As a bit of a kneejerk reaction, I tend to flinch away from classic titles that could double as doorstops. The Count of Monte Cristo is one of those books, and it can seem daunting at first glance. But what many forget (or never realize) is that this brick of a book wasn’t originally meant to be read in one block. Like much of Dumas’s work, it was serialized, released chapter by chapter to the eager public of 19th-century France. In that context, its length makes perfect sense. Each installment had to leave readers hungry for more.
The Count of Monte Cristo plays out like an action-packed soap opera. Betrayals, secret identities, dramatic reveals, high-stakes romances, political intrigue, lavish parties, and duels… it has it all. Edmond Dantès is so unapologetically dramatic, and its delicious.
Wrongfully imprisoned betrayed by those he trusted most, and stripped of the life he was about to begin, Dantès undergoes one of the most profound transformations in literature. When he finally escapes from prison and reinvents himself as the enigmatic Count of Monte Cristo, he becomes a character who embodies some of humanity’s deepest longings.
We’ve all fantasized about shedding our old skin, stepping into a new life, and emerging as someone untouchably strong, wealthy, and mysterious. Right? In this case, living vicariously through Dantès is an incredible ride filled with the intoxicating allure of revenge as he meticulously orchestrates the downfall of those who wronged him. While the novel never lets us forget the moral complexity of revenge, it also acknowledges its raw emotional pull. Watching Dantès take back control, strike fear into his betrayers, and bring about justice (or vengeance) is exhilarating.
The Court isn’t just a man. He’s a legend and symbol of ultimate triumph after suffering. This is why the book has endured for nearly two centuries. Beneath its 1,000 plus pages, it speaks to timeless human desires. It’s a beautiful story about transformation and the desperation of absolute freedom.
If you’ve ever wanted to be someone new, to live richly, or to imaging exacting perfect revenge, The Count of Monte Cristo will sweep you away in the best way.