The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
Hi! My name is Madeline, I am twelfth-grader living in the Wood River Valley. I enjoy playing the violin, reading, and writing.
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, is a classic tale of revenge that enthralls readers to this day.
Edmond Dantes has it all: a girl he loves, intelligence, and a bright future as the captain of a ship. Though well-liked by most, not all are happy for his good fortune. There are even some who would benefit from his demise, including a man who is in love with Edmond’s fiancée, and another who envies his bright career. The two devise a scheme to strip Edmond of his future. On his wedding day, the plan is enacted. What should have been the happiest day of his life is turned into a nightmare when he is falsely accused and thrown into the dreaded prison, Chateau d’If, with no hope of freedom. As he languishes in his cell, Edmond pines for the life which was so cruelly taken from him, and vows to take revenge upon his unknown enemies, if only he can escape.
Though the Count of Monte Cristo was written in the 1800s, it reads like a modern novel in many respects. It has a fast-paced plot and three-dimensional characters. I was almost never bored during the book’s 3,000-plus page duration. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to begin reading the classics, but is daunted by their older style, and to anyone who wants to go on an adventure full of mystery, intrigue, and suspense.
