EVERYONE Has Read This but Me - The Catch-Up Book Club discussion

Just bought the audiobook narrated by Bill Homewood. I always find myself extremely behind in this group, but I'm looking forward to listening as soon as a finish Anna Karenina. Having a quarterly read was a great idea.

I have the Homewood-narrated audiobook and he's quite good. I've started this book at least three times without finishing it, mostly because I got confused by what was happening during the latter half.

I've started the book again and have just finished Chapter 12. I must say that on this re-read, I have caught a lot of details and ironic foreshadowing that I missed the first time(s).

Looking forward to others' comments.

FYI If you are looking to read about the person who was almost certainly the inspiration for the Count of Monte Cristo and in all events,Alexandre Dumas' Father:
The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, and the Real Count of Monte Cristo
most certainly real life swash bucking, and an ex slave and well it is a good read

This book has been on my to read list for quite some time so I am glad that it was chosen as the Quarterly read. My interest was rekindled after it was the book Teresa Mendoza (from La Reina del Sur) read while in prison.

This is a favorite of mine. I remember thinking it was so exciting. I believe it was written as a serial, so it was released chapter by chapter, so each chapter has a hook to keep you reading.

Note there are also free versions of this available online:

Audiobook: https://librivox.org/the-count-of-mon...

eBook: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1184

I just finished the audiobook version today. Rated it 4 stars. Here is a non spoiler discussion and a hint if you listen versus read.

Hint: If you listen to this as an audiobook, I would suggest using the Wikipedia website to look at all the connections and names (great chart) used because it dramatically helped to understand who was talking and what was going on during the middle of the book. Dumas uses several alias and titles for each person and the chart made the book much more enjoyable.

This was a long book that I would break into 3 parts:
Part 1 – Angst– this part was actually my favorite because it was easy to follow and a great story. It’s rare that the first part of a book draws you in so quickly.
Part 2 – Intrigue – this part was definitely not my favorite and was extremely hard to follow. If I hadn’t given in and went to Wikipedia for the chart, it would have been much worse.
Part 3 – Wrap up – this was pretty good but fairly predictable and kind of sad.

Overall, I'm very glad I read this. It gave great insight into the historical time period as well as how much they relied on honor and respect.

Thanks for the free links Joanna.

I'm so excited that this got picked as our first quarterly read. It's an immense book, and I'm only talking literally at the moment!

Phrodrick, thanks for pointing out and recommending the inspiration behind the tale.

Phrodrick wrote: "FYI If you are looking to read about the person who was almost certainly the inspiration for the Count of Monte Cristo and in all events,Alexandre Dumas' Father:
[book:The Black Count: Glory, Revol..."

Awesome. Thanks for the tip.

I'm super excited in joining everyone in reading this book, but a little scared of the size! A 1k page book took me 6 months, so this will be quite the feat!

I picked it up from the library. It’s a beast!! I’m excited. Also a little intimidated. Phew!

This is my favorite book of all time. If you haven’t started yet and are debating between several translations, get the one by Robin Buss. It is spectacular!!!!

Also, I just want to give a nugget of encouragement for people who think the size is intimidating. This book was not originally published as a book of the size it is now. It was published as a serial in a magazine. In other words, this was the tv show of its day. They were given a few chapters, and then those chapters ended on a cliffhanger. So they ABSOLUTELY HAD to tune in next week to read more. People were begging on the street corners for those next few chapters. Publication of this huge book was stretched out over a very long time. So, you will get an amazing cliffhanger about every 4-5 chapters or so, and that will keep you hooked.

It’s kinda like binge watching Grey’s Anatomy. You’ll be a convert within a few chapters, but you will never be sure where you need to stop and get some sleep because the chapters keep ending on cliffhangers.

Paula W wrote: "Also, I just want to give a nugget of encouragement for people who think the size is intimidating. This book was not originally published as a book of the size it is now. It was published as a seri..."

Just wanna follow up on Paula's encouragement. I have read it twice and never remember it as being long. This is not esp deep such that you need to be up on Freud or be an A student of philosophy.

It is an adventure story with some high romance. So more of a go with the flow kinda read.

For The Count has anyone a suggested translation of the unabridged version?

Is there a schedule anyone is following in reading this book? I tend to read more non-fiction but would love to find a good fiction book to read on the side.

I don’t think I will get the audiobook before this quater is over. 🙁

Vincent wrote: "For The Count has anyone a suggested translation of the unabridged version?"

The Robin Buss translation is fantastic.

Wow. The book was not on the to-read list but it sounded interesting so I am seriously tempted to give it a read after I finish Little Women, which I am currently reading.

I just had a Monte Cristo sandwich for the first time. I wonder if the name of this sandwich had any relation to this book. 🤔

Joseph, I love nonfiction too so I am trying to read 2 chapters a day of Monte but that is hard because I want to read more as it is so good. Plus I am reading Little Women and several nonfiction as well as listening to nonfiction. Good thing I don’t care about TV! Ha

Paula W wrote: "Also, I just want to give a nugget of encouragement for people who think the size is intimidating. This book was not originally published as a book of the size it is now. It was published as a seri..."

Thanks for the advice, Paula. I was surprised by the size of the book at first.

I will start the reading this weekend. See you all on the spoiler thread!

I'm considering trying this book in French, but afraid that's just too ambitious and will put me off reading. Thank you, Dawn, for the warning as I might have attempted an audiobook but now I think I'll definitely go for a printed version!

Luiz Fernando wrote: "Paula W wrote: "Also, I just want to give a nugget of encouragement for people who think the size is intimidating. This book was not originally published as a book of the size it is now. It was pub..."

You’re very welcome!

I’m very excited to be reading this for the first time. I’m going back and forth between reading and listening to the Bill Homewood audiobook, which I really recommend so far. I have a hard time listening to audiobooks for fiction, but his performance adds a lot.

I am really enjoying reading this for the first time. I can hardly put it down! Great read.

I am glad to find a group that is reading this! I read Crime and Punishment last year which was great, but really missed out on discussions and wanting to talk to people about things. I have this and a bunch of classics on my TBR mountain because of the Great American Read and my crazy desire to read all of those books. 😂

I am curious, becahse maybe someone knows, but I got the Barnes and Noble version which I saw afrer the fact is actually abridged. Doss anyone know if I will miss out on important things? Or is it just typically abridged?

I'm really enjoying this! Also finding myself wanting to keep reading into the night.

This has been on my TBR forever.
If I ever finish David Copperfield, I'll jump in to this one.
I try not to tackle more than one big classic at a time.
But I could always make an exception......

I'd like to join in reading this, never seen it on Tv, although my whole family loves it. Just started Pride and Prejudice and Monte Cristo will be my side read. I've read only 2 chapters so far, but it is really an easy and entertaining read, which surprised me in a good way 🙂. Hopefully I'll be done with it by the quarter.

I have read this sometime in the past and remember loving it! I just got it off my bookshelf and am hoping to get started on it soon. I'm excited to refresh my memory and enjoy it again!

This is one of those books that I seemed to never get around to reading. When I saw its inclusion in this groups list I got a copy from my local library and began the journey. I could have used a flow chart to keep the character and their titles straight but aside from that I found it to be a very enjoyable book. So glad I finally read it.

I’m with you about the characters. I’m all wait I know that name!?! Who the heck is he!??

Enjoying it though. It’s surprisingly pacy for such a long book.

I bought this book couple of years ago but i never had the courage to start.
Thanks to the group, I started yesterday and I'm so happy to start, i hope i can finish also 😂.

Going to attempt the audiobook seeing as it’s so huge!

I am so enjoying this book! My first classic and a good choice! I think I would like to read other classics. Any recommendations?

I love this book but my favorite of Dumas is The Three Musketeers. it was the first I read by him. I loved comradery of the main chars.

Cindy wrote: "I am so enjoying this book! My first classic and a good choice! I think I would like to read other classics. Any recommendations?"

I too would like to read more classics.

I have Les Miserables from Victor Hugo on my bookshelf since ages, as well as One Thousand and One Nights.

I'd rather read them in this group, as we are doing with The Count of Monte Cristo.

Luiz Fernando, those would be great titles to nominate for the long quarterly reads!

This is the last month of us reading about the Count! Who else is still along for the ride or is thinking about picking it up soon?

It felt good to finally reach the halfway point this afternoon! I’m enjoying a few chapters at a time in between other books I’m reading, but I better step it up if I’m going to finish by the end of the month.

Being stuck at home, I decided to tackle THE COUNT. Coming late to the party, we'll see if I can finish it by month's end.

I’m just starting this audiobook, narrated by Bill Homewood. I finished Les Mis last quarter so one of these days/quarters I will be on the same schedule as you all. I am looking forward to this one, most of my favorite friends love it so it must be good!

Phrodrick wrote: "FYI If you are looking to read about the person who was almost certainly the inspiration for the Count of Monte Cristo and in all events,Alexandre Dumas' Father:
[book:The Black Count: Glory, Revol..."

An excellent book! It really was a great companion piece to Count of Monte Cristo.

When I read Count, I was impressed at how well it read. I really enjoyed it.

I'm still taking down of this behemoth of a book. beautiful story so far im only 31% I know i wont be able to start Les Mes which is okay because I have other books that i want to read.

I hear you Nelson, and there is no rush. The discussion can continue for as long as we want :)