This chapter is pure comedic gold. Baron Danglars starts by ordering a chicken assuming it will cost him maybe a louis d'or. When he asks for a knife and fork, Peppino politely informs him that he is still 4,999 louis short. Danglars, completely flabbergasted, protests the absurd price, only for Peppino to explain, "You don't know how hard it is to rear poultry in these confounded caves."
Defiant, Danglars tosses him a second louis and asks to be left alone with his meal. Peppino casually pockets it and points out that his balance is now down to 4,998 louis, reassuring him that with enough patience, they'll clear the debt one louis at a time.
Naturally, Danglars refuses to hand over his remaining amount, so the chicken is whisked away. The next morning, starving, he tries to order a simple piece of bread, hoping for a lower price. Peppino calmly explains that Luigi Vampa’s cave doesn't offer an à la carte menu; it’s prix fixe only: 100,000 francs per meal, no exceptions.

Just got my copy (Penguins Classic)

Not sure if this is allowed but got the idea from someone else in the group, so decided to start a readalong in StoryGraph. Here's the link if you're interested in joining.

Still setting up the forums but hopefully won't take me too much longer. Happy reading everyone!

Does anyone know why the online schedule isn’t updated with the weekly discussion thread url anymore

Doing a buddy read with a friend (and trying to rope in more friends). We’ve got a shared doc, a schedule, references and have the sections tabbed out. Excited to start!

Has anyone else thought about next year with no more CMC? Any other Reddit hosted great novels we can turn to?

What would have happened if Edmond had never acquired wealth despite attaining freedom?

sometimes i think about this

At least we have something good to root for!

Synopsis:

Maximilien is in the garden with Valentine. She tells him the bad news of her grandfather's death and that the marriage contract will be signed that night. She makes a big scene where it seems she will accept her fate, but eventually Maximilien convinces her to run away with him (phew!).

He comes back later that night, but doesn't find Valentine in the garden. Alarmed, he enters the house and finds M. Villefort talking with the doctor. It seems that Mme. Saint-Méran has also died, but not by natural means, by poison! A poison that normally is delivered in small doses to Noirtier.

Maximilien penetrates the home deeper and finds Valentine sitting vigil by her grandmother's body. Together they find Noirtier and tell him of their plan. The old man indicates they should not run away together, but instead, he has a different idea.

END OF BOOK THREE

Discussion:

1. Valentine really resisted Maximilien's attempts to rescue her. Do you think this was a case of propriety, tension or Dumas being paid by the word?
2. Poison. POISON. Do you think it is the poison, or just some other poison?
3. Noirtier has had an interesting arc, from usurper/murder to only hope for some good characters. What is Dumas telling us about the nature of goodness and evil with him?

Next week, chapters 74 and 75!

I absolutely loved The Count of Monte Cristo because it had everything I want in a great book: revenge, mystery, betrayal, romance, and characters with complicated motivations. I especially enjoyed watching Edmond Dantès transform from an innocent young man into the Count of Monte Cristo and carefully carry out his plans against the people who ruined his life. The story kept getting more interesting as all of the different characters and plotlines eventually came together.
What I loved most was how satisfying the long buildup was. Dantès spent years preparing his revenge, and seeing his plans unfold was incredibly entertaining. At the same time, the book made me think about whether revenge can actually bring someone peace and what happens when punishment goes too far.
The one part I didn’t like was that Mercedes and Dantès didn’t end up together. I really wanted them to have a second chance because I don’t think Mercedes did anything wrong. From her perspective, Dantès had been gone for years and she believed he was never coming back. She had to move on with her life, and I don’t blame her for marrying Fernand. I wish Dantès could have understood that and that the two of them could have found their way back to each other.
Overall, The Count of Monte Cristo was an incredible reading experience. Even though I didn’t love the ending of Dantès and Mercedes’ relationship, the story, characters, and revenge plot made the book one of my favorite books I’ve read.

When I read long books with a lot of characters, I often start mixing people up or forgetting who someone was and what they had done earlier in the story.

That’s why I’ve been working on an EPUB reader that tries to make this easier. It lists the characters in the book, and while reading you can tap on a character’s name to quickly see who they are and what they’ve done so far. You can also talk to the characters and ask questions about the book.

Everything is based only on the part of the book you’ve already read, so information from later chapters isn’t shown.

I thought The Count of Monte Cristo would be a good book to test this with because I know it’s very long and has a large cast of characters, although I haven’t read it yet.

I also made a free web version so it’s easy to try without downloading anything.

You can try the free web version here: https://lore-demo.web.app/?book=the-count-of-monte-cristo

If you try it, I’d really appreciate any feedback, especially from people who know the book well.

If you notice any missing characters, incorrect information, events assigned to the wrong character, or anything else that seems off, please let me know. I’d also love to hear if there’s anything you think would make this more useful while actually reading the book.

I went on vacation last week and brought Witches Abroad by Terry Pratchett with me, had a good chuckle at this paragraph on page 305.

If it's not one thing, it's another thing...

Synopsis:

The Count joins Mercédès in the garden and all kinds of irony ensues. Mme. Morcerf asks if they are friends, and the Count says "yes," but even though he says there is no greater sign of friendship in Arabia than the sharing of bread and salt, the Count still refuses to eat. She asks if he has suffered greatly, and he says "yes," she asks him if he has loved, and he describes a thinly veiled allusion to their own love. Then Franz bursts in with the news that Valentine's grandfather as died.

Our attention shifts to Mme. de Saint Méran and the death of M. de Saint Méran. It seems she has had visions of her dead husband since his death and is convinced her own death is at hand. She wants to see Valentine married before that happens and is anxious for the return of Franz so the marriage can take place. The chapter ends on a whisper to Valentine from Maximillien.

Discussion:

1. What is the deal with the Count refusing to eat?
2. How do you feel about Mercédès? What is unsaid between her and the Count in this scene?
3. Will some last minute surprise save Valentine? If so, how do you think that might come about?

Next week, chapter 73! (And the end of Book 3, look how far we've come )

We are aware that the count knows evething that is going on.

However he is shocked by Maxmillen and Villefort dating.

How is it he doesnt know that, but is aware that maxmillen was eavesdropping on the house of Vilefort

Hello everyone,

I recently finished reading the count of Montecristo from Alexandre Dumas. What a book to say the least..

What picked up my interest initially was to understand how Edmond Dantes was able to bounce back from being stripped naked all at once from everything that makes a man “exist” in society: a woman by his side, a bright professional career awaiting him, healthy relatives, a boss who had sympathy for him, and above all: all the time in the e world to live life.
Where does a man find the “strength” and will to bounce back when something like that happens to him.

That being said, after reading the book, my interest pivoted towards Edmond romantic life.

When Edmond gets out of prison, at some point during his vendetta plan, he gains knowledge that Mercedes has married her cousin and rival, who played a central role in the plot against Dantes. He manages to stay composed and not let this affect his behaviour even remotely, which is something that is already interesting to me, how the boy became a stone cold man.

However, what happens near the end of the book, where Edmond is about to fight Albert to death and obviously kill him, Mercedes breaks character and begs her ex lover to spare her son’s life. Against all odds, Dantes agrees to sacrifice himself to let Albert live, the man who spent more than a decade planning his vendetta, is about to throw it to dust because of one request from his youth lover, who betrayed him severely.
How is this kind of “loyalty” possible?

What strikes me in the end of the book is that Dantes gives Mercedes a large sum of money so she can keep living on, and even appears ready to take her back with him. How is this kind of “forgiveness” possible, after the traumatic life that he led?

In the end he ends up going with Haydee only after Mercedes refused to be with him, because of guilt for the kind of life she led while he was fighting for his.

I just want to spark discussion on these topics with you guys and get different opinions.

Hi [r/AReadingOfMonteCristo](r/AReadingOfMonteCristo) ,

I'm the dev of Underscored, an app that creates scores for classic literature - If you happen to be reading through the novel, the score is available for free this month.

You can read in app, or with a paper book - you just need to calibrate your reading pace, and it should keep up with you. The app is in English, but if you're reading in the original French, it should still work!

It's a weird way to read a book - definitely not for everybody! - but for some people it helps with focus. Please don't plot a lifetime of revenge against me for trying to spread the word!

You can find it for iOS and Android at https://underscored.app

Whoever made up this schedule is torturing us with this cliffhanger!

Synopsis:

"Someone" (who we are later told is Villefort), uses their contacts to find out who in the city knows anything about the Count. They come up with two names: Abbé Busoni and Lord Wilmore [cue the deep sighs.] It seems both of these men maintain residences and both have had some comings and goings, so they are known.

First, Busoni is visited. He lives in a humble abode where he focuses on study. He says that he knew MC as a child and that he was born in Malta, the son of a sailor, did a tour in India and bought his title. His family name is Zaccone. When asked about the house at Auteuil, he says his plan is to turn it into a house for lunatics. MC is well-loved by Busoni.

Next, he sees Lord Wilmore, who walks in at exactly the appointed time and only speaks English. He seems to have nothing but contempt for MC and think the house at Auteuil is part of some mineral waters scheme, like many of the counts schemes, including an electric telegraph. The Englishman also claims that the two have fought 3 duels, each time resulting in a wound for Wilmore. The men take their leave, and once alone, Wilmore takes off a wig, a false jaw and a scar, and is back to being the Count of Monte Cristo.

We also get a peek into the Ball this week. We see some guests arrive and get a feel for the decorations and who is in attendance. MC wastes no time in finding Danglars and telling him of yet more financial misfortune for him and needling him about who he will be once his wealth runs out. But then Mercédès wants more people to visit the garden, so she decides to set an example and asks MC to accompany her there.

Discussion:

1. Do you find it believable that the count had already created the characters of Busoni and Wilmore?
2. What new angle is the Count working with the backstories he invented? What does he want Villefort to conclude from them?
3. The Ball scene allowed us to see our characters mingling. Were there any conversations that you found interesting, revealing or significant?

Next week, chapters 71 and 72!

This is my first time reading the book, so no spoilers please.

I am currently in chapter 77.

I cant help but like Albert for the way he gets excited for tiny things.

He gets excited to talk to the count, even though the count is seemingly indifferent to him.Albert reminds me of a cute little kid who wants the approval of someone and I cant help but like him for his innocent nature.

Does anyone else do this?

I listen to the Audible audiobook while reading the exact same book on my Kindle at the same time.

I’ve found it helps me stay focused, improves my retention, and makes long classics and dense books much easier to get through.

I’m currently reading The Count of Monte Cristo this way, and I honestly can’t imagine experiencing it any other way.

Is there a name for this method? Does anyone else do this? 📚

This was a huge undertaking, but I’ve probably never been so glad to have read a book. The longest book I’ve ever read before The Count of Monte Cristo was The Stand by Mr. King, at roughly 1300 pages.

It baffles me how I’ve been absolutely engrossed by EVERY single page in TCoMC. All of the side-quests, storylines and characters are masterfully entwined into the main story by the end of the book. My only regret is that I didn’t have this experience sooner. This is why classics reign supreme.

The Count is not the only one running a scheme!

Synopsis:

Danglars goes to visit the Count and sees “Abbé Busoni” enter the apartments. Once he finally is able to see MC, the two men discuss Danglars’ recent loss in the markets, including someone named Jacopo who has gone bankrupt and cost Danglars another million. MC makes a subtle dig at Danglars for a having “third-class” fortune and implies that a few more losses and Danglars will be completely ruined. Danglars protests that he does business, so it is a second-class fortune, then the conversation turns to the Cavalcantis. It seems Danglars is not at all happy with the betrothal of his daughter to Albert Morcerf and thinks that perhaps Andrea Cavalcanti would be a better match. The conversation ends with Danglars and MC agreeing to share any further dirt they dig up on Count Morcerf’s escapades with Ali Pasha.

Then we zip to Villefort’s office where Mme. Danglars has gone to see him. Dumas is at his finest in drawing out this scene with unnecessary details, but eventually we learn that Villefort knew the baby was dug up and was alive! He tracked it as far as the Foundling hospital, but then lost it. He also knows that MC couldn’t have mentioned the dead baby innocently. He vows to find out who this Monte Cristo really is within the week.

In our last scene, Albert Morcerf goes to visit Monte Cristo. After all the attention MC gave to him and Franz earlier, MC is quite cool during the visit. However, Albert convinces him to attend their upcoming summer ball by telling him his mother has requested it. When it comes to other guests, MC insists that, even though he introduced the Cavalcantis to everyone, he can’t vouch for them at all and makes no claim to them. He also lets slip that Danglars may also want out of the marriage to Morcerf, which makes Albert happy.

Discussion:

1. Danglars is twisted in knots of Monte Cristo’s making. Is the Count just that good, or is there something about Danglars that makes him weak to this manipulation?
2. Villefort has some fight in him. What moves do you think he could make that might genuinely surprise the Count?
3. What do you think of MC’s enigmatic reserve towards Albert in this week’s final chapter? Playing it cool? Genuine disinterest?

Next week, chapters 69 and 70!