The Count of Monte Cristo (Penguin Classics)

This book was such a joy to read. Its a classic for a reason! I absolutely love 19th century literature. So this has been on my list of books to read for years. I wasn't sure what I was getting into since I didn't know much about the story going in but i was blown away. I think I read this in record time it was that good. I was sad when it ended. The story telling is fantastic. Such a great tale of revenge and seeing terrible people get their karma.

Who wouldn't want to be The Count of Monte Cristo? A god-like creature, master of disguise, wealth beyond the dreams of avarice, extremely handsome, expert marksman, expert swordsman, philosopher, apothecary, highly moral, (carrying out God's work of vengeance, not his own) unimpeachable manners, speaks many languages, can quote both Roman and Greek mythology and philosophers from Cicero to Plato, in fact is an expert on every subject under the sun, never lies and is never wrong. (p.1027) A perfect human being who loves young girls in a fatherly way, kisses his slave on her forehead, acted as guardian angel to 17 year old Valentine and go-between for her and her fiancé. I would not want to see the film of this book, no earthly creature could match up to the mysterious, romantic, mythical figure of The Count of Monte Cristo. Imagination is far far better. This wonderful man takes on all the various shapes and forms of his different disguises, he is so clever it takes your breath away. Oh, if only we could get away with that! Oh, if only we had half his skill to get back at our enemies the way he did. It makes one's mouth water to think of it. Delicious! Men are turned on by this book because it is full of adventure, the ultimate "Boy's Own" story. Women are turned on by it not only because it is thrilling but because it speaks to the fairy tale longing, (Cinderella) of finding the perfect man..... He doesn't exist girls and boys, sad to say, it is just a fantasy. In the beginning, even though far fetched, (the escape from jail, the treasure) one goes along for the ride, but towards the end of the book Dumas gets a bit carried away. The fantasy good as it is becomes a bit hard to sustain, the magic cure-all drops, the murderous step-mother nobody suspects, the crippled grandfather blinking in Morse code, and then of course the almost Shakespearean ending of the star crossed lovers. All stretching the imagination to the limit, but loving it being stretched, and rejoicing in the thrilling ride. I enjoyed the book enormously and found it almost impossible to put down for all the same reasons everyone else did. It is so well written and the pace never stops. I particularly enjoyed the scene described when Albert and Franz came to watch the carnival with Monte Cristo and Franz asked The Count if he could obtain a window overlooking the Piazza del Popolo where there were to be two executions at the start of the festivities. The coolness with which Monte Cristo explains that the program has been changed, in a "tone of voice" Dumas says, "as though he were reading the personal column." (p.383). "Hum! The first will be mazzolato, the second decapitato. Yes, this is what was originally intended, but I think that since yesterday there has been a change in the order and conduct of the ceremony. .......they were speaking of some kind of stay of execution to one of the two men...... That means you will be denied a guillotining but you still have the mazzolata, which is a very curious form of torture when you see it for the first time - or even the second; while the other, which in any case you know, is too simple, too unvaried. There is nothing unexpected in it. ..... Ah come now, don't talk to me about Europeans where torture is concerned. They understand nothing about it. With them, cruelty is in its infancy - or perhaps its old age." You can imagine this man with a sword in his hand, never flinching, nerves of steel! Read it to escape, it's a ticket to a magic carpet ride. Be a little like Monsieur le Comte himself when he said "....chaque fois que je souhait je peux me séparer du reste du monde" " ....whenever I wish I can separate myself from the rest of the world." (p.314). Worth every one of its five stars. Another favorite book of mine which will certainly be read at least two or three times more whenever I feel like floating away...

I started reading "The Count of Monte Cristo" with zero expectations going in. Prior to me picking up the book, I had never heard of it. I only found it thanks to a random Google search that yielded the main character's Wikipedia page, which then prompted me to pick up this novel out of curiosity. My only regret is not reading this book sooner. This book has *everything* - realistic and memorable characters who will stick with you long after the last chapter; a riveting plot with multiple twists, turns, and subplots that all somehow weave nicely; compelling prose that'll make you want to read just one more page, and then just one more page, and then another; and a profound message for all to ponder. I first read the abridged version, which was either 67 or 71 chapters long (can't remember which), and I managed to finish the book in three days. After that, I read this unabridged edition, which I finished in less than a week. I also have an unabridged public-domain edition on my iPhone, which I've yet to finish rereading. Yes, it is that good. It's so good that despite its sheer length (117 chapters for the unabridged version!) I've not only blazed through it in mere days, but returned to it to relive the joy, pain, and rollercoaster of other emotions I experienced. If you haven't yet, do yourself a favor and read this unabridged version of "The Count of Monte Cristo" from start to finish. All of it. You will thank yourself for doing so, or lambast yourself for not picking it up sooner

Wonderful book and great translation

I remember loving the movie in high school and vaguely thinking about reading the book but being intimidated by the page count. My edition was just shy of 1250 pages, so I set out a plan to read 50 pages per day to make sure I didn’t get overwhelmed. I needed that resolution in the beginning, as the book is a slow starter in setting up the story of Edmond Dantes, a young sailor who is on the verge of a good life: he’s about to be made captain of a ship and wed his beautiful fiancee, Mercedes. He is betrayed by rivals and sent to prison for the sake of a lawyer’s ambition, being consigned to a dungeon in the dreaded Chateau d’If. There he meets an Italian priest, Abbe Faria, who gives him a broad classical education and tells him the location of an enormous secret treasure. When Dantes escapes and recovers the bounty, he remakes himself as an aristocrat, the Count of Monte Cristo, and sets about destroying his enemies. There are so many characters and plot elements in this book (it was, after all, originally published as a serial) that it doesn’t drag, per se, but the main narrative takes a while to really pick up steam. I found that the last third or so of the book was the most enjoyable for me, as the various lines of dominoes finally start falling and create some real momentum. There’s something for everyone here: a tale of adventure and revenge, stories about families both warmly connected and coldly alienated, young couples falling in love, human frailty, hope, philosophical musings about the nature of happiness. It’s very long and the interest level it’s able to sustain waxes and wanes, but in the end I enjoyed it!

Excelente edición, estan a un precio razonable y las portadas son muy lindas

The book is well wrapped, the printing is very clear. Can’t wait to read it !

I just got it, I am super excited to read it and the quality of the book is good overall.

Half way through the book and I am thoroughly enjoying it.

Excellent book with many good notes and commentaries. Thanks a lot for making it accessible to everyone.