Book Review: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

Edmond Dantes is an up-and-coming sailor whose ship has come in literally and metaphorically. The Pharaon has just returned to France from Mediterranean destinations, one of which was the Island of Elba. Being the early 1800s, Napoleon is still exiled there and the ship's captain had paid a secret visit to the ex-emperor. The captain also became sick and died before returning to France, leaving Edmond to guide the ship to port. Also, the captain entrusted a secret letter to Edmond without explaining its origin. Its destination is an address in Paris. After docking the ship safely, Edmond meets with the ship owner Morrel, who is impressed with his conduct and plans to make him captain. One of the other officers, Danglers, is jealous of the promotion since he thinks that he should be chosen. On shore, Edmond goes to meet his long-time girlfriend Mercedes with the good news that they can be married now that he has very good future prospects. Mercedes has been faithfully waiting even though she's been pestered by her cousin Fernand who has romantic feelings for Mercedes. As wedding plans move forward, Fernand and Danglers ally to bring down Dantes--they hatch a plan to get him accused of treason because of the Napoleon letter. The local prosecutor Villefort sees the letter, which is addressed to a club of Napoleonists that includes Villefort's father. Since revealing the letter will bring him trouble, Villefort has Edmond thrown into jail at Chateau D'If, a seemingly unescapable island prison, with no hope of release. The imprisoned Edmond vows revenge and gets his chance to escape when another prisoner, an old Abbe, tunnels in the wrong direction and winds up in Dantes's cell. The Abbe knows about a treasure trove on the Island of Monte Cristo which they could share if they both escape. The Abbe dies, leaving Dante on his own. From there, the plot follows a fantastic arc where Dantes escapes and assumes the identity of the Count of Monte Cristo. He uses the wealth to worm his way in to French society, befriend his betrayers, and seeks revenge on them.

The story is both exciting and intriguing. Dumas (who also authored the Three Musketeers novels) is good at action and interpersonal drama. Dantes plight is very pitiable, making his slow path to getting justice easy to follow and sympathize with. The story provides enough twists and changes to lessen the seeming endorsement of revenge, especially when he realizes how much collateral damage he is causing for others. The book ends on a happy note. 

Dumas's writing style is very comfortable. He makes some asides and observations that fill out what is going on. Dantes assumes several secret identities though they are fairly easy to spot thanks to the easy narrative.

Highly recommended--it's a fun story that has enough depth to make it very satisfying.