I recently finished reading The Count of Monte Cristo
SPOILERS.
It's a fun and well-written book with some minor flaws common to classic literature, like outdated prose and a need for a better editor. Anyways, I interpret the literature as a sort of soap opera possessing a pleasurable and relatively simple premise enriched by intelligible glimpses into the Napoleonic era, aristocratic affairs, and the protagonist’s evolving ideology. The premise centers on a protagonist who elicits sympathy from readers as he seeks revenge or comeuppance against his enemies by becoming a kind of instrument of divine providence.
Yet, while this pursuit may entertain or emotionally satisfy me, Alexandre Dumas also implores readers to question whether revenge is truly a worthy orientation toward life: whether one should remain fixated on such a goal or instead learn to move on and forgive. The Count was, in a way, administering justice or revenge without intending to substitute Divine providence, and there was a lot of unintended collateral damage.
'Tell the angel who will watch over your future destiny, Morrel, to pray sometimes for a man, who, like Satan, thought himself for an instant equal to God, but who now acknowledges with Christian humility that God alone possesses supreme power and infinite wisdom'
Anyways, I like the Count's paternal role to Maximilien and Valentine, Monsieur Villefort as a character, and Edmond Dantes and Abbe Faria's dynamic. Pretty cool stuff.
Now, my criticisms, which are a common community complaint:
I am partly displeased with the Paris and Rome portion, though. Much of it is generally occupied by aristocratic gatherings, affairs, and prolonged social formalities that appear ornamental, though many, including myself, found that some of them ultimately serve a role in the climax of the latter. For example, the chapter about poison or Haydee's backstory; there are a lot of chapters like this. So occasionally, I get bored, as it seems arbitrary and bloated.
It does not help that the book possesses belabored passages; it occasionally feels excessive due to Dumas’s verbose and descriptive prose style. So, this made me lose motivation to continue reading, but I'm glad I pushed through for the final 300-400 pages. Also, I did enjoy Valentine and Maximilien's romance, but it felt cheesy at times. So there's that.
Overall, still a great book, would reread it in the future.
I'm open to discussions.