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jellybean_the_cat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
carroy's review against another edition
I have been thinking about not continuing for the past 20% but I’ve been like “I’m already too deep” and I spent $18 on it (technically from a gift card so not so bad) but my sibling was like “why are you doing this” and you know what they’re right! I’ll eventually read this (but maybe an abridged version) but rn I just can’t take this guy’s voice or how there are weird pauses between sentences even tho I’m listening on 2x speed. When I return to this I think I’m gonna have to actually read it and not audiobook it. But definitely an abridged version 😭
evarose3's review against another edition
5.0
Man, this book! What a doozy—but the ending was so worth it. This was my first Dumas and I was absolutely taken away with all of his characters. Having such a big cast can be hard, but they were all so vivid it was easy to keep it all straight. The mini plots and schemes throughout the book kept it really entertaining. And I’m a sucker for serial novels, so it was cool reading this and thinking about how it might’ve been separated into installments and made suitable for publication over a couple years.
Overall, the only issue I can think of with this book is its length and I can’t even be mad about that: the way the plot developed and all the details were necessary for how it all wrapped up. Would recommend to anyone looking to spend a lot of time on an entertaining classic.
Overall, the only issue I can think of with this book is its length and I can’t even be mad about that: the way the plot developed and all the details were necessary for how it all wrapped up. Would recommend to anyone looking to spend a lot of time on an entertaining classic.
hlntn's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
holliemae's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
whoisthisjan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Solid 5 stars. Every page was worth it. Funny, witty and a gorgeous exploration of revenge as well as every psychological aspect that precedes and follows it.
jacobslatingbooks's review against another edition
5.0
6/5⭐️
I never thought I’d find myself saying this after defeating nearly 1300 pages but did it really have to end? It felt like losing a great friend, knowing that the only way to see them again is to watch them suffer before they can be happy again.
All that emotion was clearly building and building because I read that final letter and the inexorable floodgates just flew open. I haven’t cried that much in finishing a book since A Man Called Ove and I thought that bout of tears was enough.
I would recommend this book to anyone. It might even be my new favourite but that could be recency bias talking.
Spoiler Part:
I absolutely loved the richly orchestrated, vibrant tapestry of a world and its inhabitants painted by Dumas in this book. The complexity and the intricacy by which the count starts to mechanise the downfall of those who wronged him is, in a perverse manner, so brilliant to watch. It is a shame about Mercedes and yet I think Haydee was a much better choice, albeit in a slightly stockholm-syndromeesque manner.
I never thought I’d find myself saying this after defeating nearly 1300 pages but did it really have to end? It felt like losing a great friend, knowing that the only way to see them again is to watch them suffer before they can be happy again.
All that emotion was clearly building and building because I read that final letter and the inexorable floodgates just flew open. I haven’t cried that much in finishing a book since A Man Called Ove and I thought that bout of tears was enough.
I would recommend this book to anyone. It might even be my new favourite but that could be recency bias talking.
Spoiler Part:
I absolutely loved the richly orchestrated, vibrant tapestry of a world and its inhabitants painted by Dumas in this book. The complexity and the intricacy by which the count starts to mechanise the downfall of those who wronged him is, in a perverse manner, so brilliant to watch. It is a shame about Mercedes and yet I think Haydee was a much better choice, albeit in a slightly stockholm-syndromeesque manner.
sanjii24's review against another edition
5.0
This is by far the best book I have ever read and to think that it was written in 1844, over a hundred years ago, proves that fiction is timeless. Dumas must’ve had an amazing imagination to conjure up all the spectacular details within this story, most of which I shall never forget.
“ All human wisdom is contained in these two words ‘wait’ and ‘hope’ “
“ All human wisdom is contained in these two words ‘wait’ and ‘hope’ “
lakiesha's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
To think of a story like this, which was complex in its execution, while making it still easy to read, one needs to be a genius of some sort.
I truly believe that this was one of the best thought-through stories I have ever read and the writing itself was also brilliant. So why only 4 stars?
Unfortunately, as the story progressed, I grew to dislike the main character more and more. From being a sensitive (maybe overly so) and intelligent young man who would look out for the people closest to him, he grew cold, indifferent and (which is the worst here) cocky. I understand the reason behind this, I doubt I would be any better given the circumstances. Nonetheless, that did not change my opinion of him. Furthermore, some parts of the story felt rushed like the relationship between Maximilien and the count where from the first moment the count declares himself as a father figure to Morrel while he does not even know him. For some reason, Maximilien does not find this concerning or weird which baffles me. The same goes for Maximilien's sister and her husband. They all like the count immediately without there being any real reason for this, seeing as - as I said before - the count is rather cold in character. Additionally, the count comes out of prison and spends ten years travelling the world and suddenly speaks a multitude of languages without any accent. Like I know that he learnt some languages with the help of Abbe Faria but one cannot claim that it is logical that he can speak them without a detectable accent when his entire previous life he had only spoken French. Other times, the story was drawn out well over what would have been necessary. However, I can forgive this since this seems to be the theme with a lot of classics. What I cannot forgive though is the ending of this book because WHY did the count (who had never before seen her in this light) decide that it would be a good idea to give into the feelings of his ADOPTIVE DAUGHTER and start a relationship with her?? Just no.
Otherwise, I really enjoyed the book and its display of what can happen when one gets lost in a quest for revenge.
I truly believe that this was one of the best thought-through stories I have ever read and the writing itself was also brilliant. So why only 4 stars?
Unfortunately, as the story progressed, I grew to dislike the main character more and more. From being a sensitive (maybe overly so) and intelligent young man who would look out for the people closest to him, he grew cold, indifferent and (which is the worst here) cocky. I understand the reason behind this, I doubt I would be any better given the circumstances. Nonetheless, that did not change my opinion of him. Furthermore, some parts of the story felt rushed like the relationship between Maximilien and the count where from the first moment the count declares himself as a father figure to Morrel while he does not even know him. For some reason, Maximilien does not find this concerning or weird which baffles me. The same goes for Maximilien's sister and her husband. They all like the count immediately without there being any real reason for this, seeing as - as I said before - the count is rather cold in character. Additionally, the count comes out of prison and spends ten years travelling the world and suddenly speaks a multitude of languages without any accent. Like I know that he learnt some languages with the help of Abbe Faria but one cannot claim that it is logical that he can speak them without a detectable accent when his entire previous life he had only spoken French. Other times, the story was drawn out well over what would have been necessary. However, I can forgive this since this seems to be the theme with a lot of classics. What I cannot forgive though is the ending of this book because WHY did the count (who had never before seen her in this light) decide that it would be a good idea to give into the feelings of his ADOPTIVE DAUGHTER and start a relationship with her?? Just no.
Otherwise, I really enjoyed the book and its display of what can happen when one gets lost in a quest for revenge.
marven22's review against another edition
5.0
One of The best books I have ever read. It will hold a special place in my heart forever.