The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
Published by Bantam Dell
Originally published in 1844
Synopsis:
Set against the turbulent years of Napoleonic era, Alexandre Dumas's thrilling adventure story is one of the most widely read romantic novels of all time. In it, the dashing young hero, Edmond Dantès, is betrayed by his enemies and thrown into a secret dungeon in the Château d'If—doomed to spend his life in a dank prison cell. The story of his long, intolerable years in captivity, his miraculous escape, and his carefully wrought revenge creates a dramatic tale of mystery and intrigue and paints a vision of France—a dazzling, dueling, exuberant France—that has become immortal.
Review:
This book is great, to put it in simple words. Its theme of revenge is simply tragic, yet marvelous. Like any other Dumas book, I didn't get much at the beginning because of the words chosen for that matter. Once I started going into the story and getting everything, the book turned out to be amazing. I seriously loved the story and all of the full emotions it gave me.
So, a little bit of the story, Dantès is the main character and he is full of vengeance toward several people due to the bad things they made him live—without caring about what happened to him. It is not a spoiler, even though it might sound like it, but Dantès has several disguises in order to take his revenge on people without them knowing who he actually is—although he is pretty unrecognizable after many years.
About the book, the physical copy I received at school actually, I felt it was all right. The paper, typical for this sort of books, mostly seen in those copies of Jane Austen or Alexandre Dumas types of books, was fairly nice. The font though, I might start taking some eye tests, because I felt like I had to close my eyes one too many times for this one, but sine it is a very long story, the font's size is understandable. Over all, the physical never bothers me that much when I am really into the books, but during this one, I felt that it gave a bit more of realism to the story (which in some cases, that is why they choose that type of paper).
Now, I advise you to read the book first, as I always do with any book that has a movie afterward. I do this because of the fact that the book is so full of imaginary characters and feelings and drama you can think of without having to look at pictures. But, it is your choice, if books aren't for you, there are two movies you can take advantage of for creating in you a feeling of vengeance over those who hurt the main character.
Quotes:
Highlighted when reading and others...
“For all evils there are two remedies - time and silence.”
“Fool that I am," said he,"that I did not tear out my heart the day I resolved to revenge myself".”
“Now I'd like someone to tell me there is no drama in real life!”
“Unless I die, I will always be what I am.”
“Curiosity! What a terrible word to use.”
“For the happy man prayer is only a jumble of words, until the day when sorrow comes to explain to him the sublime language by means of which he speaks to God.”
“Ah, that's human nature! Here's a man ready to chop another man's self-esteem to pieces with an axe, yet he cries out in pain when his own is pricked with a needle.”
“How did I escape? With difficulty. How did I plan this moment? With pleasure.”
“I am not proud, but I am happy; and happiness blinds, I think, more than pride.”
“All human wisdom is contained in these two words - Wait and Hope.”
Resources:
Quotes - Highlighted and from GoodReads
Synopsis - Directly from my copy of the book and from Wikipedia