I have already said many words about The Count of Monte Cristo, since it entered our lives as the final of the four #CannonBookClub choices for 2016. It was a great idea I had, pick 6 books, three male authors and three female, all predating 1920 which had film adaptations, so we could honor our Pajiban roots, and I could easily check a Read Harder Task off the list (I needed to compare and contrast a book with its movie, you see).
Thank you, my fellow book clubbers, because I don’t think I would ever have willingly picked this one up. As it was, knowing my work schedule and family obligations (my sister got married!) I went abridged since I knew I wasn’t going to have as much time as this book probably really needed and deserved. I also had the back pocket win of my friend and yours, crystalclear having voted for this one and deciding to do her INTENSE and awe inspiring review as a backup.
Here’s a secret for you: I really love the story that Dumas is trying to tell with Edmond Dantes. While the revenge plots are fun, interesting, and intricate they really aren’t why I continued reading past the Paris purgatory. While I was watching the 1975 Richard Chamberlin version, Abbe Faria says in a voice over “vengeance belongs to the Lord”, and that he hopes Edmond will turn away from his Arya-like list before it destroys him. This to me was the true heart of this work: what is the cost of forsaking that which matters in the world? The great emotional removal of the Count, his single focus on vengeance, is the destruction of Edmond. Villefort, in his decision to put his own position before the life of another dooms himself. Everyone is made to pay for their turning away from the moral right. Was the Count ethical in his actions, yes. Was he moral? No. I think. You know, I’m still not sure…
This book is dense, and lush, and there is something for everyone. You can take a twirl through the discussion post, or visit borisanne’s review. I hope if you decided to tackle this one you review it, even if you don’t finish. I wasn’t kidding when I said there was plenty to unpack.
One last thing: I have now read the book (abridged), and watched three movie versions of this story. I am convinced that the story in the book is the best, and that the closest version, which was truest to the overarching narrative, was the 1975 version. You know, in case you were wondering. :)
I’m curious to see the 1975 version now. But I feel that nothing can replace Wishbone in my heart. Does the 1975 version have a rolly podium? Because you can’t have a proper trial without a rolly podium. But I hear there’s a shiny jacket, so that could make up for it…
No rolly podium, just fantastic shiny menswear. I feel they are an even trade. I have no hope of removing Wishbone as your and bonnie’s #1 adaptation. MsWas posted the youtube link to the 1975 version on facebook, but a regular search should also lead you there.
I know we discussed the daunting length of this one, but I’m really glad it was the selection too. I went with the original version, and it occupied my mind for a long time. I don’t know if I’M ready to let it go yet!