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: The best story line that I have ever read
Summary: 5 Stars
This was one of the best story lines that I have ever read. When I first looked at the book I thought over 1200 pages it has to be long and drawn out. But, I was wrong about drawn out. I found the book interesting all the way through. This is one of those story where once you finish it you want to start it over again.
I had a couple of problem through out the book. One problem was that the book assumes that the reader is familiar with French culture in the 1800s. The book would slightly mention some current event like the Hundred Days of Napoleon and assume that the reader know about it. Also, the book would use French words for some items or events and assume that the reader knew that they were without explaining them. This was explainable because it was written in the 1800s in French for French readers who lived in the 1800s. It was hard to keep all the characters and their relationships with each other straight. It really became a large problem half way through the book when they introduced 8 new characters all at once. I would suggest writing down the main characters and their relationships with one another when you find out about them. Another problem was that the book would refer to a person with two different names.
Book Review: My favorite novel
Summary: 5 Stars
This is my favorite novel. Extremely interesting, complex, detailed, contains so much history (along with historical fiction), this book is great (was that a sentence?).
This is the unabridged version, which i recommend. Reading the abridged would be like watching a thirty minute version of Shaw shank. It is just so much more detailed and complex. I took me about a week to read, with most of my time doing just that. The second time i read it, it took much longer.
Watching the movie first does not ruin this book at all as they are very different.
General plot and style for those who don't know:
This novel defines the expression 'revenge is a dish best served cold'. Its tells a story of an innocent and optimistic young man beset by misfortune, who then vows to exact a long and meticulous scheme of revenge. Because of the books great lengths, many other characters are examined as deeply as shorter books examine their protagonist. Obviously the book is very detailed with interesting insight into the time period it was written in and about.
Truly an epic book like no other, I strongly recommend it. Even if you don't like it, chances are it would make a great gift for a friend.
Book Review: just perfect
Summary: 5 Stars
I agree with the reviewers that this is one of the best books ever written. I read this book as part of a book club and probably never would have read it on my own--having read many of the books of Hugo and Dickens and other writers of that approximate era. I love both of these writers but find them both at times cumbersome and stilted and really wasn't in the mood for another. However, I could not put the Count of Monte Cristo down. This book seems freshly modern in writing style compared to these superb writers. From the beginning it is a page turner--almost Harry Potter like in its ability to have action, adventure and drama on almost every page. If you read the unabridged version you will find some allusions to morality and the wrongness of revenge which I enjoyed. But what makes the book great is the grandeur of the writing, the tightness of a wonderful plot, filled with subplots, the development of the characters, and the constant magic of combining romance and adventure. It is the ultimate romance book. If you watched the most recent version of the movie, you might be disappointed at the lack of sword fights, but there is never a lack of adventure and suspense. It might be 1400 pages long, but it never disappoints.Book Review: A great book from the point of view of someone who hates to read!
Summary: 5 Stars
I am a student, and I was recently asked to read this book for an assignment. When I first began reading the book I was stumped by the first couple of pages. I had to go back and do a bit of re-analyzing, because sometimes they call the characters by their first name, at times by their last, and some gain a specific title throughout the book. That really threw me for a loop, and if you don't pay attention to that you'll be confused the whole way through. The first couple of chapters moved a little sluggishly for me, but after I got to a point of interest this was a quick read for me. The thing that makes this book so interesting is the underlying theme. The whole point is someone will double cross anyone if they think they'll benefit from it in the long run. It also shows just how much revenge can cloud a person's mind. This was one of the first books I've been given to read for an assignment that I actually found meaningful. Much better than the "Oeidipus," or "Alice in Wonderland" by far. Although this book is a classic, there is a very modern feel to it because much of the things menchined in this book happen today in different ways. Overall it was a wonderful book. I don't regret reading it at all.Book Review: Wondering which version to buy?
Summary: 5 Stars
Dear prospective Count of Monte Cristo buyer,
Having read and loved the abridged version of TCOMT, I expected the extra 800 odd pages of this version to be endless dissertations on armory and town history. Not so! This is 800 more pages of delicious PLOT, whole twists, conversations, and characters that are chopped out in the abridged-glued-back-together versions! It went from being my third all-time favorite to my all time favorite book.
As to versions: I LOVE hardbacks so after reading this one I *ahem* sold it to my sister and went about purchasing a hard back. I was unable to find a hard back in this addition and so looked at others. Thankfully I was able to compare other translations/editions that were hard-back on-line with *this* version (as it was still in the house) and I gladly proclaim that this is THE BEST VERSION OF COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO OUT THERE! It has richer, more natural, language (i.e. the difference between "see Spot run" and "the auburn Setter skipped down the steps towards me." -lol) and far more satisfactory paragraph divisions. Read it, I just KNOW you'll love it.
Twice bought. Twice loved.