The Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas ---------------------------- 3.5 Stars

The Count of Monte Cristo was written over 180 years ago, and it's been a book that has been in orbit for much of my life. Probably due to it's age and also it's length, I never felt much motivation to take it on. But, as I have done for much of the past summers, I tend to look for a longer, more challenging book to engage with, so I finally took it on. For the most part, I am happy I did.

Two things to note first. This book feels like it could have been written recently and also clearly two centuries old. There are parts that are action packed and/or are share a clear aspect of the human experience you can't help but connect with it deeply. However, many of the cultural connections and descriptions of life obviously speak to a time in history (19th century Europe) that are foreign to the average reader today. Overall, however, I never felt that the writing style or vocabulary used was of challenge. It's a very well written novel.

The second aspect that stands out is the length - 1,312 pages. That's no joke and it took me much of the summer to finish the book. Unfortunately, the pace is wildly inconsistent. The book starts with an incredible build up and engaging section when the count is imprisoned and escapes. However, the book does not keep this pace and there are large sections and chapters that were tough to get through and not nearly as engaging as I would have hoped. I learned after finishing the book that Dumas (the author) wrote much of the book in a serial format that would get shared with his audience over 18 months. I believe the book was quite popular so more and more "story" was added. 

As shared, there are parts of the book that are difficult to put down as the writing is so explanatory and plot so engaging. The Count is simply an amazing character and nearly every scene he is included in the story is improved by his presence. Unfortunately, also as shared, there are large parts of the story when he is not involved at all. During those absences, I found myself really struggling to engage and enjoy the book. He was present for nearly all of the first quarter of the book and much of the last chapters, and of course, present for much in the middle, but there were large chunks without that presence that made it difficult for me to follow and care about some of the characters.

The other part of the book that stood out was simply how angry the Count was about his being in prison and the people that sent him there. If you know the author Dumas, he also wrote Three Musketeers which has quite a different feel. Oddly, the Count, who truly seems almost godlike in the book and nearly always guided by good ethics and morals, ends up really hoping to damage and ensure full revenge on those who wronged him. There was even a part near the ending where he thought his retribution went too far. Basically, it gets super dark for a minute.

Overall, I do recommend this book though I highly recommend understanding what you are getting yourself into. It's a great story and there are some very dynamic and exciting parts. It also has large parts that are quite slow with no sign of the Count - the best part of the book. The plot is excellent and very well written, albeit parts do feel dated. And, if nothing else, you get to read a true classic and one of the most popular books in European history!