Count of Monte Cristo, Alexandre Dumas

First published 1844

read in February 2023

fiction (classic)

rated 8/10: really quite good

I like to review before I get other people's opinions. but this time... 

while i was reading this book... and muttering about how very long it is... my wife went to a popular book review site.

The longest book I've ever read, says one review. honest but pointless.

describes the joy of revenge, says another.

joy?! that's what you get when a reviewer had not bothered to read the book.

The Count discovers that revenge, in a modern idiom, is like a shotgun. aim at one person and you are likely to injure many others.

there is revenge. there is also reward. then there is some restitution for unintended damage. it's a complex book.

is an enjoyable book but hard to follow. so many characters. identified sometimes by name, sometimes by title. plus a dependence on facts and ideas that were well known when the book was written.

First, i read up on popes and French Kings... not exactly the good, old days.

half way through the book i checked Wikipedia. it has an excellent plot summary, i was able to get a clearer idea of who was who, the rest of my reading was a lot easier.

the actions and knowledge of the Count verge on fantasy, barely believable. though the underlying idea is still valid. Someone with infinite money can do and control whatever they want.

then the ending... no surprises, the final reward is clearly signalled.

but it seems to be a bit rushed. as though the author just wanted to be done with it.

and then... are the last words a hint that he plans to write, Count 2?

give yourself time. take early notes of characters. settle down for a good, long, enjoyable read.