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millennial_dandy's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
<i>"The one who pours himself a cup of vengeance is likely to drink a bitter draught."
"Yes, if he is poor and clumsy; no, if he's a millionaire and adroit." </i> p.385
The Count of Monte Cristo is, despite its girth and size, an excellent gateway into the Classics. And this for a number of reasons:
One, having been written serially, each chapter or at most, each couple of chapters, contains within a short story with a climax and cliffhanger that together serve an overarching plot. This means that the pacing clips along, so that before you know it, you're three hundred pages deep and still in the thick of things.
Two, it's much more linguistically accessible than classics/literary fiction has a reputation to be. Not that the prose isn't lovely in places--it is-- but for the most part, the prose is there as a vehicle for an exciting story. For someone who isn't looking to or is just starting to get used to wading through dense, multi-line sentences, each with their own dense, philosophical musings, metaphors, and hidden meanings, Monte Cristo is perfect. Given that it was written in the mid 19th century, there are some stylistic quirks that are obviously different to how such a novel would be written today, but it's easy enough to get into the rhythm.
Three, it is thematically pretty straightforward. This is principally a revenge fantasy plot wrapped around the question of whether or not revenge is a worthy cause to pursue. It explores how seeking revenge impacts the person seeking it as well as the fallout when it goes to plan. There's also a related question that Dumas raises about where, if anywhere, Providence ends and free-will begins. This may sound like a slightly more esoteric ponderance, but Dumas keeps it accessible by having the Count/Dantes call himself 'the Hand of God' about which he has several conversations with other principal characters.
I was frankly pretty amazed by how little in a novel published in the mid 1840s aged poorly. There are a few things that on first blush may appear to be at odds with our 21st century sensibilities, but Dumas makes it clear contextually that he as the author isn't suggesting these things are good, but is in fact including them as proof of the Count/Dantes's corruption. At one point, the Count tells one of the 'good guys', Franz, about how he acquired one of his <s>slaves</s> servants: by waiting until after the man had had his tongue cut out to rescue him from execution because 'he'd always wanted a mute servant.' <i>"For a moment Franz said nothing, considering what he should think of the cruel good humour with which his host had told him this story."</i> (p.316) And then later, when the Count speaks of this slave, Ali, again to someone else: <i>"He receives no wages, he is not a servant, he is my slave, he is my dog. If he were to fail in his duty, I should not dismiss him. I should kill him." Baptistin's eyes bulged"</i> (p.528)
Then, of course, there's the elephant in the room: the Count's slave girl/mistress, Haydee, who he buys when she's a child, raises as his daughter, and eventually ends up in a romantic relationship with (thanks, I hate it). Even though this is the area where Dumas treads the closest to...poor taste (?) to say the least, he still has enough context and negative reaction from other characters to this relationship that the narrative isn't celebrating it. Still, definitely gives one the ick.
I rather think that the relative openness with which Dumas displays his tale's moral compass makes it a good starter for a reader just learning how to do literary analysis. What Dumas has to say about revenge can be easily extrapolated from the things his characters say and do in addition to the consequences and outcomes of those actions.
And, frankly, it's just a very compelling story with a memorable protagonist, a very discussable plot, and with enough intrigue to flesh itself out.
Sure, in a novel over 1000 pages, there are bound to be things that get overwritten, and a few too many side-plots, but it all comes back together in the end in a way that makes getting through those moments still feel worth it.
Is it the greatest novel ever written? I wouldn't accuse it of that, but it's definitely clear to me why it's stood the test of time, and I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a Netflix mini-series in the nearish future now that BookTok's gotten a hold of this sprawling novel.
"Yes, if he is poor and clumsy; no, if he's a millionaire and adroit." </i> p.385
The Count of Monte Cristo is, despite its girth and size, an excellent gateway into the Classics. And this for a number of reasons:
One, having been written serially, each chapter or at most, each couple of chapters, contains within a short story with a climax and cliffhanger that together serve an overarching plot. This means that the pacing clips along, so that before you know it, you're three hundred pages deep and still in the thick of things.
Two, it's much more linguistically accessible than classics/literary fiction has a reputation to be. Not that the prose isn't lovely in places--it is-- but for the most part, the prose is there as a vehicle for an exciting story. For someone who isn't looking to or is just starting to get used to wading through dense, multi-line sentences, each with their own dense, philosophical musings, metaphors, and hidden meanings, Monte Cristo is perfect. Given that it was written in the mid 19th century, there are some stylistic quirks that are obviously different to how such a novel would be written today, but it's easy enough to get into the rhythm.
Three, it is thematically pretty straightforward. This is principally a revenge fantasy plot wrapped around the question of whether or not revenge is a worthy cause to pursue. It explores how seeking revenge impacts the person seeking it as well as the fallout when it goes to plan. There's also a related question that Dumas raises about where, if anywhere, Providence ends and free-will begins. This may sound like a slightly more esoteric ponderance, but Dumas keeps it accessible by having the Count/Dantes call himself 'the Hand of God' about which he has several conversations with other principal characters.
I was frankly pretty amazed by how little in a novel published in the mid 1840s aged poorly. There are a few things that on first blush may appear to be at odds with our 21st century sensibilities, but Dumas makes it clear contextually that he as the author isn't suggesting these things are good, but is in fact including them as proof of the Count/Dantes's corruption. At one point, the Count tells one of the 'good guys', Franz, about how he acquired one of his <s>slaves</s> servants: by waiting until after the man had had his tongue cut out to rescue him from execution because 'he'd always wanted a mute servant.' <i>"For a moment Franz said nothing, considering what he should think of the cruel good humour with which his host had told him this story."</i> (p.316) And then later, when the Count speaks of this slave, Ali, again to someone else: <i>"He receives no wages, he is not a servant, he is my slave, he is my dog. If he were to fail in his duty, I should not dismiss him. I should kill him." Baptistin's eyes bulged"</i> (p.528)
Then, of course, there's the elephant in the room: the Count's slave girl/mistress, Haydee, who he buys when she's a child, raises as his daughter, and eventually ends up in a romantic relationship with (thanks, I hate it). Even though this is the area where Dumas treads the closest to...poor taste (?) to say the least, he still has enough context and negative reaction from other characters to this relationship that the narrative isn't celebrating it. Still, definitely gives one the ick.
I rather think that the relative openness with which Dumas displays his tale's moral compass makes it a good starter for a reader just learning how to do literary analysis. What Dumas has to say about revenge can be easily extrapolated from the things his characters say and do in addition to the consequences and outcomes of those actions.
And, frankly, it's just a very compelling story with a memorable protagonist, a very discussable plot, and with enough intrigue to flesh itself out.
Sure, in a novel over 1000 pages, there are bound to be things that get overwritten, and a few too many side-plots, but it all comes back together in the end in a way that makes getting through those moments still feel worth it.
Is it the greatest novel ever written? I wouldn't accuse it of that, but it's definitely clear to me why it's stood the test of time, and I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a Netflix mini-series in the nearish future now that BookTok's gotten a hold of this sprawling novel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Violence
jo_lzr's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Despite being very slow at times, it's amazing how a book this long manages to be so interesting! There are many quotes that I loved and the writing was so profound.
Also, I can't express how happy I am that not only there was a lesbian couple but that they also got a happy ending! It was a very pleasant surprise!
I can't give this book 5 stars because I think that Mércédés deserved better! Even though I ship her with Edmond, I get why they can't be together. I just wish that she would have gotten a better ending. Plus, Haydée and Monte Cristo's relationship was very weird. For example, that part near the end, where her love for him is described as the love for a father AND a husband (and a brother). That was weird. Though, it could also be that Haydée has daddy issues.
I can't give this book 5 stars because I think that Mércédés deserved better! Even though I ship her with Edmond, I get why they can't be together. I just wish that she would have gotten a better ending. Plus, Haydée and Monte Cristo's relationship was very weird. For example, that part near the end, where her love for him is described as the love for a father AND a husband (and a brother). That was weird. Though, it could also be that Haydée has daddy issues.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Lesbophobia
kmhst25's review against another edition
3.75
I bought a cheap copy of this book only to realize that it was actually an abridged version, just as I was about to start reading it. So I donated that copy and got a full-length version from the library.
Now that I’ve read it, I rather wish I’d just stuck with the abridged one, because there’s an extremely entertaining tale in here, but it’s really bogged down by repetitiveness, objectionable (and generally completely unnecessary) comments and stories, wish fulfillment, and confusing passages that could be attributable to poor translation, poor writing, or purposeful use of contradictory language, but just aren’t explained enough to really make sense of.
Now that I’ve read it, I rather wish I’d just stuck with the abridged one, because there’s an extremely entertaining tale in here, but it’s really bogged down by repetitiveness, objectionable (and generally completely unnecessary) comments and stories, wish fulfillment, and confusing passages that could be attributable to poor translation, poor writing, or purposeful use of contradictory language, but just aren’t explained enough to really make sense of.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Slavery, and Kidnapping
lizziaha's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
In a book that is so dark for the majority of its (very numerous) pages, I found the ending to be incredibly hopeful and joyous. Although the romantic in me hoped that Dantes and Mercedes would end up together . Surprisingly, I found very little of this book to be superfluous; indeed, it was very satisfying to watch the Count weave his complicated web of revenge. I found myself rooting for unlikely heroes, and marveling at the tangled mess where these characters lives had intertwined. I was also utterly surprised and delighted to see two queer characters who find a happy end in this book! Altogether worth the read, even though it was a long time coming for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and Classism
Moderate: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Gun violence, Homophobia, Incest, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Torture, Kidnapping, and War
doodeedoda's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Grief
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, and Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity, Racial slurs, Slavery, and Alcohol
eimearz's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
My absolute favourite book of all time. Dumas is a master at writing slowly-unraveling plots, and I am in a perpetual state of rereading it despite its length.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Death, Infidelity, Misogyny, Slavery, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Racism, Slavery, Antisemitism, Lesbophobia, and Cultural appropriation
rchristine11's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
The really enjoyable part of the book was seeing how character built their own tombs and designed their own ruins. The less enjoyable part was the long winded narrative, slow pace, and glorification of suicide.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Drug use, Infidelity, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Classism
Moderate: Incest and Racial slurs
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
marianneiriss's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
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
mmefish's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Death
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship