The Count of Monte Cristo
Greatest Classic Books of All Time
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4.5 • 10 Ratings
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Publisher Description
The Count of Monte Cristo (French: Le Comte de Monte-Cristo) is an adventure novel written by French author Alexandre Dumas (père) completed in 1844. It is one of the author's more popular works, along with The Three Musketeers. Like many of his novels, it was expanded from plot outlines suggested by his collaborating ghostwriter Auguste Maquet.
The story takes place in France, Italy, and islands in the Mediterranean during the historical events of 1815–1839: the era of the Bourbon Restoration through the reign of Louis-Philippe of France. It begins on the day that Napoleon left his first island of exile, Elba, beginning the Hundred Days period when Napoleon returned to power. The historical setting is a fundamental element of the book, an adventure story centrally concerned with themes of hope, justice, vengeance, mercy, and forgiveness. It centers on a man who is wrongfully imprisoned, escapes from jail, acquires a fortune, and sets about exacting revenge on those responsible for his imprisonment.
Customer Reviews
A classic favorite
I loved the movie growing up but never got the chance to read the book till I was on maternity leave. It was so much better and full of more calculated revenge than I could have ever imagined. Although it is an older book (I’m usually drawn towards contemporary novels) the narration is captivating and draws you into the setting and the character’s lives. Altogether it was a great read.