The Count of Monte Cristo (Penguin Classics)

I recently finished reading “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas, published by Penguin Classics, and it was an absolutely enthralling experience from start to finish. This edition is beautifully presented, with a cover that captures the essence of the novel and high-quality paper that makes for a pleasant reading experience.The story itself is a masterpiece of adventure and intrigue. Dumas’ writing is both engaging and detailed, bringing to life the tale of Edmond Dantès’ transformation from a wrongfully imprisoned sailor to the enigmatic Count of Monte Cristo. The plot is richly layered with themes of justice, revenge, and redemption, making it a deeply satisfying read.One of the strengths of this novel is its complex and well-developed characters. Each character, from the cunning villains to the loyal friends, adds depth to the story. The protagonist’s journey is both heartbreaking and exhilarating, and it’s easy to become deeply invested in his quest for vengeance and ultimate justice.The Penguin Classics edition also includes helpful notes and an introduction that provide valuable context and insights into the historical and literary significance of the novel. This added depth enhanced my understanding and appreciation of the story.The only minor drawback is the novel’s length, which can be daunting. However, every chapter is filled with gripping narrative and unexpected twists, making it well worth the commitment.Overall, “The Count of Monte Cristo” is a timeless classic that deserves a place on every bookshelf. This Penguin Classics edition is a wonderful way to experience Dumas’ epic tale. Highly recommended for anyone who loves a story rich in adventure, emotion, and complexity.

Firstly, a quick note on this edition: having started an old, archaic and atrocious translation to begin with, I can heartily recommend the crystal prose of Robin Buss's translation for Penguin Classics... The difference was startling, and it made it an absolute joy to read where it could so easily have become a chore!Now, this is going to be a tricky one to review. What to say about a book so well loved, so widely read, so generally revered? Well, let's start with the basics, the bits most people already know. The novel opens with young Edmond Dantes, on the verge of becoming captain of his merchant ship and husband of the beautiful Mercedes, being betrayed by his jealous friends and thrown into jail for his alleged support of Napoleon. During his fourteen years in the terrifying Chateau d'If, he meets a 'mad' old abbe, who introduces him to the world of learning and tells him about a secret treasure that he wishes Edmond to have should he ever escape. Well, escape he does, and is reborn as the Count of Monte Cristo, using his incredible wealth, power and intelligence to bring justice down on the heads of the three men who condemned him to the dungeons.This book is so many things: it is epic, complex and exciting; it is heartbreaking, sorrowful and romantic. It touches on the heights of emotion, society and the human condition, as well as the depths of despair, corruption and depravity. I found myself speeding along in breathless excitement as Edmond's true identity was revealed to each of his tormentors, and felt the full horror of the tangled webs he wove to destroy them one by one. It made me ponder the relationship between wealth and power, between knowledge and power, and the way that faith can save someone's life but also, if they don't take care, lead them down a path swathed in darkness. The Count's lesson for jealous Danglars, for example, was deeply satisfying - whereas his quiet destruction of Villefort's entire family was devastating to read. Of course, all this is terribly unlikely and deeply dramatic, but that is part of its charm - this is escapism at its finest!Quite simply, this is a masterful novel that drew me in gently then refused to let me go. The characters are wonderfully drawn - I even got a bit of a crush on Dantes, fallen angel that he is - and the story seeps forward deliciously, bringing everything slowly into focus as the scattered elements of the Count's plans draw together. This is definitely going to be one of my top reads of the year and one of my favourite books ever! Read it!

Alexandre Dumas' "The Count of Monte Cristo" is a literary gem that continues to captivate readers with its intricate plot, rich character development, and profound themes. This timeless masterpiece is a must-read for anyone who appreciates the art of storytelling.The novel's protagonist, Edmond Dantès, undergoes a remarkable transformation from a naive young sailor to the enigmatic and powerful Count of Monte Cristo. Dumas masterfully weaves a tale of betrayal, revenge, and redemption that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The depth of Dantès' character and his relentless pursuit of justice make for an unforgettable journey.One of the most compelling aspects of the book is its exploration of human nature. Dumas delves into themes of vengeance, forgiveness, and the moral complexities of justice. Each character is meticulously crafted, from the treacherous Danglars to the noble and loyal Mercedes, adding layers of intrigue and emotional depth to the story.Dumas' writing style is both eloquent and accessible, making the 19th-century setting come alive with vivid descriptions and dynamic dialogues. The novel's pacing is impeccable, balancing moments of intense action with quieter, reflective scenes that allow readers to ponder the characters' motivations and choices."The Count of Monte Cristo" is more than just a tale of revenge; it is a profound exploration of the human spirit and the enduring power of hope and resilience. It is a book that stays with you long after the final page, prompting reflection on justice, mercy, and the possibility of redemption.In conclusion, "The Count of Monte Cristo" is a literary triumph that deserves a place on every bookshelf. Alexandre Dumas' genius shines through in this epic tale, making it a timeless classic that continues to enchant and inspire readers across generations.

The first three hundred pages of `The Count of Monte Cristo' are gripping, the story of an innocent man condemned, by a combination of accident & design, but who receives salvation at his moment of despair. The remainder of the novel is much more slow-burning as the Count engineers an introduction into Parisian society to exploit the weaknesses and dark secrets of his enemies: corruption, sexual misconduct & scandal.'The Count of Monte Cristo' is a picaresque novel with a dramatic plot. But the novel, for me, appears to sacrifice character and depth for the exigencies of plot, and subplots, such as Maximilien & Valentine's thwarted romance & the serial poisoner, affect the overall pace of the novel and are both clunky and melodramatic.There are glimpses of real style, such as the wonderful description towards the end of the evening sun reflected in the bosom of the waves. Despite the novel's length, there is a great deal of dialogue, revealing Dumas' theatrical background and his obvious talent at writing speech & conveying characters. There are some great secondary characters such as the wheel-chair ridden Noirtier; the passionate Mme Danglars, a proto-type for Madame Bovary; her daughter, Eugenie, unloved by her parents & treated as a commodity by her father, artistic and independent & clearly lesbian; and Abbe Faria, who gives Edmond Dantes the secret to a hidden treasure but also gives him another kind of treasure, knowledge.A missed opportunityBut I did feel the novel missed a great opportunity by not having the Count confront one of his enemies, de Villefort in particular, the figure of absolute justice, who condemns Dantes through a combination of accident & design. I felt short-changed, in a novel that depicts fashionable society's obsession with wealth, that the most selfish & boorish villain, Danglars, is shown mercy. From what I remember of `Les Miserables', there is a more spiritual dimension to the novel with Valjean & Javert having a final confrontation during the Paris revolt that changes the dynamic of their relationship. De Villefort is the Count's intellectual equal, (the chapter Ideology) and it would have been interesting to see the Chief Prosecutor show genuine remorse or learn of a law that tempers justice with mercy (de Villefort's guilt & conscience are hinted in the beginning of the novel before he allows ambition and selfish motives to condemn an innocent man). It could have been interesting to see de Villefort challenge the Count about the morality of revenge. In the hands of a novelist, like Dostoevsky, this could have been fertile territory.Warning: Spoiler alertMercedesThe novel is about Dantes' loss of liberty & revenge, but as the novel reached its climax, I felt that Mercedes, his lost love, was just as great a victim. In her own way, Mercedes `betrays' Edmond. She momentarily falters, failing to `wait' & `hope' so that she marries Fernand. But Mercedes remained loyal to Dantes' memory, like Penelope, yet ultimately she is the one who loses everything: her son, her husband & her fashionable Parisian life. I also felt she lost the one thing that she had cherished from her past life, the memory of her lost love, which becomes tarnished when she realises that the man she had mourned for is also the man determined to kill her son. For me, the scene where Mercedes intercedes with the Count on behalf of her son was one of the most moving in the book, Shakespearean in tone, like Volumnia with Coriolanus. I thought the final parting between the Count & Mercedes left much unsaid and unresolved as in life, a greater distance now existing between them, than it ever did when Edmond sailed the seas and Mercedes stood waiting for him in Marseille. I found it poignant as Mercedes stood watching her son's ship leave for Algeria, the past & the present blurred as she utters Edmond's name. I feel Mercedes is the one left bereft in the end, whereas the Count is offered a second possibility of happiness with Haydee and some form redemption by saving Valentine.I imagined Mercedes, the Countess de Morcerf, as Goya's portrait of Dona Zarate.The CountI found it interesting how the Count begins to question his own actions, the moral dilemma about revenge and how it harmed the innocent as the guilty. Did so many have to die in the serial murder plot? That seemed more grand guignol than a calculated revenge. I would have liked to have seen more of the Count's dark, brooding personality as revealed in the chapters in Rome, the execution and the discussion about the nature of revenge & punishment. I did enjoy how the Count sets himself up as Providence with the power of life & death over others, but how this sense of power corrupts him. It was interesting to read a review on here that describes the Count as the actual villain of the novel, an alternative take on his character.There was much that I enjoyed about the book: the first 300 pages; Franz travelling to meet the Count on his `magical' island and his hallucinogenic fantasy; the scenes where the Count discovers the treasure; how the Count sets up Caderousse, another of his `enemies', the man who stood by and did nothing whilst Dantes was implicated in a Napoleonic plot; the judicial investigation and Haydee's dramatic entrance; the comic scene about the telegraph receiver sending the wrong information (echoing `Trading Places', with the Dukes the son & heirs of Danglars & the misinformation they are given).Read the novel before seeing a dramatised versionI am glad that I read the novel before seeing any film adaptation. I've been quite taken aback at how the 2002 film version played fast & loose with the text, probably attempting to capture Dumas's spirit, but ending with a duel, which does not happen in the novel. Similarly, I caught the ending of the Depardieu version (1998). It seemed to capture the authenticity of the period, but the ending left me thinking that I was glad that I read the book for myself.

The Count Of Monte Cristo was the first book I picked up in many years in order to make a return to my love of reading and wow did it not disappoint. In a story you are always looking for great characters, a story that makes you want to read more and more with each passing page, and you want to feel emotion. Well this book gave me everything. I was shouting at the pages in anger, laughing, crying, every emotion you can think of.I was surprised that it wasn’t really just the one story but actually many stories that bring together one overall tale. Each character has a story that we learn as things move along and a lot of the characters are associated with each other in some way.People talk about big books being scary and at one point I agreed with that feeling however if you want to give one a try then I would certainly recommend this one as a starting point. If however you love big books and haven’t read this one yet I can only shout ‘why not, are you mad’ and suggest you click the image link above and order your copy today.5 stars just isn’t enough.

I got a real surprise as it’s a huge book, but looking forward to starting it.

Fab book but arrived looking like it had seen better days! Didn’t take away from enjoyment of this classic!

Doesn’t appear to have been used

The book is well wrapped, the printing is very clear. Can’t wait to read it !

Red this when I was 15-16 years old. Bought this for my granddaughter. Hope she will like it too.I watched French, Italian, Russian, and US movies The Count of Monte Cristo.Do you know that Alexandre Dumas wrote 400 or 500 books and novels? There is no person in the world who managed to read all of Dumas' books.If my granddaughter likes it, the next willThe Three Musketeers, Twenty Years After, Ten Years After, The Man in the Iron Mask, Queen Magot, Black Tulip, The forty-five guardsmen.

Ovviamente come sappiamo e' un capolavoro. Sebbene dubito che sia veramente una versione integrale e senza censure, in quanto avevo sentito parlare di temi clerici censurati che non ho veramente visto. Ma non essendo sicuro lascio 5 stelle.

Book delivered promptlyPrime worth every penny

The book was in the best condition ever. if u just ignore sm scratches on the cover, which aren't very visible. I'll say twin, replace it till u get a good copy, period.