The Count of Monte Cristo (Everyman's Library)

I first read this book when I was in my early teens and, as expected, I was just fascinated by it. So much so, that I started reading everything “Dumas” I could put my hands on, to the point that I got so fed up with this writer I vowed never to read anything written by him ever again… But then, finding the above pictured version (with the enticing introduction by Umberto Eco), I decided to give it another try and see how I would feel about it decades and decades later. Starting to read it with a bias opinion, I slowly began falling in love with it all over again. I rediscovered Dumas’ sophisticated writing style (far superior to many contemporary writers), his complex plots and mysterious characters, his almost perfect structure of a novel. Wrongly accused and unfairly imprisoned, Edmond Dantes will spend the best years of his life incarcerated at Chateau D’If, where we can see his evolution from a young and naïve chap in his prime to a mature, serious and even cruel man, seeking revenge against all who wronged him. It is in this prison where he meets the abbe Faria, his mentor, the one who will not only open his eyes and help him solve the mystery of his imprisonment but will transform him into a scholar and a man of letters. It is thanks to abbe Faria that Dantes manages to, not only keep his sanity, but escape that death trap and, ultimately, find wealth, fame and fulfill his thirst for revenge. This book is really many-splendored things: it is not only about its complex characters and the unique situations they live, it is also a homage to the era it depicts, including the fashion, the customs, the manners, the high society with its carnivals and balls, the political distress of the epoque, the banking system, the arranged marriages, the military and justice system, etc. etc. “The Count of Monte Cristo” is a true literary masterpiece: a story about deceive, desperation, hope, ambition, redemption, revenge and, of course, love. And everything is masterfully crafted in Dumas’ unique style, where he doesn’t just form sentences to express an action, he paints a picture in vivid colors. For example, Dumas does not just simply say that the count is looking with interest at a picture, but “he is busy examining [this] portrait with no less care that he had bestowed upon the other”; he is not just seeing an old man, but “reads on the careworn, pale feature of [that person] a whole history of secret grief written in each wrinkle time had planted there”, etc. etc. Still, Dumas’ insatiable romantic style is reflected throughout the entire book: some reactions are rushed and extreme, his characters move from tears, to paleness, to trembling, to tears again within one sentence; his protagonists are animated by the same passionate, impulsive and unrealistic love and enthusiasm that sometimes make these scenes puerile in description and illustration. But, all in all, this book is a delight to read. As said before, I personally recommend the version pictured above, in the “Every Man’s Library” collection, as it has a beautiful introduction signed by the great Umberto Eco, one of my absolute favorite writers.

Note: While Amazon for obvious reasons has tossed into one folder ALL the reviews of the various editions abridged and unabridged, kindle and physical books, I have read this one: The Count of Monte Cristo May 1, 2016 | Kindle eBook. This is an unabridged version. ---- Published in the mid-19th century this is still the gold standard for the revenge novel (the recent TV series "Revenge" was loosely based on it), and while parts of it surely are typical of the 19th century, there are other parts that are astonishingly postmodern.There are many subplots, clandestine romance, twists, and misdirections. And it all ends well in a looong resolution, as the characters we've been following leave the stage one by one. (Postmodern some parts may be, but this is, after all, still a 19th-century novel.) The novel requires The Count to play several roles, and Dumas does not always reveal this at the beginning of the scene. It was easy to figure out when the Count, Edmund Dantes, visits someone in disguise, but I kept wondering if it were that easy for 19th-century readers. Was this a very early example of this technique? I cannot say. The plot is simple. Edmund Dantes, unjustly left to rot in a dungeon thanks to the collusion of four people, learns of buried treasure while incarcerated, miraculously escapes, finds the treasure and becomes The Count of Monte Cristo, and sets about evening the score. The translation (anonymous) certainly retains the flavor of the original French with quite a bit of Homeric hyperbole tossed in. And there is quite a bit of social satire, some of which probably seemed funnier to Dumas's contemps than it does to today's audience, but you'll still get more than a chuckle or two out of the gossipy dialogues among the French upper crust the author pokes fun at. Notes and asides: Amazon offers two Kindle versions at low prices. One was formatted in 2012. Avoid it. Be certain to select the 2016 version I cited at the top of my review, which has proper spacing and paragraph indents. Indeed, the Good Folks at the company should do prospective readers a favor and withdraw the former version. There is some stuff that parents who rate 9 and above on the helicopter scale might want under-16s to avoid. Parents who rate lower will probably think it ok for 13 and above.

Alexander Dumas tells one of the greatest sagas ever told. He does it in a way no one else can. Humor, adventure, romance, all while serving the king and defying the Cardinal. This is a true page turner and one I hope to revisit many times in the future

This was the first novel I purchased from Everyman’s Library, and I was pleasantly surprised by the excellent quality of the book. It features a good-sized font, well-spaced margins, and is printed on acid-free paper in a durable hardcover edition—all at a very affordable price. Since then, I have purchased many more books from this publisher and have never been disappointed. I highly recommend this edition of this great novel.

4.75 Amazon, please give us the ability to rate in smaller scales so that I can give this book a more precise review. THIS IS AN OPINION FROM ONE READER THAT REALLY ENJOYED THE BOOK. This book took me about 3 months to finish (due to school and other required texts I had to read). The book does a great job of portraying the setting and the characters, to a point that it felt more like reading a description of a landscape painting. The characters were all very well established in their detail and motives, although it had a bad habit of putting too much details into the characters conversation that became difficult to follow at times. This book took me through a long and arduous journey of a man who vowed to take revenge from the people who took everything from him. At times the journey was dull or too detail oriented, but these short comings are overshadowed by the other moments that are epic, dramatic, and satisfying.

It’s fantastic. A classic. The binding, the paper, the introduction. It’s all great. It’s a great read with a great publisher. Thank you Everymans library

(My review doesn't include the story, only the technical details of the book) This edition of The Count of Monte Cristo is a beautiful book, with a good font size, and a great translation. its size is good to handle and the hardcover feeling is good as well. It, by other side, came with some imperfections to me. The book shows some dark spots on top ( there is a photo to illustrate them) and shows barely visible curves on corners. It also came with some markings on the pages that are visible when we look the book sideways. In general it's a great book and I recommend for everyone who wants a satisfactory version of this work of Alexandre Dumas.

A REVIEW OF 'THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO' BY ALEXANDRE DUMAS Rightly regarded as one of the all-time classics of literature, 'The Count Of Monte Cristo' is also truly an epic novel. Written by Alexandre Dumas at arguably the most productive period in his literary career, is a tale of immense length and depth, courage and diversity. Whilst no means perfect in its structure, it is nevertheless, a wonderfully ambitious and rewarding book that will merit the reader's time and patience. For those not in the know, the story revolves around the injustice heaped upon the flourishing young sailor, Edmond Dantes, who meets with tragedy on the day of his wedding in 1815 when he is cruelly betrayed by a conspiracy of jealous rivalry orchestrated by three men: Danglers, Fernand and Villefort. For various contemptuous reasons, all three villains are content to see Dantes rot in the isolated prison of Chateau D'If, whilst they pursue their own interests. However, thanks to the fortuitous meeting with a fellow prisoner, after years of captivity, Dantes is miraculously provided with both an extraordinary means of escape and personal reinvention with unlimited wealth. The opening passages of the novel set the scene brilliantly, and the sense of injustice and tragedy is conveyed with real impact. This makes Dantes' escape as satisfying as it is thrilling. What follows is a story of retribution and revenge, with our hero now reborn as the mysterious and impossibly wealthy Count of Monte Cristo. Perhaps the cleverest trick that Dumas plays is his ability to make the reader believe that The Count is so far removed from young Dantes (both physically and spiritually) that the targets of his vengeance fail to recognise their new associate until their respective fates are sealed. Thus, The Count sets about a painstaking process of ruining his betrayers, using fitting and ironic methods. The tale unfolds like a cunning game of human chess, with the pieces being moved with clinical precision before "check mate" is announced. Critics of 'The Count Of Monte Cristo' have been quick to highlight its sprawling narrative, and have played up the fact that Dumas was known to be being paid by the word. Consequently, certain puddings are over-egged, and the pace of the story does dip in places, notably the passages set in Italy, with The Count establishing his allies and necessary persona. Likewise, those expecting derring-do and the type of fast-paced action that Dumas offered his readers in 'The Three Musketeers' will be disappointed. The justice that Dantes unleashes is achieved by guile and planning, not by the sword. Nevertheless, despite its faults and limitations, 'The Count Of Monte Cristo' works magnificently. Its conclusion is neither easily-predicted nor over-simplistic. Instead, its drips with religious imagery and thoughtful judgements about the hero's motivation and final outcome. Suffice to say that the novel ends with 3 words that will resonate. In short, 'The Count Of Monte Cristo' is a fabulous book from an age when the very best in popular entertainment stemmed from a 1,300 page novel rather than a 130-channel television. Escapism (either from the world at large or, in the case of Edmond Dantes, from Chateau D'If) simply doesn't come much better than this. Barty's Score: 9/10

In bought this as a gift but it is my favourite book. An amazing tale of revenge. It is long but was a quick read for me as I could not put it down. If I had to recommend any book to read this would be it for me.

If you wish to read one great classic in your life and you wish to walk away feeling joy. This is the one to read. (keep a character mind map but because dam it does be confusing at times)

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas is a gripping tale of betrayal, revenge, and redemption. The plot is intense, the characters are unforgettable, and the story keeps you hooked till the end. A timeless classic and absolutely worth reading