19th Century Epic Romances discussion

Discuss The Count of Monte Cristo here. Please remember to be respectful and label all spoilers! I can't wait to see what everyone thinks of the book!

I am only in Chapter 6, but I just don't understand why Danglars has it out for the young captain. The live between him and Mercedes is just too beautiful for words. I am just shocked by all of the negativity he has faced since the death if the former captain. It makes me think Danglars is an ageist and doesn't want to see a young person thrive in career and love....thoughts

Kimberly I thought the same at first but since reading this story again I caught Danglars introduction in chapter one which shows how the crew sees him and how he sees them.

In Chapter I, when asked by Monsieur Morrel, Dantes replied that he and Danglars had a quarrel and he wanted to stop at the Isle of Monte Cristo to settle it, but Danglars refused. So whatever the quarrel was about, perhaps that's when Danglars dislike of Dantes started.

Later in Chapter 3, Danglars, Caderousse and Fernand, got together their sour feelings against Dantes festered. Their feelings apparently all from envy from his good fortune, becoming a Captain, which meant more income and the love of Mercedes.

I'm enjoying the book alot. Dumas seems to be very good with creating suspense. I'm into chapter 14 and so far I'm interested in the character of villefort. he seems very evil to me that he could condemn an innocent man,knowing in his gut that it's the wrong thing to do. it seems the themes of justice is big in here. Ironically Villefort is supposed to be justice.

I wish I had NOT seen the movie with Jim Caviezel as it really affects how I feel about the book. My parents lived in Malta for 5 years (where they did much of the filming) and that did help me picture Marseilles and Monte Cristo island, but still found myself predicting behaviors from the seeing the movie...sometimes happy when it differed and sometimes sad... I usually enjoy contrasting a movie to the original, but this time not so much...

Rhonda wrote: "I'm enjoying the book alot. Dumas seems to be very good with creating suspense. I'm into chapter 14 and so far I'm interested in the character of villefort. he seems very evil to me that he could c..."

Yes but Villefort has a lot to hide, as will be revealed later. He initially does move to release Dantes but then realises what has been going on. His wickedness is self preservation. It is was very tumulteous time politically.

I have wanted to read this book for many years but never quite got around to it. Looks like I shall have no excuse now.

Barbara wrote: "In Chapter I, when asked by Monsieur Morrel, Dantes replied that he and Danglars had a quarrel and he wanted to stop at the Isle of Monte Cristo to settle it, but Danglars refused. So whatever the..."

Barbara, I had the same thoughts. Jealously can be ugly, especially for men who seem to be lacking opportunities.

Finally finished this book!! I saw the movie years ago with Richard Chamberlain, it always remained one of my movie favourites but when I started reading I never imagined i was in for such an amazing literary ride. At times it was a bit difficult to keep track of characters and i tended to drift off in some of the preamble. Having said that though, I just loved the history and sense of place Dumas evoked. His discription of characters, costumes and scenery of landscape and luxurious lifestyles, gave a feeling of watching a lavish drama production or Opera. Reference to Painters, music and Operas are wonderful! I found myself researching all manner of things throughout the book. It was very romantic, as per the era it was written and so fanciful as to be unbelievable! But hey how we fantasize that life could some times be so. This is a great read!!!

Oops!!! Think i posted this in the wrong topic...don't think I have given anything away though!

Jean wrote: "Finally finished this book!! I saw the movie years ago with Richard Chamberlain, it always remained one of my movie favourites but when I started reading I never imagined i was in for such an amazi..."

I have finished the book too and felt as you did. His wonderful descriptions, really made the story so much more. Keeping the characters straight, who was related and the back and forth of time was confusing to me, so I had to back up a few times. It all came together towards the end and it was a very enjoyable read.

Barbara, glad you felt the same about this great book...it was definatly worth persevering with the complexity of the characters! I missed them when i had finished reading it. I will try some of his other books now!

I haven't read this for the group discussion as I just finished reading it last year. However, it is one of, if not my favorite book. It was a book that I didn't know if I wanted to start as it was such a huge book. But once I did, I couldn't put it down. And finally, when I finished, I wanted it to continue. I was hoping somehow the story was continued, but alas, it was not! Alexandre Dumas is an incredible story teller (read his 3 Musketeers series of books)
The original story of the Count was published in 18 parts in a Journal and became the talk of France. Can you imagine? It was probably like today, watching a popular TV show and each week, gathering around with friends and talking about it and wondering what was going to happen to the characters next.
It is without a doubt, a literary masterpiece!!!

Ann wrote: "I wish I had NOT seen the movie with Jim Caviezel as it really affects how I feel about the book. My parents lived in Malta for 5 years (where they did much of the filming) and that did help me pi..."

I was thinking of getting this movie. Is it worth it?

I think I'd watch it when it's on a free channel. The ending is very different.

I loved both the book and the movie very much. The book is one of my favorites. What intrigues me most about the book is how Dantes is so set on getting his revenge on each and every person who has wronged him, and he accomplishes this in some second hand round about way. Then in the end after all these people who have wronged him have suffered, and revenge has indeed been inflicted, Dantes decides it's better to let it all go. Forgiveness is better. Which indeed is true, but it's funny how he can let it all go after revenge has been inflicted. In the end Dantes gets everything he wished for except for Mercedes, and that was his own doing in my opinion. I have to say that I prefer the ending in the Jim Caviezel movie much better than the ending in the book. I even liked the fact that he had a son. I had a hard time picturing Dantes with this girl who he described as like a daughter (and old enough to be his daughter) in the book. Then again, a man did write this book so maybe it wasn't too far from the authors thoughts. Great story though...one of my very favorites.

“all the good which, with thirteen or fourteen millions of francs, a man could do in these days to his friends; and then Dantes' countenance became gloomy, for the oath of vengeance he had taken recurred to his memory, and he reflected how much ill, in these times, a man with thirteen or fourteen millions could do to his enemies.”

Excerpt From: Dumas, Alexandre. “The Count of Monte Cristo.” iBooks.


This passage occurs after Abbe Faria tells Dantes about the treasure. Abbé thinks about all of the good the money could do, but Dante only thinks about all of the revenge he "purchase". Very interesting to think about where the author will lead Dantes.

John wrote: "I haven't read this for the group discussion as I just finished reading it last year. However, it is one of, if not my favorite book. It was a book that I didn't know if I wanted to start as it w..."

Agreed. I have read this loads of times and I never tire of it. The book has had a profound influence on my reading and writing. Dantes gets his revenge, and deliciously too. He does help, he helps Morrell's daughter, he helps Haidee, he helps others. If they deserve it.

In the end he is at peace.

Ann wrote: "I think I'd watch it when it's on a free channel. The ending is very different."

Yes I didn't like that ending. I spent most of the time yelling "But that isn't what happened!"

I just wanted to say Thank You to everyone who voted for this book as the group read. It wasn't my choice and I almost skipped out because of the length but now I'm really enjoying it.

Wanda wrote: "I just wanted to say Thank You to everyone who voted for this book as the group read. It wasn't my choice and I almost skipped out because of the length but now I'm really enjoying it."

Wanda, you expressed my feelings about this book so very well. My thoughts about it before really looking at it were negative and seeing its size only made them worse. Now I am a fan and wish more people took the opportunity to love reading it. I hope that I've learned from this and won't dismiss books based on no actual experience of them from now on.

I really enjoyed how elaborate all of the plots for revenge were. He really went after what would hurt the person the most! I also love how patient he was.

I did have trouble keeping all the characters and all of Dante's aliases straight though! That's one of the things that made it so great for me though. The book was really well thought out and everything ended up falling into place. The good guys even ended up getting what they deserved! Great Book overall.

I see several people saying that they almost skipped the book because of the length and I absolutely understand that! Huge books can be so intimidating. I'm glad you gave it a shot though and are enjoying it. Some books seem, in my opinion, to be long for the sake of being a long book. This one is long because it is such an elaborate plot and takes place over such a long time period that in this case there is just no way to make it much shorter. Like some of you said, I guess you can't always judge a book by its cover, or its length! :)

I agree that it is difficult to keep all of Dantès aliases straight, and it must have been that much more difficult for those that first read when originally published in serial form, but I think that is part of the charm of the story. Just like the objects of Dantès revenge it is not always clear who we are dealing with. At least for me I think it helped keep a tension in the story, an edginess with all of the different mannerisms, modes, and personalities that Edmond Dantès portrays as he takes vengeance. It is long story but not needlessly so. I read it every few years just to keep it fresh and it never sours; A great book through and through.

The Count of Monte Cristo is my favorite classic. I remember ripping through it the first time I read it so long ago now, and I've read it again, and highly recommend it to everyone. I say: It's the very first suspense novel. And it reads like a current suspense novel. There have been so many other books that this novel has influenced: Jeffrey Archer's A Prisoner of Birth, and many more action books with "payback" as a central theme. Television shows too: Revenge.

Does anyone know if the Robin Buss translation is much better or different from the older 1846/Project Gutenberg version? I read the PG version, which I thoroughly enjoyed, but now I wonder if the newer translation would be even better.

I have just finished this book....and it was just awesome. Thank you all for nominating this book - I may not ever have read it if it weren't for this group. Next up - I am going to watch the screen adaptations...

I just did that Kimberly...I liked the last movie with Caveziel (sp?) better than the mini-series from France that was recent.

I have been thinking over the ending of this drama. MC gave the young lovers all of his property, but the entire community believed that Valentine was dead....how do you think her reincarnation was received? Also, I was surprised that MC didn't end up with Mercedes, but a much younger woman. I wanted them to get together, I wanted love to stand the test of time....but in end Mercedes is alone (as it seems she was throughout the entire book) and MC sails off into the sunset with a young bride. I'm biased, but I think a woman would have ended this great story a little differently.

When I first read the book I was originally struck by the same thing - I expected Dantes to end up with Mercedes. After the initial shock I was irritated by it - I figured she got the raw deal in the entire situation. Then, with age and subsequent readings I changed my mind on this. I started thinking how the years have clicked by in my own normal, comparatively dull life and how much I have changed in the twenty plus years since I first read Le Comte. Without any experiences on par with Dantes I would have nothing in common with my first love, nor anyone that I knew at twenty for that matter. Not only do people change, but I think Haydee enables something far more valuable than Mercedes - Haydee is a new start. She is a break from the life of Edmond Dantes and frees Monte Cristo to start anew without the constant reminder of his younger years. He may have learned to "wait and hope" and to put it all behind him but that doesn't mean he wants a reminder of what had happened. Just my two cents worth.

Very interesting comment, and believe there is much to be said about how life impacts us. I agree with you that time does change us from our "youthful fancies".....

MC was a changed man during his long stint in prison. I sure Mercedes changed as well while waiting for his return.

I look forwards to rereading as I age...to reflect on my initial thoughts.

Last comment- I read via my IPad and listened to the reading from Blackstone Audio, which was well read, dramatized, and helped with pronunciations. I really enjoyed the detail Dumas wove throughout the text. I was really sad once it ended.

I think to an extent he is punishing Mercedes for not waiting and for marrying the man she married. As someone said Haydee is a new start.

I can't remember if the son is his or not. I know what the film says but it escapes me as a while since I read it. I need to look at it again really.

I agree...Mercedes was the love of his life...maybe there should have been a sequel where they find each other just like in the movie

I found, at least in the beginning, that I was so sad and frustrated by how jealous and spiteful everyone was towards Dantes! He was doing well for himself, succeeding in the world, getting married, and Dangler ( as well as others) just seemed determined to ruin it for him. Dantes' naïveté did not help either. I just wanted to shake him and yell "Wake up!!" I have not finished it yet, but it really is a wonderfully written novel and I'm enjoying it very much!

I am about halfway through the Count. So far I am really enjoying all of the schemes for Danglers and the rest of those who came against Dante's. I cannot wait to find the outcome of everyone's fate. This is a very well written and intriguing book. I am loving every page!

I am half way through the book and three things confuse me.
1) When Franz and Albert are at the theatre with Countess G, Albert is talking to the countess and Franz was sitting behind the Countess G. After a while the Countess is discussing the count and she insists Franz escort her to her home as she did not want Franz to who this mysterious count was. But there is no mention of Albert, no mention of him removing himself.
2) When Albert introduces the count to his parents M De Morcerf and Madame De Morcerf, it is not obvious that she, Madam De Morcerf is his beloved Mercedes..i.e. Alberts mother. You only get a hint when he looks at the painting that is hung over Alberts bed
3) When Bertuccio is telling the Count about how he killed M de Villefort, was this senior or the magistrate (son) who the count encounters at Champs -Elysees

Still one of the best books I have come across

M wrote: "I am half way through the book and three things confuse me.
1) When Franz and Albert are at the theatre with Countess G, Albert is talking to the countess and Franz was sitting behind the Countess ..."
1) I don't think it is important to the story.
2) You have to keep reading. ;)
3) This confused me as well until later and I don't think I'm spoiling anything by telling you it is Magistrate de Villefort.

Tawni wrote: "M wrote: "I am half way through the book and three things confuse me.
1) When Franz and Albert are at the theatre with Countess G, Albert is talking to the countess and Franz was sitting behind the..."

Thanks for that