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The Count of Monte Cristo
A tale of love and revenge in the post-Napoleonic era. Edmond Dantes, a nineteen-year-old sailor from Marseilles, is soon to be captain of his own ship and to marry his beloved, the beautiful Mercedes. But spiteful enemies provoke his arrest on his wedding day, and he is condemned to life in prison. His sole companion is the 'crazy' priest Faria, who shares with Edmond a secret escape plan, and a map to hidden riches on the island of Monte Cristo. When Faria dies, Edmond attempts the incredible escape alone. finally he is free and rich beyond imagination after 14 years in prison. Keeping his true identity a secret, he enters society as Count of Monte Cristo, a polite, refined nobleman determined to reclaim his lost love, and to avenge his accusers. This is a story of suspense, intrigue, love and the triumph of good over evil.
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1844
About the author
Robin Waterfield
115 books736 followersRobin Anthony Herschel Waterfield is a British classical scholar, translator, editor, and writer of children's fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
September 1, 2018
Although this abridged version did not hold the same intensity of the original, it was nonetheless still enjoyable.
And yes, it is still the best revenge story ever written!!
And yes, it is still the best revenge story ever written!!
May 3, 2018
Just the business. Mindblowing stuff. Awesomely complex, wonderful range of characters with very few caricatures. The quality of the writing is awesome and elevates even the melodrama to make this a novel about the human condition. Also notable for an early example of a clearly L(GBT) relationship between Eugenie and Louise. And this book is funny too, full of sarcasm and satire. It just has everything.
December 5, 2015
Really enjoyed this book, I can see why it's a classic. It's a surprising tale of how young man (Edmond Dantes) who was on the brink of having it all, was cruely robbed of everything and unjustly imprisioned. Then makes a fantastic comeback to get his revenge. It was cleverly imagined and executed by the author. Things don't go the way you'd think. I'd be interested to read more by him.
August 26, 2022
This was a really good and exciting read, but I definitely think I missed out on a lot reading the abridged version. I will one day commit to the full version!!! Dumas's plotting is AMAZING and he makes you root for all of the characters, especially Dantes! There was a lot of adventure and action in this tale so I bet the full version doesn't have a boring page in it!
May 23, 2023
3.5 stars
Read for book club. Full review to come!
Read for book club. Full review to come!
March 6, 2024
I have had this book lurking on my bookshelf for years and I've made an attempt or two at actually reading it, but have never made it all the way through- at least until now. It is, I will confess, an abridged version, which some purists may have an issue with, but I didn't.
The story begins with Edmond Dantes who is returning to the port of Marseilles after being at sea and his future is looking very bright indeed He is on the verge of becoming the master of his own ship. He has a young lady that he loves (Mercedes the Catalan) who accepts his offer of marriage. Good fortune, stable finances, and a prosperous life seem to be ahead of him.
However, not everyone is happy with Edmond Dantes. His crewmate, Danglars wants the job that Dantes is on the verge of getting. He's also got a rival for the affections of Mercedes: Fernand Mondego. Together, they plot to undo him and in this, they are helped by an unusual fact. On the way back home, at the behest of the Captain (now deceased)- they stop at Elba, where Napoleon is in exile and Dantes delivers him a letter and doesn't think anything of it. (This is before Napoleon returns from exile to launch the 100 Days.) But Danglars and Mondego decide to hatch a plot to accuse him of being a Bonapartist-- another crewmate, Caderousse is aware of the plot but says nothing to stop it.
Dantes is arrested and the whole thing seems to be a big mistake-- but the local Crown Prosecutor, Villefort reads the letter that Dantes picked up on Elba and, realizes that his own career would be destroyed if it became known that his father was a Bonapartist, destroys the evidence. Dantes is found guilty and sentenced to imprisonment in the infamous prison on the Isle of the Chateau d'If.
Six years into his solitary confinement, Dantes is on the verge of suicide when he meets another prisoner, the Abbe Faria, an Italian priest, who has been trying to dig an escape tunnel and ends up in Dantes' cell instead. Faria asks why Dantes is in prison and when Dantes tells his story, Faria guesses the truth. The two become friends and over the next few years, Dantes is educated in language, history, culture and all kinds of math and science. Knowing that he's close to death, Faria tells Dantes about a huge treasure on the island of Monte Cristo.
Despite his best efforts, Faria succumbs to catalepsy and dies. Dantes takes Faria's body back to his cell and takes his place in the burial bag and is thrown into the sea where, after cutting his way out of the sack, he makes his way back to land where he secures the treasure of Monte Cristo, the title of the Count of Monte Cristo and starts planning his revenge.
Danglars, Mondego and Villefort are his three main targets and first, he disguises himself as the Abbe Busoni and returns to Marseilles to look for information. Caderousse is still around and regrets not speaking up for Dantes, but lets him know that Mercedes did marry Fernand Mondego, his father died of hunger, despite the best efforts of his former employer, Morrell who is now on the verge of bankruptcy.
(Here's where the abridged of it all comes into play-- because there's a few more details when you check the wiki-summary of this book that I didn't get when I read the actual book, so I'm going to try and focus on what I actually read.)
In short, Dantes helps out Caderousse and Morrell since especially the latter has done right by him or tried to, anyway. He gets himself to Paris and in short order ruins Mondego and after Mercedes reveals that she knows who he is, manages to extricate himself from a duel with her son.
Morrel's son, Maximilian is in love with Villefort's daughter, but unfortunately, her mother is busy poisoning people and eventually, despite the count's best efforts, it appears that Valentine, the daughter succumbs to the poison. Villefort accuses the mother of being the poisoner and makes the mistake of leaving her alone with her child Eduard and she poisons the little boy and herself-- this is the event that brings Dantes up short. He cannot save the child, however much he tries and Villefort is driven insane with grief at the death of his son. Dantes seriously questions his revenge at this point but after ruining Danglars, he convinces Maxmilian to come to Marseille with him.
There, Mercedes finds a strongbox he had buried years before and gets some money for her and her son, now estranged from the disgraced Mondego. Eventually, Maximilian arrives at Monte Cristo where he is reunited with Valentine, whom the Count had successful healed from her poisoning. He departs with Haydee, who provided testimony that disgraced Mondego to the East and leaves a note telling the young people to 'wait and hope.'
Overall, I guess the question I'm left with about this book is this: how much of a purist am I? Am I going to go back and get the complete version of this book and read it to compare and contrast?
Maybe? I don't think I'm especially motivated to run out and grab a complete unabridged copy right this second, but I'm definitely open to the idea. The abridged version was an easy read-- when I say this book has been on my shelf for years, it's probably closer to a couple of decades and I probably got this for a birthday or Christmas when I was a kid, because that's the audience it's aimed it-- just based on the language and syntax it uses. But it was an easy read.
I hesitate to say that this was the progenitor of the 'revenge novel' either. Technically, Les Miserables could lay claim to that title and there's elements of literature as far back as Homer that play with some of the same themes. But you have to this book it's flowers as well: it echoes into the present day. There's a touch of Batman about this, the way Dantes is hell bent on revenge and his mysterious past and multiple identities. Revenge is an idea that's been around as long as humans have, but Dumas examination of the idea might be amongst the most evocative. Wrongful imprisonment, losing everything, getting out and getting the means to take revenge on those who have wronged you? At it's most basic, you can take those elements and drop them into any time period or geographic setting you can think of and still have a damn good story. That's rare. That's worth acknowledging and that is what makes this- even an abridged version- a damn good story. My Grade: **** out of ****
The story begins with Edmond Dantes who is returning to the port of Marseilles after being at sea and his future is looking very bright indeed He is on the verge of becoming the master of his own ship. He has a young lady that he loves (Mercedes the Catalan) who accepts his offer of marriage. Good fortune, stable finances, and a prosperous life seem to be ahead of him.
However, not everyone is happy with Edmond Dantes. His crewmate, Danglars wants the job that Dantes is on the verge of getting. He's also got a rival for the affections of Mercedes: Fernand Mondego. Together, they plot to undo him and in this, they are helped by an unusual fact. On the way back home, at the behest of the Captain (now deceased)- they stop at Elba, where Napoleon is in exile and Dantes delivers him a letter and doesn't think anything of it. (This is before Napoleon returns from exile to launch the 100 Days.) But Danglars and Mondego decide to hatch a plot to accuse him of being a Bonapartist-- another crewmate, Caderousse is aware of the plot but says nothing to stop it.
Dantes is arrested and the whole thing seems to be a big mistake-- but the local Crown Prosecutor, Villefort reads the letter that Dantes picked up on Elba and, realizes that his own career would be destroyed if it became known that his father was a Bonapartist, destroys the evidence. Dantes is found guilty and sentenced to imprisonment in the infamous prison on the Isle of the Chateau d'If.
Six years into his solitary confinement, Dantes is on the verge of suicide when he meets another prisoner, the Abbe Faria, an Italian priest, who has been trying to dig an escape tunnel and ends up in Dantes' cell instead. Faria asks why Dantes is in prison and when Dantes tells his story, Faria guesses the truth. The two become friends and over the next few years, Dantes is educated in language, history, culture and all kinds of math and science. Knowing that he's close to death, Faria tells Dantes about a huge treasure on the island of Monte Cristo.
Despite his best efforts, Faria succumbs to catalepsy and dies. Dantes takes Faria's body back to his cell and takes his place in the burial bag and is thrown into the sea where, after cutting his way out of the sack, he makes his way back to land where he secures the treasure of Monte Cristo, the title of the Count of Monte Cristo and starts planning his revenge.
Danglars, Mondego and Villefort are his three main targets and first, he disguises himself as the Abbe Busoni and returns to Marseilles to look for information. Caderousse is still around and regrets not speaking up for Dantes, but lets him know that Mercedes did marry Fernand Mondego, his father died of hunger, despite the best efforts of his former employer, Morrell who is now on the verge of bankruptcy.
(Here's where the abridged of it all comes into play-- because there's a few more details when you check the wiki-summary of this book that I didn't get when I read the actual book, so I'm going to try and focus on what I actually read.)
In short, Dantes helps out Caderousse and Morrell since especially the latter has done right by him or tried to, anyway. He gets himself to Paris and in short order ruins Mondego and after Mercedes reveals that she knows who he is, manages to extricate himself from a duel with her son.
Morrel's son, Maximilian is in love with Villefort's daughter, but unfortunately, her mother is busy poisoning people and eventually, despite the count's best efforts, it appears that Valentine, the daughter succumbs to the poison. Villefort accuses the mother of being the poisoner and makes the mistake of leaving her alone with her child Eduard and she poisons the little boy and herself-- this is the event that brings Dantes up short. He cannot save the child, however much he tries and Villefort is driven insane with grief at the death of his son. Dantes seriously questions his revenge at this point but after ruining Danglars, he convinces Maxmilian to come to Marseille with him.
There, Mercedes finds a strongbox he had buried years before and gets some money for her and her son, now estranged from the disgraced Mondego. Eventually, Maximilian arrives at Monte Cristo where he is reunited with Valentine, whom the Count had successful healed from her poisoning. He departs with Haydee, who provided testimony that disgraced Mondego to the East and leaves a note telling the young people to 'wait and hope.'
Overall, I guess the question I'm left with about this book is this: how much of a purist am I? Am I going to go back and get the complete version of this book and read it to compare and contrast?
Maybe? I don't think I'm especially motivated to run out and grab a complete unabridged copy right this second, but I'm definitely open to the idea. The abridged version was an easy read-- when I say this book has been on my shelf for years, it's probably closer to a couple of decades and I probably got this for a birthday or Christmas when I was a kid, because that's the audience it's aimed it-- just based on the language and syntax it uses. But it was an easy read.
I hesitate to say that this was the progenitor of the 'revenge novel' either. Technically, Les Miserables could lay claim to that title and there's elements of literature as far back as Homer that play with some of the same themes. But you have to this book it's flowers as well: it echoes into the present day. There's a touch of Batman about this, the way Dantes is hell bent on revenge and his mysterious past and multiple identities. Revenge is an idea that's been around as long as humans have, but Dumas examination of the idea might be amongst the most evocative. Wrongful imprisonment, losing everything, getting out and getting the means to take revenge on those who have wronged you? At it's most basic, you can take those elements and drop them into any time period or geographic setting you can think of and still have a damn good story. That's rare. That's worth acknowledging and that is what makes this- even an abridged version- a damn good story. My Grade: **** out of ****
October 29, 2010
I absolutly loved this book! It all starts when a nineteen year-old sailor named Edmond Dantes comes on shore, with the terrible news that the Captin has died. Monsieur Morrel, the owner of the ship, impressed by Dantes performance of being a temporary captin; that he decides that he should be the new captin of the Pharaon. While this was happening, one of Dantes fellow shipmates Baron Danglers got jealous hoping that he could be Captin. He tries to convice Monsieur Morrel otherwise, but Morrel trusted Dantes. However, before Dantes took the job, he found it best that he should go visit his father and his belovid fiance Mercedes. Meanwhile Danglers met up with Fernand Mondego who has been madly inlove with his cousin Mercedes. They then created a plan to take Dantes out for their own greedyness. Then while Mercedes and Dantes were having their Betrothal Feast Dantes was arrested while Danglars offered to be captin until Dantes came back. He then was taken to Gerard de Villefort where he found out that Villeforts dad was a Bonapartist. Villefort did not want this to get out so he sent Dantes to Chateau D’if.
The First 6 years that Dantes was in prison, he became very close to God. Not only that he also got very depressed and lonely, he didn’t know what he did to get in there. He had gotten so depressed that he was trying to starve himself, but one day before it was too late he heard some scratching on the wall. He comes to find out, that there is an old man on the other side, who was hoping to escape. Dantes got to know him very well. His name is Abbe Faria, and he was a priest before he was arrested. Abbe also helped Dantes to realize how he had gotten into prison. This had brought revenge to Dantes’ heart. For the next two years, Abbe taught Dantes all he knew. During this they were planing another way to escape, but days before the big day, Abbe becomes paralized in one of his arms and legs. Now that they cannot escape, Abbe decides to tell Dantes about a family treasure hidden at island of Monte Cristo. He convinces Dantes that the story is true and makes him memorize the map how to get to it. A few days later, another attack falls on Abbe and he passes away. This gives Dantes a brilliant idea to escape. First, he puts Abbe in his room while he stays in the sack where they had previously put Abbe. Then once they burry him he will dig himself out, but the next thing he knows theirs a cannon ball around his feet , he is falling through the air and hits the water. He barley escapes and starts swimming, and he decided that he will keep going until he dies.
Dantes washes up on the Isle of Tiboulen where he finds a ship full of men. They are suspicious of his shaggy hair and he tells them that it was a religious pledge made to god in times of danger. They believed him and offered him to be part of their crew. He slowly gets them to trust him and he convinces the captin to use the Island of Monte Cristo as a site for an “illegal transaction”. Once on the Island he pretends to get hurt and tells them to leave for a week. While they had left, he searched the Island and found out that the treasure is a lot more then he had ever imagined. He took a few Jewls with him so he can sell them and buy a boat. He then starts a crew with just him and his best friend Jacopo. Jacopo goes to Marseilles and find out what has happened to his father and Mercedes. Then when Jacopo comes back he reveles that Dantes’father had passed away and Mercedes had dissapeared.
This is just the beginning, but to see what Dantes does to everyone who has loved and wronged him you have to read the book for yourself.
The First 6 years that Dantes was in prison, he became very close to God. Not only that he also got very depressed and lonely, he didn’t know what he did to get in there. He had gotten so depressed that he was trying to starve himself, but one day before it was too late he heard some scratching on the wall. He comes to find out, that there is an old man on the other side, who was hoping to escape. Dantes got to know him very well. His name is Abbe Faria, and he was a priest before he was arrested. Abbe also helped Dantes to realize how he had gotten into prison. This had brought revenge to Dantes’ heart. For the next two years, Abbe taught Dantes all he knew. During this they were planing another way to escape, but days before the big day, Abbe becomes paralized in one of his arms and legs. Now that they cannot escape, Abbe decides to tell Dantes about a family treasure hidden at island of Monte Cristo. He convinces Dantes that the story is true and makes him memorize the map how to get to it. A few days later, another attack falls on Abbe and he passes away. This gives Dantes a brilliant idea to escape. First, he puts Abbe in his room while he stays in the sack where they had previously put Abbe. Then once they burry him he will dig himself out, but the next thing he knows theirs a cannon ball around his feet , he is falling through the air and hits the water. He barley escapes and starts swimming, and he decided that he will keep going until he dies.
Dantes washes up on the Isle of Tiboulen where he finds a ship full of men. They are suspicious of his shaggy hair and he tells them that it was a religious pledge made to god in times of danger. They believed him and offered him to be part of their crew. He slowly gets them to trust him and he convinces the captin to use the Island of Monte Cristo as a site for an “illegal transaction”. Once on the Island he pretends to get hurt and tells them to leave for a week. While they had left, he searched the Island and found out that the treasure is a lot more then he had ever imagined. He took a few Jewls with him so he can sell them and buy a boat. He then starts a crew with just him and his best friend Jacopo. Jacopo goes to Marseilles and find out what has happened to his father and Mercedes. Then when Jacopo comes back he reveles that Dantes’father had passed away and Mercedes had dissapeared.
This is just the beginning, but to see what Dantes does to everyone who has loved and wronged him you have to read the book for yourself.
April 5, 2022
It almost feels blasphemous to admit this, but after reading this book I can't deny it any longer...
I'm just not that into Dumas.
I had not expected this. I like all the film and the television adaptations of his stories, so I was very keen on reading him, but every time I put down one of his books I can't help feeling somewhat disappointed. I find the storylines too convoluted, as are the sentences, and there is so much coincidence and melodrama used... Like there is always someone accidentally hiding behind a cupboard and therefore conveniently overhearing this or that which is important for the rest of the plot, there is always a lady swooning or having cheeks flushed with the fever of emotion, etc etc...
In the epilogue, I read that Dumas actually didn't personally write a lot of his own texts, but employed another writer by the name of Maquet to do the bulk of the work. Maybe that's the reason why.
Sorry, but I have to be honest here. And thus, with pain in my heart, just three stars for this age-old masterpiece.
I'm just not that into Dumas.
I had not expected this. I like all the film and the television adaptations of his stories, so I was very keen on reading him, but every time I put down one of his books I can't help feeling somewhat disappointed. I find the storylines too convoluted, as are the sentences, and there is so much coincidence and melodrama used... Like there is always someone accidentally hiding behind a cupboard and therefore conveniently overhearing this or that which is important for the rest of the plot, there is always a lady swooning or having cheeks flushed with the fever of emotion, etc etc...
In the epilogue, I read that Dumas actually didn't personally write a lot of his own texts, but employed another writer by the name of Maquet to do the bulk of the work. Maybe that's the reason why.
Sorry, but I have to be honest here. And thus, with pain in my heart, just three stars for this age-old masterpiece.
December 28, 2024
Absolutely brilliant. It's a story I've always known having watched the film as a kid, but a lot of details have escaped me over the years.
Incredibly detailed, intricate story, and this was the abridged version!
Sure, a little farfetched at times, but it only adds to the magic and mystique of the Count.
Incredibly detailed, intricate story, and this was the abridged version!
Sure, a little farfetched at times, but it only adds to the magic and mystique of the Count.
July 27, 2023
|4.5 Stars| Ages 10+|
As always, better than the movie
As always, better than the movie
March 7, 2026
Certainly could come off a bit manipulative at times...with the hidden treasure early on (and all that business at the end). And in truth it was hard keeping track of all those French aristocratic types (with their countless titles). But a generally rip-roaring good read throughout, for all that.
August 27, 2011
I was watching the movie and realized something frightening... I have not read this book. Well, I ran to the library and grabbed this fantastic abridged version (the unabridged looked a bit daunting). This classic tale of betrayal and revenge was a page turner. I couldn't put it down! What I truly enjoyed was the life lessons about what it means to be a good friend and neighbor. Furthermore, it made me think how much the decisions we make affect other people.
Well, the main character of the book is Edmond Dantes. Edmond has it all: he is young, he has a father who loves him, he is about to made captain of his own ship, and he has a beautiful woman who loves him. However, all is ruined by a group of selfish men envious of Edmond's prosperity. Monsieur Danglars, Caderousse, and Fernand Mondego conspire together by framing Edmond for treason. Then, they get some help from Young M. de Villefort who sends Edmond to Chateau d'If.
Edmond is thrown into solitary confinement and quickly falls into a great despair. He makes a plan to commit suicide, but his attitude changes when he thinks he hears digging. Edmond decides that he is not going to give up on life. He begins digging and meets Abbe Faria. Abbe is a knowledgeable man who teaches Edmond in a variety of subjects and helps Edmond realize how his friends and acquaintances betrayed him. Edmond also learns of a fortune that Abbe has inherited. Abbe suffers from a condition that he feels will soon take his life, so he tells Edmond where it is and bequeaths it to him.
Edmond had originally planned to dig out of the prison, but when Abbe dies he has last minute idea. He puts Abbe's body in his cell and crawls into Abbe's body bag. He believes that the guards will bury him, but on the Chateau d'If dead bodies are thrown into the sea. Edmond escapes from the body bag and washes up on the land. He finds the fortune that Abbe has left him and changes his name to the Count of Monte Cristo. He travels making important friends on his way in the political and social hierarchy of the time.
When Monte Cristo returns to visit his old friends, he rewards those who were loyal to him. The people who always did what they could to help him out of his situation. He then goes on a darker mission to punish those who betrayed him. His dark mission does not play out as planned and that is where the life lessons come into play. Monte Cristo and myself and all readers learn that life is more enjoyable if you spend it doing good.
Well, the main character of the book is Edmond Dantes. Edmond has it all: he is young, he has a father who loves him, he is about to made captain of his own ship, and he has a beautiful woman who loves him. However, all is ruined by a group of selfish men envious of Edmond's prosperity. Monsieur Danglars, Caderousse, and Fernand Mondego conspire together by framing Edmond for treason. Then, they get some help from Young M. de Villefort who sends Edmond to Chateau d'If.
Edmond is thrown into solitary confinement and quickly falls into a great despair. He makes a plan to commit suicide, but his attitude changes when he thinks he hears digging. Edmond decides that he is not going to give up on life. He begins digging and meets Abbe Faria. Abbe is a knowledgeable man who teaches Edmond in a variety of subjects and helps Edmond realize how his friends and acquaintances betrayed him. Edmond also learns of a fortune that Abbe has inherited. Abbe suffers from a condition that he feels will soon take his life, so he tells Edmond where it is and bequeaths it to him.
Edmond had originally planned to dig out of the prison, but when Abbe dies he has last minute idea. He puts Abbe's body in his cell and crawls into Abbe's body bag. He believes that the guards will bury him, but on the Chateau d'If dead bodies are thrown into the sea. Edmond escapes from the body bag and washes up on the land. He finds the fortune that Abbe has left him and changes his name to the Count of Monte Cristo. He travels making important friends on his way in the political and social hierarchy of the time.
When Monte Cristo returns to visit his old friends, he rewards those who were loyal to him. The people who always did what they could to help him out of his situation. He then goes on a darker mission to punish those who betrayed him. His dark mission does not play out as planned and that is where the life lessons come into play. Monte Cristo and myself and all readers learn that life is more enjoyable if you spend it doing good.
February 4, 2021
If you have never encountered this before, the novel was written in 1844. It is a tale of a 19-year old sailor (Edmond Dantès) turned prisoner turned count who swears vengeance on those who betrayed him, after they condemned him to 14 years in solitude within an island prison dungeon for political prisoners. It is set in 1815-1844, in Italy, France & Spain. It is written in third person.
I read the unabridged version about a decade ago and loved it! It felt like such an unusual tale, given that it’s not often you read what almost feels like the arc of a villain.
I could totally understand how Dantès went from someone sweet, loyal and naive to someone consumed by vengeance. I found the plot was constantly pulling me forwards as there was always something going on, like a whodunnit? with lots of set ups and twists. My least favourite part was the many pages of backstory after Haydee appears about halfway through the book then disappears again.
Unfortunately, this Puffin Abridged version cut out chunks like his time on the yacht and how he got around. Whilst i don’t remember the details, I do remember how I felt. I remember yearning for freedom and adventure; to have the ability and resources to go wherever I choose, whenever I choose it. I missed that in this version.
This is one of my favourite novels but, if you’re unfamiliar, you can easily get lost with the number of POVs. There’s also at least two generations present at times, which can make for confusing reading when Dumas decides to stick to surnames. If you’re lucky, you might be dealing with a mme and mlle. There’s also a flair for the dramatic that makes some outcomes less believable but still, overall, rather entertaining. You can definitely appreciate Dumas’ background in play writing.
I also got the impression that young women/girls who say they love someone like a brother or father may also mean romantic love, which is really creepy, given the age gap. But perhaps that’s something of the time it was written in.
I read the unabridged version about a decade ago and loved it! It felt like such an unusual tale, given that it’s not often you read what almost feels like the arc of a villain.
I could totally understand how Dantès went from someone sweet, loyal and naive to someone consumed by vengeance. I found the plot was constantly pulling me forwards as there was always something going on, like a whodunnit? with lots of set ups and twists. My least favourite part was the many pages of backstory after Haydee appears about halfway through the book then disappears again.
Unfortunately, this Puffin Abridged version cut out chunks like his time on the yacht and how he got around. Whilst i don’t remember the details, I do remember how I felt. I remember yearning for freedom and adventure; to have the ability and resources to go wherever I choose, whenever I choose it. I missed that in this version.
This is one of my favourite novels but, if you’re unfamiliar, you can easily get lost with the number of POVs. There’s also at least two generations present at times, which can make for confusing reading when Dumas decides to stick to surnames. If you’re lucky, you might be dealing with a mme and mlle. There’s also a flair for the dramatic that makes some outcomes less believable but still, overall, rather entertaining. You can definitely appreciate Dumas’ background in play writing.
I also got the impression that young women/girls who say they love someone like a brother or father may also mean romantic love, which is really creepy, given the age gap. But perhaps that’s something of the time it was written in.
January 12, 2026
My New Year's resolution this year was to read more classics, and this was the first of a long list I plan to devour. I'm not exactly sure why I held off so long on this book, because I absolutely loved it! What a great story of love, loss, revenge and of saving those you love. This is definitely one of the best classics I've read in my lifetime. Now I need to find a movie adaptation to round out the experience, and to read 'The Three Musketeers' by the same author.
Some of my favorite passages from the book (of which there were many):
"These two living statues, whose hearts beat so violently under their apparently marble-like forms yet were separated from each other by the whole length of the room, forgot themselves for a moment, or rather for a moment forgot everybody and everything in their mute contemplation of one another."
"'I love her dearly, madly; I love her so much that I would shed all my blood to save her one tear."
"He opened his window; a red streak traversed the sky in the distance, and seemed to cut in two the slender poplars which stood out in black relief against the horizon."
But the line that spoke the loudest and caused the most emotion, I must admit, was: "Because I am Edmond Dantes!" Gave me chills.
Some of my favorite passages from the book (of which there were many):
"These two living statues, whose hearts beat so violently under their apparently marble-like forms yet were separated from each other by the whole length of the room, forgot themselves for a moment, or rather for a moment forgot everybody and everything in their mute contemplation of one another."
"'I love her dearly, madly; I love her so much that I would shed all my blood to save her one tear."
"He opened his window; a red streak traversed the sky in the distance, and seemed to cut in two the slender poplars which stood out in black relief against the horizon."
But the line that spoke the loudest and caused the most emotion, I must admit, was: "Because I am Edmond Dantes!" Gave me chills.
November 23, 2021
(Puffin Classics abridged version edited by Robin Waterfield) - an enjoyable read that successfully conveyed the brilliance of the original. I finished it inspired to read the unabridged version in the future, after I have forgotten some of the details so it feels fresh again. The story is a timeless tale of suffering, vengeance, and (maybe?) forgiveness.
I found this abridged version to be a bit choppy, which is maybe unavoidable. I don’t know, I’ve never read an abridged novel before. On more than one occasion, however, I found myself confused by the omission of sections that advanced the plot.
I suspect the unabridged version would be a 5 star read for me. I give this abridged version 4 stars and would recommend it to someone who was not up for the commitment of a 1,200 page version.
I found this abridged version to be a bit choppy, which is maybe unavoidable. I don’t know, I’ve never read an abridged novel before. On more than one occasion, however, I found myself confused by the omission of sections that advanced the plot.
I suspect the unabridged version would be a 5 star read for me. I give this abridged version 4 stars and would recommend it to someone who was not up for the commitment of a 1,200 page version.
November 3, 2014
The best and most brilliant classic I've ever read, simple as that!
The story was so enthralling and the plot so cleverly woven
...not that it was faultless. I was a little confused as to who was actually who when it came to the 'vengeance section'.
And the ending - the ending! What happened there? I mean, I understood the Mercedes part, but Haydee? Really? I didn't even know who she was until it was almost the end of the book.
Also, I found it hard to make the connection between Edmond Dantes and the Count of Monte Cristo - two completely different people. Not even the slightest personality traits shared...
That said, this was an absolutely amazing read and a must-read for everyone!
The story was so enthralling and the plot so cleverly woven
...not that it was faultless. I was a little confused as to who was actually who when it came to the 'vengeance section'.
And the ending - the ending! What happened there? I mean, I understood the Mercedes part, but Haydee? Really? I didn't even know who she was until it was almost the end of the book.
Also, I found it hard to make the connection between Edmond Dantes and the Count of Monte Cristo - two completely different people. Not even the slightest personality traits shared...
That said, this was an absolutely amazing read and a must-read for everyone!
October 19, 2018
All human wisdom is contained in these two words "Wait and Hope"
A must read classic novel by Alexandre Dumas. A very captivating & gripping plot with enchanting characters.
The protagonist of the story is a young man, Edmond Dantes, a sailor on the ship Pharaon, returning back to his town Marseilles after a long journey. He has everything a man can look forward to – soon to become the captain and marry his beloved Mercedes. Achieving everything at such a young age turns heavy for him. On the day of his wedding, he is taken into arrest under false acquisition and later sent to prison for serving life imprisonment for a crime he did not commit.
For the full review go to whythatbook.com
A must read classic novel by Alexandre Dumas. A very captivating & gripping plot with enchanting characters.
The protagonist of the story is a young man, Edmond Dantes, a sailor on the ship Pharaon, returning back to his town Marseilles after a long journey. He has everything a man can look forward to – soon to become the captain and marry his beloved Mercedes. Achieving everything at such a young age turns heavy for him. On the day of his wedding, he is taken into arrest under false acquisition and later sent to prison for serving life imprisonment for a crime he did not commit.
For the full review go to whythatbook.com
April 17, 2021
**Let me be clear, this rating reflects the abridged version
This was a total mistake on my part. I was surprised when it arrived that it was so short and didn't realize till a few chapters in why. I don't feel like I got enough of the story to make a full judgement. I found that once Dantes had escaped prison, he played a supporting character rather than a starring role. There was so many subplots it was hard to keep track of. Would I have felt differently if I had all that was removed? I think probably because I loved Dumas' writing in The Three Musketeers so I'm putting the fault in the abridgement. I've always read classics in their entirety and wasn't aware this was a thing. Sigh, maybe one day in the future I'll read the full story and fix my error.
This was a total mistake on my part. I was surprised when it arrived that it was so short and didn't realize till a few chapters in why. I don't feel like I got enough of the story to make a full judgement. I found that once Dantes had escaped prison, he played a supporting character rather than a starring role. There was so many subplots it was hard to keep track of. Would I have felt differently if I had all that was removed? I think probably because I loved Dumas' writing in The Three Musketeers so I'm putting the fault in the abridgement. I've always read classics in their entirety and wasn't aware this was a thing. Sigh, maybe one day in the future I'll read the full story and fix my error.
November 22, 2013
The Count of Monte Cristo has been a favorite of mine for practically as long as I can remember (probably helped along by the 1934 movie adaptation I remember my dad getting from the library when I was very young). It's a beautifully crafted story of revenge, and also of the human soul and spirit. You anger with Edmond, you love with Maximilian, you fear with the plotters, and you rejoice in the retribution. But you also understand how Edmond is changed in the process.
Read
October 9, 2009A great adventure story, with enough substance thrown in to keep it interesting and, well, substantive. The only slow part was the 150-200 page part where the Count was doing his good deeds to reward those who had helped him. Once he hits Paris and slowly sets up his webs of revenge the book regains its true spirit and appeal.
I can see the Three Musketeers in my future.
I can see the Three Musketeers in my future.
May 2, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. I know I read the abridged version but for me I felt it was just right. This is typically not the type of book I would read at all but I enjoyed the story and all the twists and turns it had to offer. I would recommend this story to anyone who is looking for a great story which is fairly easy to follow.
September 2, 2007
Honestly, a real page turner. In some ways I wish I had read the unabridged version. In other ways it took me YEARS to finally read this, I could barely find the time to read this version, and at this point in life: you gotta take what you can get. Loved it. Get it.
June 18, 2008
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book. I was intimidated at first because it's such a classic, but now I know why it's a classic. It has made me a better reader. I wish I'd read it sooner. I think I might read the unabridged version just to read it again.
January 3, 2009
This is a great read. A classic tale of wrongful imprisonment and revenge.
I watched the black-and-white when I was a kid and thought it was a great story then. Of course, the movie (in any version) doesn't do the book justice.
I watched the black-and-white when I was a kid and thought it was a great story then. Of course, the movie (in any version) doesn't do the book justice.
November 4, 2017
I was very interested in the story. I thought the character development of Edmond was excellent. I read this version because I didn't want to read the full version, but now I probably will go for the full version.
June 14, 2025
From chapter one, this book was intriguing and hard to put down. The characters were realistic and easy to follow throughout the story. It also perfectly portrayed the various ways people deal with struggles in life and the importance of learning how to 'Wait and Hope.'
March 27, 2007
Fun as all hell, but I got too bored to finish the last 100 pages. Now how can I really go back?
I'm such a prole, but I really enjoyed this as a movie. The newer one.
I'm such a prole, but I really enjoyed this as a movie. The newer one.
June 21, 2007
I enjoyed the book but I wish I had read the full version.
Read
September 7, 2007"all of human knowledge could be sum up to these two words...
HOPE and WAIT"
Edmond Dantes, Count of Monte Cristo
HOPE and WAIT"
Edmond Dantes, Count of Monte Cristo
March 18, 2008
its good so far... im only on chapter 6 though... a little hard to follow too~~ (if youare a dumb blonde like me) Haha. :)
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