The Count of Monte Cristo

“On what slender threads do life and fortune hang.”

Beginning in Marseille, France, Edmond Dantes finds out how true this statement really is.

After 1243 pages, one would think I was glad this was over. But far from it, I found myself quite put out when Edmond and Haydee sailed off into the sunset.

I doubt I could say more than what has already been said by poets and scholars and general readers such as myself.

My favorite part of this story was the justice, the desire to become the best person you can be despite your circumstance, and the character progression of the naive Dantes to the vengeful Count of Monte Cristo to the finally peaceful Edmond. I couldn’t recommend it enough.

And for those of you who get confused, here is a guide that will help connect the dots. I found this on the internet and do not take any credit for it, but thought it was the best, most easy to follow diagram.

Source: By Countofmontecristorelations.jpg:Sciguy2013 at en.wikipedia. Later version(s) were uploaded by Micromaster at en.wikipedia. derivative work: RicHard-59 (Countofmontecristorelations.jpg) [CC-BY-SA-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/1.0)], from Wikimedia Commons.

Join the Conversation

Rebekah Loper
says:
January 9, 2014 at 6:42 pm -


The Count of Monte Cristo has long been a favorite of mine! I very much loved the realistic portrayal of Edmond’s growth, and that the tragic story didn’t end as tragically as it began.
Jordana Cashman
says:
January 12, 2014 at 11:13 am -


I love this book so much and I’m so happy you read it. I can’t wait to re-read it over the summer.
xoxox
Holistic Wayfarer
says:
March 15, 2014 at 12:01 pm -


We all love the justice. =)
Annalee Norton
says:
March 26, 2014 at 1:56 am -


Totally agree! I’ve just recently re-read it, and the transformation of Dantes really stood out to me this time. Have you ever read (or seen any of the movies of) Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland? Lately, I’ve been tempted to write about the similarities between Edmond Dantes and the Queen of Hearts (she yells for people to be decapitated all the time). Thanks for posting the map, that is super helpful! From you blog, I take it you are way into writing! I have a love-hate relationship with it. What kind of novels are you interested in writing?
1. heathercashman
  says:
  March 26, 2014 at 10:27 am -
  
  
  What a comparison! While Dantes wants everyone to pay, in many ways he only lets them hang themselves. But he is seemingly all-powerful much like a monarch. And yes, I love writing. I’ve written epic fantasy, science fiction, and dystopian. Am working on an alternate reality right now. I write to a theme I’m exploring and end up with a novel. Try as I might, I just can’t quit. Are you a writer?

The Count of Monte Cristo