and decided to read the book. After I read the book I was so upset that they changed the story so much for the movie! (although I understand they had to in the interest of time) I went back and read it again about a year later and realized I had picked up an abridged copy. I did miss the parts of the story that were cut, so if you have the tim...more
What else can I say? I saw the movie that came out several years ago and fell in love with the story. I wanted more and decided to read the book. After I read the book I was so upset that they changed the story so much for the movie! (although I understand they had to in the interest of time) I went back and read it again about a year later and realized I had picked up an abridged copy. I did miss the parts of the story that were cut, so if you have the tim...more
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Blind End Road
What? Is this person who has been guiding me for ten years blind? What? Does he think he is too nice? Does he think I have been brainwashed and taken from him? Does he believe someone has come to deceive me? Because I have been deceived, by him. What? Is this voice I hear for real? Is he blind? My dear Lord, I've been guided by a blind man who considers me seventy years old, when I'm thirty-three. My dear Lord, and he thinks he's been misguided. He's had me deterior...more
What? Is this person who has been guiding me for ten years blind? What? Does he think he is too nice? Does he think I have been brainwashed and taken from him? Does he believe someone has come to deceive me? Because I have been deceived, by him. What? Is this voice I hear for real? Is he blind? My dear Lord, I've been guided by a blind man who considers me seventy years old, when I'm thirty-three. My dear Lord, and he thinks he's been misguided. He's had me deterior...more
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Read in January, 2008
Why did no one tell me about this book? I mean seriously, I was about a hundred pages in and I wanted to go find my freshman high school English teacher and inflict terrible, intricate revenge on her for depriving me of a great book. I figured first I could assume a new identity, perhaps insinuating myself into her life. I'd make her trust me and put all her faith in me, and then I would UTTERLY CRUSH HER!!! MWAH-HA-HA-HA!!!!
Seriously, this was an awesome book. I am not a big fan of the Clas...more
Seriously, this was an awesome book. I am not a big fan of the Clas...more
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Read in September, 2001
recommends it for:
Everyone
I read the unabridged version because I'm a book snob and think reading the abridged copy is like reading Cliffs Notes. However, this book was written in a era where authors contributed to daily papers and were paid for each entry. So the story strays a bit in some areas. I'm curious if these parts might be edited from the abridged version and if it is as worthy as the unabridged. I supposed I'll have to read both if I am to compare.
I loved this story immensely and hope everyone gets the oppor...more
I loved this story immensely and hope everyone gets the oppor...more
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Read in January, 2001
I read the complete French version as a kid but was so captivated by it that in American high school read it again in abridged French once and English once. Never was I so fond of revenge and the feeling that it could have given me that I felt so empowered that for years I had lived with the only thought of committing crimes in order to seek revenge on all of humanity. Then I realized that no one owes me anything and the feeling subsided; however, my love for this masterpiece can never be igno...more
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Read in January, 2008
It wasn't the Penguin Classic; it was the Barnes & Noble Classic. And I think my lukewarm response was probably due to the edition--the writing seemed really stilted and awkward and the abridgement probably took out too much of the story so the characters never really got their third dimensions.
That said, you can see where the acclaim comes from. The story is beyond powerful and I spent much of the book wondering how to convert the potential evident even in this edition to the classic ...more
That said, you can see where the acclaim comes from. The story is beyond powerful and I spent much of the book wondering how to convert the potential evident even in this edition to the classic ...more
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recommends it for:
almost everyone who can actually read
cuz i always told myself i would.. let's see what happens this time :)
currently somewhere.. o.0 will read as soon as i find the damned thing..
finally found it, and since I've been stuck on buses or waiting around for long periods of time, I've become immensely engrossed in this. It's fabulous!! why the hell did I not read it earlier!! :D
two of my favorite scenes for far~~ the Carnival scene in Rome, when they're lighting candles and trying to blow everyone elses out and all the can...more
currently somewhere.. o.0 will read as soon as i find the damned thing..
finally found it, and since I've been stuck on buses or waiting around for long periods of time, I've become immensely engrossed in this. It's fabulous!! why the hell did I not read it earlier!! :D
two of my favorite scenes for far~~ the Carnival scene in Rome, when they're lighting candles and trying to blow everyone elses out and all the can...more
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This is one of the best books I have ever read. The story is so complicated and awesome and the characters are so well developed. I had a hard time putting the book down because I wanted ot know what would happen next. I love the ending because it's fair to all of the characters and it's so well-written. I like how the Count realizes that he is not God but he was still able to be God-like in the sense that he controlled his friend's fate and gave him the gift of ultimate happiness. I like how th...more
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Read in May, 2007
I have always wanted to read this book, but the sheer size and it being labeled as a "classic" I have been cautious up until this point. But, from he first page I was immediately hooked, and this lasted throughout the 1100 plus pages.
Edmund Dantes is a sailor who is extremely happy with his simple life in the south of France. However, through a series of mis-unfortunate events, he is declared a traitor and thrown into prison.
Here he is introduced to a fellow prisoner, "the...more
Edmund Dantes is a sailor who is extremely happy with his simple life in the south of France. However, through a series of mis-unfortunate events, he is declared a traitor and thrown into prison.
Here he is introduced to a fellow prisoner, "the...more
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Read in January, 2003
I'm really guessing on the date I last read this book. I know I've read it twice, and the first time was in high school, but I can't really remember the most recent.
Anyway, this was once my favorite book (before I'd read all that many) but I still really love it. It's a compelling and well-written story of greed, betrayal, jealousy, and revenge. Personally, the moral I took away from it is that if you try to take justice into your own hands, you end up miserable. Revenge isn't sweet enough to...more
Anyway, this was once my favorite book (before I'd read all that many) but I still really love it. It's a compelling and well-written story of greed, betrayal, jealousy, and revenge. Personally, the moral I took away from it is that if you try to take justice into your own hands, you end up miserable. Revenge isn't sweet enough to...more
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The story of this book is great. It's a classic and it made a great movie, starring soon-to-be-Jesus. So yes, I'll go ahead, walk off the cliff, and say I liked the movie better. Heresy I know, but hear me out:
Dumas pads his exposition like a sixth grade girl pads her bra, which is to say as much as he can get away with. I mean I like a good, twisty, involved plot as much as the next guy but holy mother-of-REM sleep, just get to the point dude. It may have been a mistake to read the un-abridg...more
Dumas pads his exposition like a sixth grade girl pads her bra, which is to say as much as he can get away with. I mean I like a good, twisty, involved plot as much as the next guy but holy mother-of-REM sleep, just get to the point dude. It may have been a mistake to read the un-abridg...more
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avg rating (all editions): 4.36 (7191 ratings) avg rating (this edition): 4.44 (314 ratings) number of reviews: 827popular bookshelves
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