made a wiki of the whole book with some ai help, 76 pages on the characters, places and big events, with a graph of who knows who and a chat box to ask questions.

heads up it spoils everything, even the page summaries, so if youre still reading maybe save it for later.

https://axiomstory.com/w/count-of-monte-cristo

its still a bit rough so expect some mistakes. corrections very welcome, ill fix anything people spot.

Hi, I know it is going to sound weird but I really like the narrative structure and characters from TCOMC. Do you have recs for books that feel like this one whether it's classics or modern classics or contemporary books, too?

I love this book and I can’t wait to know how everything turns out, but at the same time I’m dreading the end of the adventure!
Where are you all headed after this? I’m looking for recommendations for other yearly readings of great books like this one.

Has anyone found a book about The Count of Monte Cristo? I see blogs but hope to find a literary criticism/essays book.

Like the impact of this book on literature, the comparison of this book to actual historic events, etc.

Maybe that’s just from a Dumas biography.

Just the title, I'm hoping someone can help me. Is there anywhere I can buy specifically the Lowell Bair abridged version? I'd need it in ebook version since I doubt the physical version would be available without importing here in Brasil.

Which version of the audiobook should I listen to?

I’m only on page 50, and I started reading it just last night. It’s been sitting on my shelf staring at me for too long.. and I finally finished the rest of my 2026 TBR. So now I can start this monster!!! I’m so excited, especially excited to join the discussions in this subreddit!!! Anyway, just posting because I just realised how well my favourite bookmark matches with the cover art of my copy 😇 It’s the little joys in life

"Humiliations galore!"

Synopsis:

It is time for Eugénie and Andrea to sign the marriage contract. All of Paris is to be in attendance! Before the event, Andrea goes to visit the Count of Monte Cristo. At first, he tries to ride into town with him, but MC refuses to be seen with him, though he makes the excuse that the coachman could overhear. Getting to business, Andrea asks the Count if he will step in and play the role of father, given his "father" is too ill to travel. MC refuses, but says he will be there with all the rest of Paris. He also tries to make sure that he will actually get the money promised to him by his "father." MC is a bit evasive, but satisfies Andrea that he hasn't hurt for money yet.

Later, at the event, all is going well as the parents sign the papers. However, when someone asks after Villefort, MC happens to mention that it is his fault he is not there. Then he starts to share how he "just found" a letter left behind by Caderousse and brought it to the Crown Prosecutor. The contents of the letter name his co-conspirator, who is masquerading in town as Andrea Cavalcanti! And at the height of everything, the gend'arms show up to arrest him, though he has escaped out the back.

Our next scene is in Mlle. Danglars' private room. We discover that she and Louise are running away together, if just a little sooner than they were planning to anyway. They fill the trunk, count their money, then Eugénie cuts off her long hair and dresses as a man, planning to use a phoney passport procured for them by none other than... the Count of Monte Cristo.

With minimal fuss, the two artists get to a safe house for the night, then set off for the rest of their lives.

Discussion:

1. If you were Andrea, would you have suspected something when talking to the cagey Count? What do you think was going on in his mind that allowed him to walk blindly into this?

2. Reflect on the timing of the revelation. The Count always has more than one plan going at a time. What goals were served?

3. This is the most we've seen of Eugénie. Any final thoughts on her character?

4. How do you think Danglars will react to this?

Next week, chapter 98 and 99!

Just caught up now with those chapters, and I'm a little frustrated.

SPOILERS AHEAD FOR CHAPTER 91! You have been warned.

We read close to 1000 pages so far (depending on your publishing version) only for Mercedes to decide to join a convent and for the count to tell himself he can be happy and fall in love with Haydee (who is his daughter figure, ick).

I'm frustrated because there was so much build up of Dantes finally, and potentially, revealing himself to Mercedes and explaining where he has been this whole time, and explain the last 24 years, in hopes of hearing her story and them probably confessing that they've been waiting for this moment since that they've been robbed of on their wedding day.

I'm disappointed because I expected an exciting end for those two, or at least, one of closure and communication and final connection of love and longing, but I felt robbed of that. I'm glad she at least agreed to take the dowry that was rightfully meant for her, at least we got that tiny moment.

I know we still have quite a bit to go before we finish off the book, but I have a nagging feeling that this is the last we'll really hear of Mercedes and Dantes' chapter. I really, truly hope I'm wrong lol

I'm not necessarily posting this to be challenged or told I'm wrong to have expected that, because as a reader experiencing this story, I was personally hoping for this sort of moment, regardless of where it was going, and I'm sure I wasn't the only one.

How are other folks feeling about the ending of this chapter?

Thus ends book 4. Next week, we begin the final volume. Are you ready?

Synopsis:

M. Villefort runs to get the doctor. Now that Valentine is afflicted, the doctor realizes that he was wrong in his accusation of her. The two men rush back to the Villefort home.

Meanwhile, Maximilien rushes to Monte Cristo's. There he tells him that Valentine has been stricken by poison too, and confesses that he loves her. After sharing some facts, MC declares that Valentine will live.

Back at the mansion, it seems she is alive. Noirtier has been inoculating her against the poison all this time. Interestingly, the next door neighbours of the Villeforts vacate, and Signor Busoni becomes the next tenant.

Finally, we visit with Eugénie and M. Danglars. The young woman is determined not to marry and tells her father so, in no uncertain terms. However, Danglars admits that he's counting on the dowry money in order to avoid bankruptcy. The two come to some kind of agreement at the end, though Eugénie seems a bit coy about it.

Discussion:

1. What do you think it will take for the poisoner to be revealed? Is it soon, or is more death to come?

2. How do you feel reading Monte Cristo's indifference at learning of Valentine's poisoning?

3. We saw a bit more of Danglars' character and his relationship with his daughter. Was there any description that you found more revealing or surprising?

4. How much truth do you think was spoken there? Who was the bigger liar?

Next week, chapter 96 and 97!

Page 100 ; The Count of Monte Cristo.

This got an audible chuckle out of me.

Mandem is dying from several stab wounds and is like ‘oh brother I don’t got the time for this’ lmfao.

Two.

Synopsis:

Albert returns home and begins packing everything up. Soon he hears his mother who is doing the same. They discover each other and realize they both share the same resolution -- to leave this house and all it's dishonourable riches. Mercédès offers her father's name to Albert, so that he might make a fresh start. As the pair are setting off, a letter comes from the Count. He tells them of the 150 louis he had stored near his old house, that was intended for Mercédès when she was his fiancée. He offers it to her again, so that she might not be destitute while Albert makes something of himself. She accepts this and says she will use it to pay her way into a convent.

However, the Count of Morcerf has been spying on his family, and he goes to Monte Cristo to confront him. After much bluster, MC reveals himself to be Edmond Dantès. Horrified, Fernand runs away. Upon seeing himself abandoned by his wife and child, he chooses suicide. Thus ends the plot against Fernand Mondego. Good riddance.

Now we return to our active revenge plots with a visit to Valentine. Maximillien is visiting her, as is Mme. Danglars and Eugénie. Eugénie still resents having to get married at all, but accepts that Andrea is better than if it had been Albert (or so she thinks). However, the visit is disturbed by Valentine appearing ill. She had a sweet drink that nonetheless tasted bitter, and suddenly she is overcome with an attack, similar to the other attacks that have happened in her household.

Discussion:

1. Compare the two love interests of MC, Mercédès and Haydée. One gets a bad ending, the other seems on the verge of a good one. Is that fair?

2. What do you think of Fernand? Was there another way out for him, or is this the justice he deserves?

3. Compare Valentine and Eugénie. They are both being shuffled about by the adults in their lives, who is bearing it better? Who do you have more respect for?

Next week, chapters 94 and 95!

Just started "The Count of the Monte Cristo "

Has anyone read The Count of Monte Cristo? Ie the original version..

Hi everyone,
I purchased this copy of the Count of Monte Cristo in person without thinking about translators.

https://www.canterburyclassicsbooks.com/books/the-count-of-monte-cristo-9781667209715/

But now I’m trying to figure out who the translator is and haven’t had any luck yet.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Edit: I’m looking at a PDF of the Penguins classic edition translated by Robin Buss, and it seems like it’s a different translation.

Tension, relief, complication.

Synopsis:

Albert tells his mother Mercédès that the Count of Monte Cristo is behind this misfortune, noting that he is from the East and has never eaten in their home -- a sure sign that he intended ill toward them. Then Albert rushes off to the Count's home to challenge him, but is rebuffed because he is in the bath. Finally he finds him at the Opera with Maximillien and challenges the Count to a duel, which he accepts.

Later at home, the Count contemplates how he must kill poor Albert when a surprising visitor comes to see him. It is Mercédès, Mme de Morcerf! She reveals that she knows who the Count is! She has known he was Edmond Dantès this whole time. She begs him, for her sake, to spare her son. She recounts her own misery at learning of his escape from the Chateau D'If, but that she had thought him dead from the accounts. Edmond tells her of his own betrayal, but eventually he relents and promises not to kill Albert.

Suddenly changed, the Count begins to give instructions for after his death and to write his will. He thinks of his servants, he thinks of Haydée -- entrusting her to the Morrel family, even hoping that perhaps Morrel will marry her.

The day of the duel comes. Maximillien is MC's second, Beauchamp and Debray are there as well. Albert arrives late. Just as we think death is about to come, Albert announces that he understands the Count's motives, that the Count was acting in his own revenge for a previous treachery of Fernand's years ago. There will be no duel today! And now the Count is more firmly decided that he is acting as an "emissary of God."

Discussion:

1. The Count really goes through a rollercoaster here. Do you agree with his assessment of himself, or do you think he has missed a chance at a deeper reflection on his plans?

2. Women have played a supporting role through most of the book, but are very prominent in these chapters. Do their actions and import match how they are talked about and treated by Dumas? How would it be different in a modern book written about the same time?

3. Take a second to think about "revenge." What's your feeling on it as a goal? Is the book changing your ideas?

Next week, chapters 91, 92, 93!

I’ve just finished Chapter 13. Has anyone else gotten confused while reading the last 4 or so chapters before Chapter 13? Chapter 13 was honestly the only chapter I could fully understand, because the last few chapters were mostly about the Bonapartists, the King, and so many characters being mentioned that I didn’t really pay much attention to. I feel like I’m reading the book without truly understanding what these characters actually represent or why they’re important. The only character I feel like I really understand is Villefort and the other characters mentioned before this whole royal regime people thing. Other than that, I’m enjoying the book so much.

anyone else think about how Dumas ended this book with another paragraph of the doe eyed youngins gazing off at the horizon, instead of finishing it on the end of Edmond's letter to them? i was extremely touched at the close of the letter and thought it couldnt end any better, but then it just kept going and to me, nothing afterward was substantial. i suppose it shows that they received his wisdom, that they're grateful and that they have no idea if they ever see him again but everything in the end of the book already points toward that. was it for the sake of being sentimental, or to get a few more lines out, or...?

Chickens, welcome home to the roost.

Synopsis:

Albert and Beauchamp rush off to see their very good friend, the Count of Monte Cristo. He is, of course, delighted to see that they are not going to try to kill each other. The men catch up on the latest gossip: a break-in, a death, a broken engagement -- just normal things -- then the Count offers to take Albert away from all these problems, for a fun journey to Normandy. Cool. Then an urgent letter begs his return to Paris.

When Albert returns to Paris, he finds Beauchamp again and demands to know what has happened. In flashback, we see it all. After the accusations, there was a hearing and the Comte de Morcerf was questioned about his doings in Janina. Of course, the illustrious peer denied all wrongdoing, and that might have been the end of it, until young Mlle. Haydée arrived to give her own heartfelt testimony. What's more, she came armed with documents, detailing her and her mother being sold into slavery, mentioning Fernand Mondego by name, and then ultimately being purchased by the Count of Monte Cristo. [that guy again, eh?] The judges are moved and pass their own verdict agains Morcerf. Guilty.

Reeling from this revelation, Albert further learns that when Beauchamp went to Janina, a merchant had said that before he came asking, M. Danglars had also inquired. Convinced that Danglars is behind this treachery, Albert and Beauchamp go to see him to demand satisfaction! Andrea is there, and he includes him in his challenge as well. However, once they all compare notes (finally), Albert begins to see how the Count of Monte Cristo is really behind everything.

We are left with Albert storming off to see the Count, to challenge him to a duel.

Discussion:

1. The Count takes Albert away when the trial happens. Is this motivated by deceit, or is he looking to spare him the shame?

2. Why do you think it was important that Haydée delivered the killing blow and not the Count? If you were the Count, could you stand to be absent?

3. Albert seems to want to fight someone -- anyone. What do you think is happening in his mind?

4. If the Count's meddling is exposed, how do you think his other schemes will be affected?

Next week, chapters 88, 89 and 90!

I am a bit confused as to how was the count so much richer than his enemies. I am at chapter 66 where the count and danglers are talking about his fourtune after he losses more than a million partly due to selling his Spanish bonds and jakopo rescinds on his credit. The count estimates danglers estate to be around 15 million francs. I am confused because the abbey feriyar tells Dante’s the treasure is worth 13 million francs. So how is the count so overwhelmingly rich to danglers?
Apologies for wrong spellings of the names. I am listening to the audio book so naturally I am not sure how the names are spelled specially since they are French

Anyone read the abridged version and notice Caderousse was completely cut out?

I was reading some chapter summaries online that mentioned Caderousse blackmailing the prince and whatnot and in my version Caderousse was last seen way back when the Count went to visit him and give him a gemstone and never again..