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thepurplegiraffe's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of those books that I've heard of forever, with most people (myself included) too intimidated by the sheer size of the thing to actually attempt it, and those who have gone on the adventure insisting it's worth it. Happily, I now find myself in the latter group. Most of my knowledge of it came from Wishbone, a couple of mentions of it in other books, and that weird cameo The Count made in Once Upon a Time season 6 (in retrospect now the cameo is even weirder than it was before I really knew who he was... why did they do that... *sigh*) All that to say that after rocketing through the first 150 pages and reaching the end of everything I already knew happened, I simply had to know how there were NINE HUNDRED MORE PAGES and what they could possibly contain. (also I'm seeing people saying it should've been shorter and no. incorrect. I disagree most heartily. you gotta let edmond cook, okay.)
This novel originally being published serially explains so much, honestly. He had to keep the people coming back for more, and oh how I wish I could've been a fly on the wall as people discussed this in the 1840s, because it's INSANE. In the best way possible, but insane nonetheless. Dantès really needed to see a therapist, but who needs therapy when there's revenge, am I right?
He's a genius, though, tbh. I'm incredibly impressed. He doesn't even have to enact his own revenge, he just has to move a lil dirt and let the buried secrets reveal themselves. What an icon.
That's the thing that kept me hooked, I think. I like Dantès. I want good things for him. And I had to keep going, just on the hope that he'd get something of a happy ending. And, you know, the bandits and pirates and prison escapes and buried treasure and murder and all the DRAMA by golly I couldn't look away! (it's also SO funny? which was such a pleasant surprise, I laughed a LOT) The first part is more action/adventure, and then it switches to an almost Jane Austen-esque societal drama, and I ate 👏 it 👏 up 👏 Every character is important, every character has a part to play, and it's a safe bet to assume every character is actually Dantès in disguise until proven otherwise.
The moral of the story: Don't do bad things. Be nice to people. No matter how deep you bury misdeeds, they will come back to bite you in the butt. Oh, and you can do anything if you have about a gazillion dollars and a costume closet. The world is your oyster.
And also, "wait and hope." That's arguably the most important thing you're supposed to take away. (Idk I think adding "find buried treasure" to my life plan is also a theme, but. Maybe that's just me.)
Overall I don't think I'll ever come down from the high of being able to say I've read this, full and unabridged. Huzzah for me. 😂 It's a masterpiece, plain and simple. If I'm honest, I feel pretty confident I'm going to read it again someday. And that I've already found my top book of 2025 because I haven't been able to stop thinking about it in the 48 hours since I finished it, and I doubt it's going to leave my head anytime soon.
The size is more intimidating than it should be, okay? At least give it 150 pages and see how you like it. Or don't. It's your life. Unlike Dantès, I cannot actually move enough money around to alter your subconscious. You're welcome.
Five stars. WHEW was that a ride.
**content warnings for revenge (duh) (if that's something you don't like in books, that's like... 90% of this book so... keep that in mind), suicide (some just considered, some carried out), violence (both threatened and carried out), murder, drug use, some off-page sexual assault-ish stuff and some off-page adultery, and some mild profanity
Moderate: Child death, Death, Drug use, Miscarriage, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and Classism
Minor: Cursing, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Alcohol
rosenthorne's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Child death, Drug use, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Slavery, Suicide, Medical trauma, Murder, and Abandonment
dananator13's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Miscarriage, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Murder
marianneiriss's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Drug use, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and Classism
heini's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Tarina kertoo Monte Criston kreivistä, joka kostaakseen kohtalonsa pitää itseään Jumalan lähettämänä sallimuksena juoniessaan vihollistensa tuhon.
1800-luvun alkupuolen Ranska ja Italia seurapiireineen on viihdyttävää lukemista.
Aikansa tuotos, niin hyvässä kuin pahassa.
Ah, teatraalinen, goottilainen, suosikkini! Ihmisyyden pahuus - ja hyvän pilkahdukset.
Graphic: Confinement and Colonisation
Moderate: Death and Grief
Minor: Drug use, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Suicide attempt, and Murder
furtherupandin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Drug use, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder