The Count Of Monte Cristo is an indisputable classic of classics with many great readers having enjoyed the pleasures and heartbreaks of this novel.
Summary
The novel starts with the introduction of the main protagonist, Edmond Dantes. In these introductory chapters, the setting of Marseille is portrayed and Dantes, soon to marry his beautiful fiance, is about as happy as a man can be with his father alive, and the new promotion to captain of his ship.
When fortune seems to be favoring the young man to inevitable happiness, Providence has a different idea. On Edmond’s wedding night, he is arrested in front of the whole party. How can this happen? What will become of Edmond’s beloved friends and family?
This story is one with many twists and turns leaving you bewildered and in awe of the genius of Dantes, or Dumas. In the reading of this book I was always kept guessing and left surprised by the creative power of Dumas and Edmond while he goes through his journey of vengeance. During Dantes’ arrest, Dumas draws the emotions so vividly you are sitting in Dantes’ cell with him, in utter despair about what your life could have been.
Themes/Lessons Learned
The main theme of this book is that Edmond Dantes is the so-called “Angel of Death”. He is the ultimate image of what Dumas believed to be the angel of God’s vengeance on the wicked. Edmond himself goes to explain “but I, who have also been betrayed, assassinated and cast into a tomb, I have emerged from that tomb by the grace of God and I owe it to God to take my revenge. He has sent me for that purpose. Here I am.” (Dumas 982).
As well as the theme of Edmond being the angel of vengeance, their are themes of love, and this book really explores themes of joy and grief. One of the most famous quotes from this book is at the end, and I think it really captures what the author was trying to convey to his readers through the crazy story of Edmond Dantes. “There is neither happiness nor misfortune in this world, there is merely the comparison between one state and another, nothing more. Only someone who has suffered the deepest misfortune is capable of experiencing the heights of felicity. Maximillien, you must needs have wished to die, to know how good it is to live.” (Dumas 1243).
This book is a piece of literary art, the poetic writing is the most beautiful I have read. One of the main themes of this book is love, and young love that is put over life itself. “Why does it matter to you, Valentine, if I am as happy as I am, if eternal waiting seems to me fully compensated for by five minutes with you, by two words from your lips and by the deep, enduring conviction that God has not created any two hearts as well suited as ours, and has certainly not almost miraculously brought them together, only to separate them again.” (Dumas 645).
Recommendation and Conclusion
Now with the ever long list of strengths of this book that I may mention, there is one weakness I would like to address. This is my personal opinion. One of the few flaws I see in this book is that at a certain point towards the last quarter of the book, Edmond becomes almost not even a real person. He seems to have all knowledge and power without seeking any of it, or having to really explain how he pulled off miraculous feats, making it feel unrealistic and slightly to fanatical.
But in conclusion, this book is perfect for people who want to read a life changing story, with characters they will forever be attached to, and for those who want to spend 52 days, and come out a different and better person on the other side. I recommend this book to everybody, but it might help to have a couple shorter books under your belt before undergoing this big of a novel. All in all it is easy to read, the best story line I have ever read, and is a book that will be useful in your life even after the last page has been turned.