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The Count of Monte Cristo


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(1844-45)



This is a dangerously fabulous read. Telling others that this novel is your favourite can reveal a malevolent side of your personality. Genius plot writer, Alexander Dumas, constructed a story so evil, so clever, and so violent that future reads will just be boring. The sum of the book can be understood in three simple words..."Pede poena claudo", or "retribution comes limping." To seek justice for the three men who so selfishly stole 14 years of his life, Edmund Dantes uses deception to emotionally and financially destroy his foes. The Count of Monte Cristo operates very much like the Russian mafia; if a wrongful act is committed, the wrong-doer's entire family and fortune is extinguished before his or her very eyes.

The word "vengence" is nice compared to which Edmund Dantes reigns on his enemies. With the help of his former prison mate and a few pirates, Dantes uses his new found fortune to eradicate his opposers. To his surprise though, Dantes' ex-fiancée surfaces as the wife of the man who framed him. Complicating his plan, Edmund once again falls in love with Mercedes. However, despite his re-fueled feelings, Dantes continues to dismantle is foes like a child pulling the legs off of a spider. ~Submitted by Brian Fink

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On the 24 of February, 1815, a merchant vessel arrived in the harbor of Marseilles bearing a letter and a dead captain. The captain had instructed his first mate, Edmond Dantes, to deliver the letter to a man named Nortier de Villefort as a dying wish. Unfortunately, Edmond’s recent promotion to captain and engangement to a beautiful bride, Mercedes, has instilled a feeling of jealousy in the minds of his friends Fernand and Danglars. They write an anonymous note to the Chief Magistrate, Villefort, accusing Edmond of carrying a letter for an agent of the exiled Napoleon Bonaparte. Villefort discovers the letter is addressed to his own father and, despite Edmond’s innocence, sends him to the island prison, the Château d’If, where he will spend eternity. While in the dungeons of the lonely prison, Edmond meets and old dying priest who reveals a map of the legendary treasure of Spada in hopes of Edmond being able to escape and find the treasure. After the priest’s death, Edmond does escape and finds the treasure which he uses to create a new man, the Count of Monte Cristo. This man is different though: he is a man overcome with the desire to deliver justice to Fernand, Danglars, and Villefort--those who tore away his life so many years ago. ~Submitted by Sinbad the Sailor

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When this novel appeared for the first time between 1844 and 1846, it was instantly a huge success. The story speaks to the reader from the first page to the last and, although it consists of about 1600 pages, it never bores. A young ignorant sailor, Edmond Dantès, is sucked into the political games of the time just before the Hundred Days in the year 1815 that would bring back Napoleon. In prison, he discovers the truth and decides to take revenge on them. When he then finally discovers the treasure, he starts to prepare for the revenge he longed for all those years. The revenge is compelling, smart, admirably bad. Ironically the bad guys of 14 years before destroy their own lives because of the same characteristics they used to put Edmond in prison. In this book Dumas deals with very real feelings of people, addressing the treacherous circumstances people had to live in in France at the time of the revolution, but asks a very fundamental question as to justness. The book, ends on a high spiritual note. ~Submitted by kiki1982

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Recent Forum Posts on The Count of Monte Cristo

Monte Cristo tattoo

I have been trying to think of a suitable tattoo inspired by this book, any suggestions? Cristo's crest has been my first choice but I have not been able to find any visual representations of it. Is anyone aware of any illustrations of it?

Posted By soothsayer at Wed 26 Aug 2009, 12:36 PM in The Count of Monte Cristo || 2 Replies

Monte Cristo Mood and Tone

I am having a little trouble identifying the mood and tone of the book since it is so volatile, could anyone please help me out. Thank you.

Posted By Zildjion at Sun 5 Oct 2008, 11:35 AM in The Count of Monte Cristo || 2 Replies

PLease get back to me

Hey i've seen both versions of the movie, and i was thinking about reading the book. MY problem though is that i don't like to read a book unless it is an awesome or if the main people in the story don't end up together so my question is it good? And do they end up together or not?

Posted By Heavenly-angel- at Mon 29 Sep 2008, 1:33 AM in The Count of Monte Cristo || 1 Reply

help with Count of Monte Cristo

im doing a project on how in the count of monte cristo everything has a consequence. I was wondering if anyone could help me with a good example of this from the book I have a couple but im not sure if they are good enough. :)

Posted By xlilcurlyqx at Mon 17 Mar 2008, 4:59 PM in The Count of Monte Cristo || 10 Replies

if there was another movie based on the book, what actors would you pick?

first of all, when I say another movie, I mean to say - a really good movie that sticks to the plot. perhaps they would have to make 3 films, just like The Lord of the Rings, if they want to make a good movie. Now, as for the cast: Hugh Jackman as Monte Cristo (I know he's too old, but maybe they could hire a younger actor for the part before Edmond is imprisoned) Mercedes - Penelope Cruise Danglar (if this is how it's spelled) - Richard Roxburgh (Moulin Rouge) Albert - Josh Charles (Dead Poet's Society) now you, give me your ideas! :D

Posted By cherrytheone at Sun 27 Jan 2008, 2:37 PM in The Count of Monte Cristo || 9 Replies

If u were Count Of Montechristo,What will you do?

What will you do if you were count of montechristo? Take revenge?:flare: Enjoy the mony?:lol: Give money to helpers without revenge to villain?;)

Posted By sherfin.s at Tue 25 Dec 2007, 5:43 AM in The Count of Monte Cristo || 2 Replies

Question regarding The Count of Monte Cristo

I am trying to read The Count of Monte Cristo, but am having some trouble. The book I have, published by State Street Press, seems to have chapters missing (i.e. Chapter 4 - Conspiracy), as well as abridgments to existing chapters. Also, it is worded completely differently than various e-books I have. Yet no where in the book does it mention being a abridgment, nor does it mention who it has been translated by (My understanding is that the original was written in French). Click here to see the version of TCoMC I have. I am not sure if this type of link is permitted, I am just including it so the version I have can be seen. Here is an example of some of the changes. Printed, State Street Press copy, Chapter 11 - The Hundred Days, Paragraph 1... "Events followed one another very rapidly. Everyone knows the history of the famous return from Elba, a return which, unexampled as it was in the past, will probably remain unimitated in the future." E-book from ManyBooks.net, same reference, only it is Chapter 13 instead of Chapter 11, due to the printed version eliminating the chapter named "Conspiracy", a essential chapter in my estimation, and a second chapter named "Father and Son", where Nortier and Villefort discourse... "M. Noirtier was a true prophet, and things progressed rapidly, as he had predicted. Every one knows the history of the famous return from Elba, a return which was unprecedented in the past, and will probably remain without a counterpart in the future." Does anyone know why the printed SSP version seems to be so gimpy? Do I need to chuck this publication of the book and find another? Also, since my printed copy is obviously a diluted, abridged, version, does anyone know where I can get a full copy, with every word of every chapter?!?!

Posted By sonofaslan at Tue 30 Oct 2007, 8:08 PM in The Count of Monte Cristo || 2 Replies

Help! Count of Monte Cristo

My daughter needs to portray Haydee in class and needs to use 5 props. Any suggestions?

Posted By sk8ermom at Mon 10 Sep 2007, 6:28 PM in The Count of Monte Cristo || 9 Replies

2002 movie like book?

I saw 2 out of 3 hrs of the 2002 movie version of "The Count of Monte Cristo" and since I missed the end, I got the book to read. I was just wondering, is the book going to be anything like the movie I saw?

Posted By booklvr90 at Tue 21 Aug 2007, 7:37 AM in The Count of Monte Cristo || 12 Replies

To what extent do you think the Count was justified in his quest?

Please Help! :)

Posted By anh-thu at Sat 28 Jul 2007, 6:04 AM in The Count of Monte Cristo || 4 Replies

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