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[Unregistered]

This novel is, indeed, not solely about revenge. <br> There was a goodness in Dantes, apparent to even de Villefort that left him vulnerable when he was a young man. However, this same naivete and vulnerability left the heart of Dantes open to human feeling even when he planned his darkest deeds. Often Dantes is overcome with emotion and nearly incapable of dissembling before his old enemies. <br>

[Unregistered]

It is, of course, ironic that the very naivete and innate goodness of Edmund Dantes which leave him susceptible to betrayal also are his redemption. For, in his dark plans of revenge often enter the children of corrupt parents, whom he must love. <br> These children are the lambs that sometimes are sacrificed and other times saved. Dantes' old nature presides when he encounters the innocent offspring of his enemies. In them he perceives redemption. In them he perceives that good is yet existant.<br> With a compelling plot that interests many a reluctant reader, The Count of Monte Cristo is also a typically introspective French novel. Vive Alexandre Dumas!<br> I am a French teacher who has hitherto had my second term students read The Tale of Two Cities with its historical background of the French Revolution. For a switch, I purchased an old favorite of mine that, too, has disguised identities and characters with hidden pasts much like those characters of Charles Dickens. And, while Charles Darnay in The Tale of Two Cities finds redemption by sacrificing himself for the love of another, Edmund Dantes redeems himself by resurrecting some of the sterling qualities of that man who loved dearly his father, his fiancee, and his friends.<br> There is much to learn and much to enjoy in the reading of The Count of Monte Cristo.

[Unregistered]

i disagree, the count did let revenge consume him, that's what made him ruin the lives of his ennemies' children like Albert and Edouard. These are the innocent victims but the count follows through with it anyway because the revenge has consumed him.

[Unregistered]

I disagree with the latter reply and replier. The count did not let revenge consume him. Think about it, he did not have his hand mixed in any one of the families. What Dantes did was make each familiy hate the other. Because inside all the enemies wickedness lived, and Dantes only kindled that wickedness into a fire that destructed each in its turn. Villford went mad because of his own wife's wrechedness, and because of his rigidity to his post as King's attorney; whether maintaining the positoin required killing others or sending them to the Chataeu D'ff, did not matter to him. The elder Morcreft blew himself assunder because of his treachery for feinging Edmont into imprisonment as a Bonapartist agent. Edmont did nothing in revenge, rather revenge worked itself. All Edmont did was reveal himself to Morcreft and left him alone, reduced to destitution. Danglars was only destructed by Edmont's wisdom, as he only bought and sold banknotes. Edward and Albert, as you have mentioned, did become victims, but in the end Dantes repents; read the book again, it is said that the second time in reading will fill you in on all the uncertainties. And Cardrousse, last but not least, destructed himself, which I might add that Dantes gave him more that one chance to correct his mistakes in life. But Mr. Gaspard did not in any way sit content with his share, even when he obtained the expensive rock the Abbe Busoni (edmont) provided, and even when the Abbe, if I am correctly remembering it, rescued him from imprisonment....<br><br>Revenge is one thing, Edmont's act is another.<br><br>

[janet]

My daughter brought home the book for me to read. I got into it from the first page. I approached the end and realized there was something funny; the plot wasn't wrapping up. Oh, no, I found out that it was only Vol 1. I called my daughter and begged her to bring me the other volume from university. Meanwhile, I found your site and could keep reading while waiting for Volume II. <br><br>The best part of the book is realizing that it is not about revenge at all but about redemption and remarkable change in the heart of a man that did not let hatred and lust for revenge consume him. Every character remains distinct in my mind with prompting. I loved the intricate style of the interwoven plot. The new movie was good in itself but it was not...The Count of Monte Cristo.