The Count of Monte Cristo (Penguin Classics) by Alexandre Dumas père
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Book Reviews of The Count of Monte Cristo (Penguin Classics)
Book Review: Greatest plot. Just enticing.
Summary: 5 Stars
The words "bestest" and "awesomest" should be added to the next edition of Webster's since nothing else can describe Dumas's "The Count of Monte Cristo." When it comes to plot suspense and valuable moral lessons, Dumas has it all. Imbuing it with a rich and captive plot, Dumas enriches his masterpiece with themes of love, hate, vengeance, and forgiveness--all part of our quotidian lives.
Although the original version stretches over 1200 pages, the abridged version with its 600 pages is just as enticing but more complex at few scenes where some characters appear suddenly.
A background of the author's era is essential in understanding the setting and beginnings of "The Count of Monte Cristo." It was during this era that French royalties exiled Napoleon Bonaparte, the hailed French hero, to the Mediterranean island of Elba, where Edmond Dantes, the protagonist, finds him. It is the letter containing Napoleon's secret plans of retaliating against the French nobility that partially causes Dantes's imprisonment. This political reason, however, is not the main reason.
Though mostly direct and clear, Dumas's style varies to a more philosophical one when discussing human nature, which he does often towards the end. Edmond Dantes, as mentioned above, is the young and well-off protagonist, ready to become the captain of his ship and get married. With a big heart and somewhat ignorant soul, Dantes falls into the farce those closest to him had set up. In the beginning chapters, the ready already sees themes of love, hatred, and jealousy.
Returning after a long time under the name of Count of Monte Cristo, Dantes begins executing his plans of revenge against those who destroyed him and recompense those who helped him. What truly makes this book such a remarkable one is the beauty and perfection with which the Golden Rule ("Do unto others what you with done unto you") is applied throughout the development of the plot.
With abundant characters that differ in personality and beliefs, every reader is sure to find his/her own reflection taking part of the story's advancement.
Overall, this book is worthwhile to read. I assure you that you will not be disappointed but you will enjoy every chapter of it. It is no wonder that it is hailed as "one of the greatest classics."
Book Review: It's a classic
Summary: 5 Stars
I just read this for the first time. Oh my, I feel like I've watched or been through an epic experience and felt the highs and lows of Edmond. I am heartbroken to find that his fiance is unfaithful, and that they can never be together. Yet, what a master writer Alexandre Dumas is not to make me hate him, for I can see now why it had to be so. How do some writers do that? Twist what you would normally hate into something so powerfully moving? Wonderful story, based on fact. However, there is one plot inconsistency, and that is when Mercedes tells Edmond that he is still so handsome. Tell me, do you know of anyone that has been through a major trial in their life? Divorce, death? How does their face look? Do they have more lines around their eyes, or maybe a deep wrinkle or two on their forehead or cheek? Bad habits that destroy their looks? Try 14 years in the worst prison and I cannot imagine it would leave anyone handsome. True, Mercedes might have said such a thing out of her love for him, but throughout the story the hint of his looks are that of a handsome gentleman. Wow, what a great story though. My heart bleeds for Edmond and I wish that he and Mercedes would have made a couple at the end, and even though Edmond says he will find peace, it is not enough to make me think his torture has ended. Revenge is the thread in this story, white hot, unstoppable, self tormenting revenge. The things he confronts is what we all confront when faced with betrayal. Do we become what we despise? Turn the tables and exact revenge? Do we have the right? Can we live with ourselves afterwards? Edmond overcomes his doubts as to his purpose by reminding himself of all the tortures he faced. He becomes the thing created from his experience. Once set on this path, he cannot undo it. Thusly, suicide crops its head as it should. No easy task, to slowly destroy those who ruined you. It seems with each success he destroys some of his self, too. The old Edmond. What amazed me is the author placed such realistic thoughts in Edmond's head about how he felt he'd gone too far, the guilt...it makes you wonder whether you would choose to be wise and forgive in order to move on or follow the same path...which shaped Edmond because he spent so much time in that hellish cell. Recommended reading, but don't expect happy endings, just an amazing rollercoaster!@Book Review: Amazing book, don't watch the movie, read this book!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is incredible! I watched the movie that came out in 2000 or 2001 and really enjoyed it but after reading this book, I think I would really HATE the movie. If you're looking for an incredibly intricate plot line then read the book and skip the movie. The movie takes pieces of the plot and twists it in such a way that leaves the viewer with little to know surprise or suspense. Alexandre Dumas writes in such a way as to put the reader right in the very scene that is being played out. As I read this book I felt like I was sitting in the conversations taking place amongst the characters. I don't know how he does it (I'm not a writer!) but he does it quite well.
Believe it or not, I've not been much of a reader until recently (I'm 30, if that tells you anything). When I found this book and saw how long it was I thought I was jumping in over my head, however, I quickly found that this was a book that I could NOT put down and one that I did NOT want to end! One of the highlights in the book (at least for me) is how you'll be cruising along with the story and tracking pretty well with it when all of a sudden you take a hard left turn and can't figure out who is who and what is what. Just when you think Dumas has lost his mind and can't write to save his life, he pulls out this magic thread that pulls these mystery pieces together and out of nowhere you have a new and amazing concept introduced in a way you didn't expect. Understanding that these threads are intertwined into the story helps the reader get through chapters that may not make sense at the time but have a huge payoff in the end.
One last thing, I have only read this version which is unabridged (nothing has been cut out). I've not read the abridged version (pieces of the story have been cut out to shorten it) but I can't imagine that it holds a candle to the unabridged, of course you'll have to determine that for yourself. I'm an all or nothing individual and so of course I wanted every aspect of the story included, I'm so glad I did! Buy this unabridged version, you will NOT be disappointed and please don't let the size of this book intimidate you. You'll be amazed (especially if you're not a fast reader like myself) at how quickly this book can read.
Buy the book, you will love it!
Book Review: ROBIN BUSS's TRANSLATION from PENGUIN CLASSICS
Summary: 5 Stars
This review is for those who've already decided they want to read The Count of Monte Cristo (you won't regret it!), and don't know which version to get.
Short answer: see review title, duh!
The Count of Monte Cristo is my favorite book, and I've read several translations, both abridged and unabridged.
TRANSLATION
The Buss translation is the most modern, and reads most fluidly. A quick example comparing this translation with the one found on Project Gutenberg:
PG - His wife visited for him, and this was the received thing in the world, where the weighty and multifarious occupations of the magistrate were accepted as an excuse for what was really only calculated pride...
BUSS - His wife visited on his behalf; this was accepted in society, where it was attributed to the amount and gravity of the lawyer's business -- when it was, in reality, deliberate arrogance...
Buss's work reads like the book was written in English. The two or so times that the work is nearly untranslatable, Buss makes a footnote about it (eg, an insinuated insult using the formal "vous" instead of the familiar "tu"). Other translations just skip the subtlety. The most common translation out there (uncredited in my version) reads like a swamp. Trust me, get Buss.
ABRIDGED V UNABRIDGED
Abridged versions of this book rarely say "abridged." You can tell by the size: abridged is 500-700 pages, unabridged is 1200-1400 pages. Go for the unabridged.
The abridged version is VERY confusing! Pruning 1200 pages down to 600 leaves a lot of plot on the cutting room floor. Suddenly, arriving at dinner are 4 new characters; it's very tiring to try to keep up with the hole-ridden story of the abridged versions. And you know where the holes are? Publishers "clean up" the book by omitting the affairs, illegitimate children, homosexuality, hashish trips, etc.
As an added bonus in the Penguin Classics edition, there's a wonderful appendix bursting with footnotes to explain all the 19th century references, and a quick guide to the rise and fall of Napoleon (crucial to the politics in the story).
Hope this helps. Get the book and start reading!
Book Review: You people should really get your noses out of those vampire romance novels and read good stuff.
Summary: 5 Stars
In these troubled times, we are facing a crisis that is not mentioned very much. We have grown teenagers who don't like to read and cannot pronounce the simplest words. If they do read, it's the latest Wal-Mart fad novel that will not be remembered in 100 years. As for the classics, they are shunned upon as being too complex and too long to read.
At least I still got the reading mojo people lacked. This is probaly the greatest book I've read in awhile. Even though it was written over 160 years ago, it's still hard to beat.
The basic outline of the plot is simple. It takes place in France, and even though it is written in English, many French elements remain. Edmund Dantes has it all. He's a well respected sailor who has a beautiful bride-to-be named Mercedes. But unknown to him, a man named Fernand, (who is also Mercedes' cousin 0_0) wants her as well. So with the help of a man name Danglers, he sends a letter accusing Dantes of being a traitor, and the prosecutor Villefort sends him without trial to the Château d'If, an island prison, which is a real place, by the way. There he spends fourteen years of his life, the only company he has is a secret communication with the supposedly mad Abbe Faria, who helps him figure out who the framers were. When he dies, Dantes replaces his body with his own and he is thrown off to sea, where he manges to recover and heads to the island of Monte Cristo, where Faria said there was a treasure at. After becoming rich, he plans his unique revenge against his accusers, under the alias of the Count of Monte Cristo.
But it's more than a tale of revenge. The novel is filled with many characters who have their own agendas, as well as some extraordinary writing and many twists in the story. It's actually kind of sad that this book doesn't get as much respect as it deserves. While you may be turned off by its length (don't get the abridged version, or God forbid the Great Illustrated Classics version, AKA 'Literature for Dummies') and its archaic language, but anyone who actually knows how to read should understand this book.
So yeah, the next time you're at the library or the bookstore, perhaps you should skip Breaking Dawn and read something good, like this.