The Count of Monte Cristo

[Oskar von Reuental]

After some prodding (i.e. coercion + veiled threats) by a certain member of this forum, I decided to make this recommendation thread. Let's just call him Mister K to hide his identity. :P <3

Anyway, on to the book. This is a novel set in the Napoleonic era of France. Edmond Dantes is a sailor who has just been promoted to become the captain of his ship, and he is also about to marry his beautiful fiance, Mercedes. Needless to say, there are jealous individuals who seek to rob him of his happiness, and they conspire to get rid of him by framing him as a Bonapartist. During his betrothal feast, he is arrested and thrown into a prison reserved for the most dangerous political prisoners. He meets a father-figure/mentor in the prison, manages a miraculous escape, and is able to acquire untold riches from the isle known as Monte Cristo. The rest of the story revolves around his return to society and his carefully crafted revenge against those who plotted his downfall.

I suppose I loved the book for the obscene amount of drama, mystery, intrigue, and romantic elements it contained. Even if you're not drawn to the setting or the themes, I suggest you give it a shot.

For those who only watched the movie, trust me, it doesn't even begin to give the book justice. And for those who have read the book, feel free to post your comments and whatnot.

[Chamcham Trigger]

I've not only read it, but I saw the movie too....well some of the movie. I kinda didn't finish it because I was challenged to street fighter while watching it :S. I still prefered the three muskateers.

[jkingler]

I'm reading The Three Musketeers, and while I like it a lot, it lacks something that TCoMC has in spades--I don't know what that is, though. XD

I much prefer TCoMC. Maybe I'll be more eloquent about it when I get more sleep. :faint

[Oskar von Reuental]

I also liked The Three Musketeers, but it lacked...something. :oh

Good choice on the Street Fighter, Chamsy. XD I didn't like the movie that much.

/biased

[Chamcham Trigger]

lol you're really tempting me to say hatred, but I will resist :laugh.

I will say that the three muskateers was kinda lighter than TCoMC, but for some reason I found it's witty style more appealing to me.

[Oskar von Reuental]

XD

I didn't have "hatred" in mind at all, although that might actually be why I prefer TCoMC to the Three Musketeers. :oh

[Gunners]

Yeh, i have the book, in big size, im gonna read it when i have time it is large, i know the general story of it from the movie, but my ma tells me the book is better.

[Ruri]

The Count of Monte Cristo is one of my favorite books! :knk *<3's Tesz*

Actually, I don't understand how anyone could not love this masterpiece. It's one of the most exciting books I've ever read - just full of drama and adventure. Above all though, I love the Count. His character is one of the most real, yet original, I've come across. TCoMC is also full of great lines, my favorite being "Live, then, and be happy, beloved children of my heart, and never forget that until the day when God will deign to reveal the future to man, all human wisdom is contained in these two words,-'Wait and hope.'-" (actually, I love the entire letter he writes to Maximilian).

I really should finish The Knight of Maison Rouge. >.<

[mow]

God, The Count brings back such fond memories.

*love @ ruri <3*

[makeoutparadise2]

I love this Book

[TenshiOni]

Excellent book.

One of my favorites.

[Ruri]

God, The Count brings back such fond memories.

*love @ ruri <3*

There's no end to your awesomeness, moe. :glomp <3

[Bananna]

I loved this book when I was little. The Count is a classic emo hero. <3 Haven't seen the movie, though, it wasn't very highly reccomended...

[Dark Schneider]

I agree completely, one of my absolute favourite books! The movie was crap. The Dumas ( Father and Son) are brilliant writers. However I couldn't finish The Three Musketeers--way to "blah" if you ask me.

[thevassago]

When I read this book first time at 8th grade I think, this masterpiece become my favorite book. I love the plot, characters and revenge :). Like many of you I went to the movie with very high expectations but, movie is a failure imho. This topic made me to read it again :D.

[notcomawhite]

I still haven't gotten around to reading The Count of the Monte Cristo, I will someday, I've seen the movie, bought it, thought it was excellent. hmm..

yeah well I hope I get around to reading it soon

[makeoutparadise2]

Its very Acurate to the book

[Second-Hand Love]

I read that book. The one where he finds this treasure in a cliff or something. I read it long time ago so I don't remember anything right now. But I remember that it wasn't a bad book. I don't like mystery that much, so...

[tank!]

i love that story!! actually i never read the book, but i saw the 1975 movie with richard chamberlain/tony curtis heaps when i was a kid. the recent remake wasn't half as good.

but i love the plot, the whole revenge by numbers thing...ahhh [fond memories]

one of my fav quotes from the film:when the main character finally confronts his enemy and his enemy realises who the count is (ie. the guy he had sent to prison unjustly):

'What is your connection to this woman?'
'Ask first what is my connection to one named...Edmund Dantes.'

[Lo$tris]

*Pump*
OMG!! saying it is the best book I've ever read won't do this novel any just. Though it was a big book, I just felt that it was so short, I wanted more of the Count, Mercedes, Albert and everyone. Speaking of Mercedes, my heart broke for her, I can't believe a calm and serene woman like her ended up like this. I felt sorry for her and I believe if she was dead it would have been better for her. But at least the Count is happy....can't help but to love him. :love

[Lord Yu]

I've seen the movie and watched Gankutsuou. I'll eventually get around to reading it.

[The Sentry]

I watched the british movie. Gr8 book

[Lo$tris]

I've seen the movie and watched Gankutsuou. I'll eventually get around to reading it.

I'm watching Gankutsuou currently, the animation is unique and it has some nice twists, nevertheless the novel is far more superior. As for the movies, many people advised me to avoid them like plaque.

[Chai Tea]

One of my favorite books :love. Even though the book is long, I love the fact that there are so many different threads to follow with so many different characters.

While the ending was quite hollywoodish, except for Mercedes who I mourned for because she was a victim of circumstances more than any other character who suffered for nothing, I really like the fact that the Count was still human underneath all that desire for revenge.

A complex and entertaining book...makes me want to go to Marseilles :cry :cry

[FinalDragon13]

i watched the movie before reading it, and after seeing the movie i was sceptical, but the book was really good!

[Chai Tea]

And somehow it didn't drag on for me despite its length. :occa :occa

[Lo$tris]

One of my favorite books :love. Even though the book is long, I love the fact that there are so many different threads to follow with so many different characters.

While the ending was quite hollywoodish, except for Mercedes who I mourned for because she was a victim of circumstances more than any other character who suffered for nothing, I really like the fact that the Count was still human underneath all that desire for revenge.

A complex and entertaining book...makes me want to go to Marseilles :cry :cry

I agree with you about Mercedes :cry I cried my heart out in the last chapter she was with the count (Departure). I did not expect them to end up happily together but at least I wanted Mercedes to be happy.
As for the novel's length, I also agree, I felt it was so short despite the 1000+ pages.