The Count of Monte-Cristo: Volume 2

Alexandre Dumas

Jan 1846 · Chapman and Hall, 186 Strand

Ratings and reviews

Edmond Dantes left his prison cell Through a tunnel they dug (by a narrow squeak). Vengeance chewed into his very soul. He was so obsessed he could hardly speak. Life is a branch on a perilous cliff. Riches are not meant to twist life about. Yet if I were a con in the Chateau d'If I would try like Dantes to get the hell out...But, I'd forgo that awful vengeance stuff. DESTINY'S STAR IS LESS DARK THAN IT SEEMS...DOG-HUNGRY FOR GOLD I'D BE SURE ENOUGH BUT, ONLY SUFFICIENT TO FULFIL MY DREAMS...FROM JAMES MICH

I really enjoyed this book at times, and hated it at other times. But the enjoyment surpassed the hatred in the end. The complexity of characters and multiple plots were sometimes confusing, but tied up nicely in the last third of the novel. It's a piece of book riddled with dull scenes that are necessary to lead up to powerful moments. I don't think I've ever felt as much wonder and sheer reverence towards a character, as I have for the Count. The last 7 or 8 chapters were the sunrise that helped me understand why this is one of the best literary works of our generation. But before that, it was merely darkness, stars and moon hinting to the coming glory.

I read the print edition of this a few years ago and can honestly say it's one of my favourite books, and I read quite alot. It is long and there are parts that don't seem to fit but the book is well worth preserving with.