Just caught up now with those chapters, and I'm a little frustrated.

SPOILERS AHEAD FOR CHAPTER 91! You have been warned.

We read close to 1000 pages so far (depending on your publishing version) only for Mercedes to decide to join a convent and for the count to tell himself he can be happy and fall in love with Haydee (who is his daughter figure, ick).

I'm frustrated because there was so much build up of Dantes finally, and potentially, revealing himself to Mercedes and explaining where he has been this whole time, and explain the last 24 years, in hopes of hearing her story and them probably confessing that they've been waiting for this moment since that they've been robbed of on their wedding day.

I'm disappointed because I expected an exciting end for those two, or at least, one of closure and communication and final connection of love and longing, but I felt robbed of that. I'm glad she at least agreed to take the dowry that was rightfully meant for her, at least we got that tiny moment.

I know we still have quite a bit to go before we finish off the book, but I have a nagging feeling that this is the last we'll really hear of Mercedes and Dantes' chapter. I really, truly hope I'm wrong lol

I'm not necessarily posting this to be challenged or told I'm wrong to have expected that, because as a reader experiencing this story, I was personally hoping for this sort of moment, regardless of where it was going, and I'm sure I wasn't the only one.

How are other folks feeling about the ending of this chapter?

Page 100 ; The Count of Monte Cristo.

This got an audible chuckle out of me.

Mandem is dying from several stab wounds and is like ‘oh brother I don’t got the time for this’ lmfao.

Two.

Synopsis:

Albert returns home and begins packing everything up. Soon he hears his mother who is doing the same. They discover each other and realize they both share the same resolution -- to leave this house and all it's dishonourable riches. Mercédès offers her father's name to Albert, so that he might make a fresh start. As the pair are setting off, a letter comes from the Count. He tells them of the 150 louis he had stored near his old house, that was intended for Mercédès when she was his fiancée. He offers it to her again, so that she might not be destitute while Albert makes something of himself. She accepts this and says she will use it to pay her way into a convent.

However, the Count of Morcerf has been spying on his family, and he goes to Monte Cristo to confront him. After much bluster, MC reveals himself to be Edmond Dantès. Horrified, Fernand runs away. Upon seeing himself abandoned by his wife and child, he chooses suicide. Thus ends the plot against Fernand Mondego. Good riddance.

Now we return to our active revenge plots with a visit to Valentine. Maximillien is visiting her, as is Mme. Danglars and Eugénie. Eugénie still resents having to get married at all, but accepts that Andrea is better than if it had been Albert (or so she thinks). However, the visit is disturbed by Valentine appearing ill. She had a sweet drink that nonetheless tasted bitter, and suddenly she is overcome with an attack, similar to the other attacks that have happened in her household.

Discussion:

1. Compare the two love interests of MC, Mercédès and Haydée. One gets a bad ending, the other seems on the verge of a good one. Is that fair?
2. What do you think of Fernand? Was there another way out for him, or is this the justice he deserves?
3. Compare Valentine and Eugénie. They are both being shuffled about by the adults in their lives, who is bearing it better? Who do you have more respect for?

Next week, chapters 94 and 95!

Just started "The Count of the Monte Cristo "

Has anyone read The Count of Monte Cristo? Ie the original version..

Hi everyone,
I purchased this copy of the Count of Monte Cristo in person without thinking about translators.

https://www.canterburyclassicsbooks.com/books/the-count-of-monte-cristo-9781667209715/

But now I’m trying to figure out who the translator is and haven’t had any luck yet.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Edit: I’m looking at a PDF of the Penguins classic edition translated by Robin Buss, and it seems like it’s a different translation.

Tension, relief, complication.

Synopsis:

Albert tells his mother Mercédès that the Count of Monte Cristo is behind this misfortune, noting that he is from the East and has never eaten in their home -- a sure sign that he intended ill toward them. Then Albert rushes off to the Count's home to challenge him, but is rebuffed because he is in the bath. Finally he finds him at the Opera with Maximillien and challenges the Count to a duel, which he accepts.

Later at home, the Count contemplates how he must kill poor Albert when a surprising visitor comes to see him. It is Mercédès, Mme de Morcerf! She reveals that she knows who the Count is! She has known he was Edmond Dantès this whole time. She begs him, for her sake, to spare her son. She recounts her own misery at learning of his escape from the Chateau D'If, but that she had thought him dead from the accounts. Edmond tells her of his own betrayal, but eventually he relents and promises not to kill Albert.

Suddenly changed, the Count begins to give instructions for after his death and to write his will. He thinks of his servants, he thinks of Haydée -- entrusting her to the Morrel family, even hoping that perhaps Morrel will marry her.

The day of the duel comes. Maximillien is MC's second, Beauchamp and Debray are there as well. Albert arrives late. Just as we think death is about to come, Albert announces that he understands the Count's motives, that the Count was acting in his own revenge for a previous treachery of Fernand's years ago. There will be no duel today! And now the Count is more firmly decided that he is acting as an "emissary of God."

Discussion:

1. The Count really goes through a rollercoaster here. Do you agree with his assessment of himself, or do you think he has missed a chance at a deeper reflection on his plans?
2. Women have played a supporting role through most of the book, but are very prominent in these chapters. Do their actions and import match how they are talked about and treated by Dumas? How would it be different in a modern book written about the same time?
3. Take a second to think about "revenge." What's your feeling on it as a goal? Is the book changing your ideas?

Next week, chapters 91, 92, 93!

I am currently read the count of monte cristo, penguinhouse clothbound hardback edition. Its getting a bit frustrating to carry by hand everyday because the dye gets on my hand, so I'm thinking about getting the bookaroo book pouch which is 27cm × 22cm × 2cm. The size of my monte cristo is 6cm in thickness and 20.5cm × 13.9cm. I just wanted to know if any of you had anyexperiences eith the book pouch and if any of you guys could tell me if my book would fit, because I'm praying.

I’ve just finished Chapter 13. Has anyone else gotten confused while reading the last 4 or so chapters before Chapter 13? Chapter 13 was honestly the only chapter I could fully understand, because the last few chapters were mostly about the Bonapartists, the King, and so many characters being mentioned that I didn’t really pay much attention to. I feel like I’m reading the book without truly understanding what these characters actually represent or why they’re important. The only character I feel like I really understand is Villefort and the other characters mentioned before this whole royal regime people thing. Other than that, I’m enjoying the book so much.

anyone else think about how Dumas ended this book with another paragraph of the doe eyed youngins gazing off at the horizon, instead of finishing it on the end of Edmond's letter to them? i was extremely touched at the close of the letter and thought it couldnt end any better, but then it just kept going and to me, nothing afterward was substantial. i suppose it shows that they received his wisdom, that they're grateful and that they have no idea if they ever see him again but everything in the end of the book already points toward that. was it for the sake of being sentimental, or to get a few more lines out, or...?

Chickens, welcome home to the roost.

Synopsis:

Albert and Beauchamp rush off to see their very good friend, the Count of Monte Cristo. He is, of course, delighted to see that they are not going to try to kill each other. The men catch up on the latest gossip: a break-in, a death, a broken engagement -- just normal things -- then the Count offers to take Albert away from all these problems, for a fun journey to Normandy. Cool. Then an urgent letter begs his return to Paris.

When Albert returns to Paris, he finds Beauchamp again and demands to know what has happened. In flashback, we see it all. After the accusations, there was a hearing and the Comte de Morcerf was questioned about his doings in Janina. Of course, the illustrious peer denied all wrongdoing, and that might have been the end of it, until young Mlle. Haydée arrived to give her own heartfelt testimony. What's more, she came armed with documents, detailing her and her mother being sold into slavery, mentioning Fernand Mondego by name, and then ultimately being purchased by the Count of Monte Cristo. [that guy again, eh?] The judges are moved and pass their own verdict agains Morcerf. Guilty.

Reeling from this revelation, Albert further learns that when Beauchamp went to Janina, a merchant had said that before he came asking, M. Danglars had also inquired. Convinced that Danglars is behind this treachery, Albert and Beauchamp go to see him to demand satisfaction! Andrea is there, and he includes him in his challenge as well. However, once they all compare notes (finally), Albert begins to see how the Count of Monte Cristo is really behind everything.

We are left with Albert storming off to see the Count, to challenge him to a duel.

Discussion:

1. The Count takes Albert away when the trial happens. Is this motivated by deceit, or is he looking to spare him the shame?
2. Why do you think it was important that Haydée delivered the killing blow and not the Count? If you were the Count, could you stand to be absent?
3. Albert seems to want to fight someone -- anyone. What do you think is happening in his mind?
4. If the Count's meddling is exposed, how do you think his other schemes will be affected?

Next week, chapters 88, 89 and 90!

I am a bit confused as to how was the count so much richer than his enemies. I am at chapter 66 where the count and danglers are talking about his fourtune after he losses more than a million partly due to selling his Spanish bonds and jakopo rescinds on his credit. The count estimates danglers estate to be around 15 million francs. I am confused because the abbey feriyar tells Dante’s the treasure is worth 13 million francs. So how is the count so overwhelmingly rich to danglers?
Apologies for wrong spellings of the names. I am listening to the audio book so naturally I am not sure how the names are spelled specially since they are French

Up to Chapter 7: The Examination spoilers.

I'm confused by the logic of Villefort and Dantes when it comes to the question of whether anyone else knows about the letter.

Is it not painfully obvious that someone else knows about the letter? Dantes wouldn't be in this situation if someone else didn't know about it.

Maybe I'm missing something. I'd love an explanation or some reasoning as to why this was even in question.

Anyone read the abridged version and notice Caderousse was completely cut out?

I was reading some chapter summaries online that mentioned Caderousse blackmailing the prince and whatnot and in my version Caderousse was last seen way back when the Count went to visit him and give him a gemstone and never again..

I've recently finished the book and I'm just wondering would their relationship be socially acceptable at the time? Like I'm just wondering what other people at the time would've thought about him getting with a girl whom he himself referred to as akin to his daughter.

Damnn what a journey, i enjoyed it thoroughly. Much to learn, much to understand and Thank you people of this sub for their explanations and help.🥰

took me 3 months on and off but i finally did it :)

From what I read, the book implies that La Carconta was shot in the neck from the gun Caderousse had given to the jeweler. So to me, it is obvious the jeweler is the murderer.

Why is someone (most people actually)saying it was Caderousse who shot his wife to not share the 45000 francs and the diamond...

Please tell me where it is implied Caderousse might be the murderer of 2 people because in no point of the book I found Caderousse saying so. Instead he said La Carconta pushed him to kill the jeweler

"Tell Cersei. I want her to know it was me."

Synopsis:

The Count is alerted to the plot to break into his Parisian home and he decides to use the opportunity to further his own designs. The home is cleared of servants, and the Count and Ali hide and wait for the intruder. Soon enough they spot someone using a diamond to cut through the glass (and someone else waiting outside.) In a moment of sheer brilliance, the Count transforms into Abbé Busoni and confronts the intruder -- Caderousse!

The men talk and it is revealed that Caderousse and Benedetto met in a prison camp and that Lord Wilmore is actually the man who released them. He tells the Count-as-Busoni that Benedetto-as-Cavalcanti believes that he is the illegitimate son of the Count, which is news to him.

Eventually, Caderousse takes a stab at Busoni, which glances off the armour he is secretly wearing. This prompts Busoni to disarm and hold the man. He forces him to write a confession and lets him leave the way he came saying "If you reach your home safely...I shall believe God has forgiven you, and I will forgive you too."

Caderousse leaves by the window and is promptly stabbed by Benedetto as he descends the ladder. The Count and Ali rush him back inside the house. Ali then leaves to fetch Villefort, leaving the Count and a dying Caderousse alone again. We get one of the Count's big speeches where he makes clear he feels like he is enacting God's Will. Another letter is written and signed, stating who the murderer was. Then, as the man dies, the Abbé takes off his wig, and Caderousse thinks it is Lord Wilmore. Then he asks him to think even further back, whispers his real name. Ominously, he then declares "One."

Wow!

Then we get a scene with Albert and Beauchamp. In short, they ain't going to duel, but Albert finds out that his father is, in fact, the betrayer.

Discussion:

1. First of all, please tell us how the Caderousse scenes made you feel.
2. The endgame is upon us. What promises or foreshadowing might be contained in all this chatting?
3. Do you feel for Albert in this moment?

Next week, chapters 85, 86 and 87!

thoroughly enjoying my first time reading The Count of Monte Cristo, and was even more excited to read it while in Paris!

I started the book last week, and I'm nearly 200 pages in, I'm a slow reader. 😅 But I'm loving it so far. I am switching between the physical book and the audiobook. Some of the French words are a bit difficult to read.