• 5 Star Reads
  • Audiobooks
  • Books on Screen
  • Children’s Books
  • Christian
  • Fiction
  • Giveaways

5 Minutes For Books

  • Home
  • About
    • Who Are We? Reviewer Bios
    • 5 Star Reads
    • Disclosure
    • Privacy Policy
    • About Us
  • Join In
    • 5 Minutes for Books Bookclub
    • Children’s Classics
    • Kids’ Picks
    • What’s on Your Nightstand
  • Link To Us
  • Contact
    • Advertise

The Count of Monte Cristo

June 18, 2009 by Lisa

I love the classics. Though I must admit, as I stand in front of the classics display at the bookstore, I am a little ashamed at how few I’ve actually read. Thus I’ve made it an unofficial goal of mine to read more classic literature, a goal which doesn’t feel so much like a goal as it does a pleasure. With the exception of only one or two (just ask Carrie about Wives and Daughters, ahem), I have never regretted the time spent in the pages of a classic novel.

Speaking of pages, my copy of The Count of Monte Cristo numbers at over 1200 of them which is pretty intimidating to say the least. I ordered the unabridged version based on the reviews I had read but I was a little daunted by the sheer size of the book, especially after reading an abridged version of Les Miserables, a version that still contained several political rants the reader must endure plow through (or at least that was this reader’s experience).

But I read them, all 1200+ pages chronicling the adventures of The Count of Monte Cristo and I loved them, all 1200+ pages. My review in a nutshell: Fantastic. Wonderful. Incredible storytelling. And, finally, man up and read all 1200+ pages; you’ll be so glad you did!

Unlike Les Miserables, I cannot fathom which portion of the story one would condense or, worse, leave out altogether. You need them all. You will love them all. For those of you, like me, unfamiliar with Monte Cristo’s story, young Edmond Dantes is thrown in prison for a crime he did not commit. During his incarceration, he befriends an old priest who claims ownership of a vast fortune hidden on the island of Monte Cristo. Upon his death, the priest shares the secret of the fortune with Dantes who then determines to escape and to use the treasure to exact his revenge upon those responsible for his years spent in prison undeservedly.

All the elements that make for a really good read, a “classic” if you will, are here. Love. Intrigue. Suffering. Mystery. Adventure. Action. Betrayal. Vengeance. Redemption. Honor. Intricate characterization. Compelling plot. Interesting setting.

It’s a classic, to be sure. Not only that but it’s 1200+ pages’ worth of really good reading. Highly recommended!

Note: I read the Penguin Classics’ version of The Count of Monte Cristo (linked in this review) featuring Robin Buss’ translation which I found to be clear, easy to read, and wonderfully written, so well written in fact that I sometimes forgot I was reading a translation!

Wife and mother, Bible teacher and blogger, Lisa loves Jesus, coffee, dark chocolate and, of course, books. Read more of her reflections at Lisa writes….

Filed Under: 5 Star Reads, Classics, Fiction, Lisa

« Journey to the Well
Books on Screen: The Count of Monte Cristo »

Comments

  1. Carrie, Reading to Know says

    June 18, 2009 at 12:19 am

    Great review! This is one of the best classic stories I’ve ever read! One of my husband’s favorites also. What a SKILLED writer and story teller!

  2. Hillary says

    June 18, 2009 at 1:18 am

    This is probably my all-time favorite classic! I’m so glad you read the unabridged version!

  3. Rebecca says

    June 18, 2009 at 1:53 am

    Great review. I couldn’t agree more! This is one of my favorite books. I love it. It may be time for a re-read soon!

  4. Yvette Kelly says

    June 18, 2009 at 2:57 am

    I saw the movie Count of Monte Cristo years and years ago and it was amazing.I am going to look into this!

  5. Laura Navarro says

    June 18, 2009 at 11:01 am

    I have always loved The Count of Monte Cristo – a great book and classic.

  6. Deanna says

    June 18, 2009 at 12:11 pm

    Great review!
    This book is on my TBR list and I plan on reading it July or August. I,too, have heard that one should read the unabridged version. I am glad to read that you did not have a problem with the unabridged version. Especially, since you did take well the unabridged version of Les Miserables (I could not get through that book for the life of me – resorted to Focus on the Family Audio – which was fantastic).

    I thought, at some point, this book was going to be read for the bookclub here at 5 Minutes for Books?

  7. edj says

    June 18, 2009 at 5:46 pm

    I LOVE this book and have loved it since I read it in college, lo those many years ago. In fact, it’s one I re-read fairly regularly. The “pop fiction” of its time, it has such a great story line. Now I’ve got my kids on board. Glad you enjoyed it too.

  8. Laura says

    June 20, 2009 at 3:08 pm

    This is one of my favorites, too! It’s also one that I’ve pressed upon my children, and thus far, three have read it and have loved it.

    Jeffrey Archer recently wrote a modern version of the story called A Prisoner of Birth, and it’s really very good.

  9. Memory says

    June 20, 2009 at 3:59 pm

    Great review! I’ve been meaning to read more Dumas for years now, and I think I’ll make this one a priority.

  10. hopeinbrazil says

    June 22, 2009 at 12:06 am

    I read the same translation and agree with you that Buss did a superb job. Also, you are exactly right when you say it was such a tightly woven story that there were no superfluous parts. Like Middlemarch, reading this book was a joyous chore.

Connect with us

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Welcome to 5 Minutes for Books. We are a team blog dedicated to sharing reviews and information about children's lit, fiction, memoir, and more. Read More…

Reviews

5 Minutes for Books

Jennifer Donovan
Managing Editor

MEET OUR TEAM



Connect With Us


Pinterest

Community

Cybils Logo Draft 3

Disclosure:

Find out about our relationships with publishers and affiliate networks in our full disclosure statement.

Recent Posts

  • Devil’s Delight
  • The Color Line
  • Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun
  • The Greenleaf Murders
  • Chaos at Carnegie Hall

Categories

Privacy Policy    |     Disclosure Policy
Terms & Conditions
© 5 Minutes for Mom

Let’s Socialize

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Pinterest is Our FAVORITE!

Find and Follow Us at
pinterest.com/5min4books

Copyright © 2023 · Tasteful theme by Restored 316