Holy shit! This book is insane. I’m half way through it, and I can’t even express how I feel about this book. Masterpiece? Doesn’t give it justice. I’ve never done this in my life over a book (and I’ve read well over 500 books for the last 30 years), I got emotional during some parts of this book. I have ADHD and it’s very hard for me to focus when reading, unless it’s an extremely good book like this I guess. This probably sounds silly to some. The reason why I’m only just finding out about this book is because I’m new to the West. An immigrant if you will, and never heard of this book until a couple of weeks ago. If you haven’t read this book; I highly recommend it. Alexandre Dumas is a genius.
The Count of Monte Cristo will always hold a special place in my heart because I read it as a kid and it was the first real “grown up book” I ever read, and it absolutely hooked me. I was reading it under the covers with a flashlight when I was supposed to be asleep. It has the vivid, detailed descriptions you find in the classics, but without slowing down the pace. There’s a bunch of different threads and subplots to follow, and I generally feel like most adaptations don’t do it justice, because it takes more than a movie or miniseries to tell the story - the one exception being Gankatsuo (as mentioned here already) which changes the setting but follows the story pretty faithfully, giving it a full season and starting midway through.
On top of the action, adventure, and schemes, it also has social commentary, philosophy, and interesting characters. The count occupies this unique position in the upper class in that he’s not old money and not tied to the aristocracy, but not exactly new money either, in that he’s not a merchant or capitalist. He’s just this free agent with his own agenda and values, and nobody knows what to make of him.
It’s fun, it’s very thought-provoking, and the imagery is striking. Big fan.
It’s a bit of a leap, but I think there’s some similarities with another one of my favorites, Crime and Punishment. In fact, looking back at what I wrote, “On top of the action, adventure, and schemes, it also has social commentary, philosophy, and interesting characters” is exactly on point for it too. It feels more modern that the era it was written, I’ve seen it described as a thriller and I think that fits.
This is one of those books that seems cliche until you realize that it’s the origin of the tropes.
This is my favorite book! I love that you love it too! It only gets better the further you get in the story. I own both the abridged and unabridged versions, can’t go wrong with either. Hope you enjoy the last half!
He’s starting with Danglar and Villefort now and it’s getting so freaking good right now. I can’t put the book down.
For anyone looking to read in English I highly recommend the Robin Buss translation. It has endnotes throughout the book explaining various references that would not be obvious to modern readers, such as references to real people that don’t get named to avoid libel issues but would’ve obvious to readers in the 19th century, or how certain artists reveal that someone has good taste or bad taste.
Don’t be intimidated by the size; it quickly becomes a page-turner. It was originally published serialized in newspapers, like a modern TV show, one chapter each day. Most chapters end on a cliffhanger so people would buy the next day’s paper, making the book hard to put down.
Thank you so much for the recommendation.
I second this thank you!
Thanks for the recommendation, I just snagged a copy.
Is that the unabridged, longer version? I has read the shorter version a few years ago and got the Unabridged about a year ago with three intent to tackle it. The name Robin seems familiar
Yes, it’s unabridged
I found my copy (which was staring me on the face) and I have three Robin Buss one
I love this book! it’s long but dense, it’s trashy but it’s also high art, it’s tragic but it’s also inspirational. I’m glad Dumas was paid by the word, because it means he wrote as much. You should check out the musketeers books if you haven’t already, I think Count is a stronger book but they’re all written in the same engrossing style.
Thank you. I’m eying the three musketeers next
Having read both, I recommend the three musketeers, but don’t expect it to be quite as good as the count of Monte Christo
I already have it on my Kobo, it might be next, you never know. I try to read fiction then nonfiction then fiction and so on. I might make an exception this time.
Just the first book or the series? All “3” are fairly long between them
I have one book that is 1100 pages
Book three is so massive it’s usually split up into between 3-5 volumes, in total it has 268 chapters
You are saying the three musketeers is 3 books?
Yeah it’s probably my “pick just one” best book. It’s a wild ride! I’m interested in what you think when you finish!
Three Musketeers is different but I also really liked it. It’s very amusing/funny.
I love the book already. I don’t think I’ll have the literate capacity to write a whole opinion on the book. I don’t know what you call that, but I’m that person who can’t fully (or to a satisfactory level) articulate whatever on his mind into speech/writing, and it’s very frustrating.
Hey no pressure, if you remember to drop an “I liked it!”, that’s all I meant. :)
I just finished it and I’m so sad that it finished :( That book was amazing.
I think the ending is awesome too! Glad you liked it. It’s just as good the second time through, just give it a year or so. :)
The ending was so damn satisfying. I freaking loved it. Next time, I’ll read it in English. So now I’m debating between two books, Moby-Dick or a nonfiction called “manufacturing consent” by Noam Chomski 🤔
I already love it. I don’t actually need to finish it to say that. I’m at the 77th chapter and it keeps getting crazier.
I was going to read it in French. I wonder if I’m missing out by doing that (it’s a great movie, and I’m only semi fluent in French).
I’m reading it in Arabic, as the English version has a ton of words I don’t know and I got tired of translating. I wish I were fluent in French, it’s always best to read a book in its original language IMHO.
At worst, it’s going to be excellent practice
I fully support you in this endeavor.
I don’t normally read fiction, but this one was recommended to me by a person on Reddit and I checked it out. Now, I’m hooked. I can’t put the book down. Lol
Spoilers below so don’t read if you haven’t read a book published 180 years ago
It is the greatest story of vengeance ever written.
Not revenge, vengeance.
The book is bat shit wild. There are parts where you will remember after you finished and think ‘was that a fever dream?’
There was a cross dressing lesbian couple or did I imagine that?
Did he really just burn down the whole house?
How did he survive the poisoning?
Who is that bandit again?
What was buried in the yard?
So many tangential story lines that culminate in an amazing climax.
So many moments that are little vignettes which explain pivotal moments in the characters.
The crazy Abbes relief when Dantes believes him.
The live fish being delivered in barrels
The fact no one escapes the Counts wrath.
Wait and Hope Baby. Wait and hope.
I was considering picking this one up. Good to know it lives up.
You’ll love it
I have read both The Count of Monte Cristo, The Three Musketeers, and Twenty Years After. I’m currently playing with the idea to read The Three Musketeers again because it has been so long.
I had also read The Count of Monte Cristo a few years ago and want to see if i can take on the unabridged version
I think I have only seen the cartoon show series of the three musketeers, and it was actually dogs, not humans. Lol. I already have the book and might just read it after this one.
It is a masterpiece. If you like the genre, I’d like to recommend Der Schwedische Reiter (The Swedish Cavalier in english). It is the very definition of adventure, mystique, vengeance, and love. The beauty of it made me very emotional. I should re-read it…!
I’ll be checking that one out. Thank you so much
Thanks for this post! I read The Three Musketeers ages ago while in middle school (pre-teenage). I’m sure I didn’t get get much more out of it than sword fights and adventure at the time. I’d always meant to go back and read more Dumas. This post (and the comments about Dracula, another book I read first in middle school and enjoyed even more when I read it again last year for Halloween) has encouraged me to add to the top spot in my “to read” list.
Glad I could inspire someone at least. Lol Books are very good, especially in this day and age where technology is prevalent and very hard to avoid. Reading has been such a peaceful space for me, and the internet is a very chaotic place.
Kind of ajacent but if you havent watched V for Vendetta there is a pretty good scene talking about The Count of Monte Cristo.
I would recommend finishing the book first because i dont know if there are any spoilers.
Bonus points if you watch it on Fifth of November
I’ve always wanted to watch this movie, but never got around to it for some reason. I’m going to watch it soon
I do enjoy seeing the ‘oh, this is why’ feeling in people. I got much the same reading Dracula, and I recommend it if you have yet to have the pleasure. You might think you know it, but trust me, give it a go.
Ah that one has been on my list for a while. I need a new book - maybe I’ll finally see what the fuss is about Dracula.
Btw same thing for Frankenstein imo. Ya we all know the story, but man the book delivered so much more than what I thought I was in for.
Frankenstein is sooooooooo good.
It’s been a long time since I read Dracula but I remember really struggling with the start. Nearly quit a few times and it was slow going. At some point it flipped and I think I pretty much finished the book in one sitting. Anyway, it is great and was worth the rough start I had with it.
That’s how Fellowship of the Rings was for me. It took 4 or 5 times starting it before it finally clicked and then I absolutely loved it.
