Count of a Myriad Names

The Count of Monte Cristo is truly one of the greatest works of Dumas' time, and, quite possibly, of all time. He weaves history, philosophy, and general knowledge into a fabulous plot concerning the justice of revenge. The plot is engaging, and though the book is long, Dumas grabs your attention from the first page and carries it through the entire book. So if your reason for not reading it is its length, worry not.

The Situation
Edmond Dantes is the second-in-command of the Pharoan, out of the port of Marseilles. While on a voyage, the captain falls ill, and on his death bed asks Dantes to deliver a certain package for him. The package is addressed to Napoleon, who is exiled on the Isle of Elba. The captain tells Dantes that when he delivers it he will receive another package which he must take to the stated address in Paris. Knowing that M. Morrel intends to make him captain, and that he will marry his betrothed in two days, Dantes is as happy as a man can be...

Danglars is intensely jealous of Dantes, and is the only one of Dantes crewmates who doesn’t like him. Realizing that the ship-owner, M. Morrel, intends to make Dantes captain, Danglars begins to concoct a scheme to put Dantes out of the way...

Fernand is in love with his cousin, Mercedes, who is betrothed to Dantes. She says that she will never marry Fernand; her love for Dantes is too great. Fernand considers killing Dantes to gain her hand in marraige, but Mercedes, sensing his thoughts, said that if Dantes was ever killed she would kill herself. He then begins to look for another way...

M. de Villefort is the Deputy Procurer du Roi (equivalent to Deputy U.S. Attorney), whose father is a staunch Bonapartist. Bonaparte, however, is exiled and Villefort’s father, M. Nortier, is, let us say, not in favor with the court since it is a crime to be a Bonapartist. Oh, what a nuissance his father's politics are...

The situation becomes explosive when, at the request of Fernand, Danglars writes a letter of accusation, alleging that Dantes has conspired for the Emperor’s return. Danglars then wads the note up and throws it into a corner, saying he was joking. Later, as Danglars hoped, Fernand sends the anonymous letter to M. le Procurer du Roi. Villefort is told of Dantes arrest and M. Villefort questions Dantes, then decides to set him free if Dantes will give M. Villefort the package that he was to deliver in Paris. But!...the letter is addressed to M. Nortier! M. de Villefort, to protect himself, burns the package and has Dantes imprisoned, indefinitely, in the Chateau d’lf.

Thirteen years later, Dantes escapes. An old priest, regarded as insane, told Dantes of the location of a vast fortune. Dantes, with the power that money and intelligence brings, searches after those "friends," now powerful men, who betrayed him...

Concepts
What is justice? Is revenge a proper means to deal out justice? Can anyone really be God's instrument of justice? Dantes is at first certain, dealing out revenge with impunity and without remorse. Later, he realizes that revenge isn't always as sweet as it seems...

The revenge that he exacts is also ironic in terms of punishment received in comparison with the guilt of the person. Look for some unexpected things there.

Style
Dumas really develops his characters well. He contrasts Dantes with Danglars, Fernand, and Villefort, using them both as important characters and as foils to bring out the Count's characteristics. Dumas villifies the villains to glorify the glorious. The reader is almost certain to call for swift, strong punishment against those who have acted with such malice against Dantes.

The plot is non-stop. Everything ties together intricately, and as usual with Dumas, in a humorous way (at times). Dumas presents great action, adds to it great characterization, and confounds all by laying bare human capriciousness.

Ratings
Please see my profile page for a short explanation of this system.

Beginning: 10
End: 10
Characterization: 10
Plot: 10
Style: 10

Overall: 10