The Count of Monte Cristo: Classic or Dud

I mean it's the real weakness of the fact of its serial-releaseoneyspinning release non

feel like that post suffered from some similar padding tbh

oh wait -- I read the abridged version

yeah i def don't remember anything about the previous bandit leader for example. and i still never loved those chapters... i get Alfred's point about their introduction to the present-day Count, but both of the dapper young lads just put me to sleep.

hey, I'm on Franz d'Epinay's side!

Yeah, at times it can remind me of those frustrating episodes of Lost, where they'd leave a character on a big cliffhanger and take half a season to come back to it.

Either way I'm a lost cause with this novel, I love the whole thing to pieces, even the digressions in Rome and the drippy romantic leads. I remember especially enjoying all the bandit stuff. Call it "storytelling overgenerosity".

I love the novel even more than I love the sandwich.

the sandwich is gross tbh

That's just, like, your opinion, man.

My opinion, man: undeniably great but it doesn't half sag in the middle. I just wanted to follow the count's plan but had to put up with Franz and Alfred and Morrel and Valentine (christ!) and Haydee and Ali Pasha and Benedetto and who knows what else for hundreds of pages. I'm sure it's not the 'proper' experience but would be interested to see what the abridged version cuts out. The last third was a great thrill ride, from Nortier's incredible eye to Villefort's intense downfall. Danglars got off pretty lightly though and I'm still not exactly sure what all that business with Benedetto/Cavalcanti accomplished. The trick the Comte played on Morrel, and his justification for it, was abominable.

spoilers, perhaps

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/39/95/87/39958718a7e5cc4218b2ee19b3772736.jpg

i can't remember any of the names ledge mentions...

maybe this one will be readable

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/5e/33/4d/5e334df454f7ef5fa911756d5b550b20.jpg

I'm still not exactly sure what all that business with Benedetto/Cavalcanti accomplished

Wanting to humiliate Danglars by forcing his (possibly lesbian!) daughter to leave? Benedetto does kill Caderousse.

I thought it was going to be the final nail in the coffin of Danglars' financial humiliation when, after the wedding, Cavalcanti's fortune turns out to be a fantasy but that didn't happen.

Benedetto does kill Caderousse.

which is somewhat fortuitous for the count (though he does claim to be merely an agent of providence iirc), and certainly outwith the count's plan of revenge on those responsible for his original imprisonment.

Caderousse is such a tragic but somehow still likeable putz

The "blood from the ceiling" bit of his backstory is such a great moment

The trick the Comte played on Morrel, and his justification for it, was abominable.

Yeah it's true that a lot of the Count's behaviour is unforgiveable or baffling (especially to Mercedes!) and Dumas, by never commenting on it, seems to condone it. But D'Artagnan has similar issues -- as characters, they're both very "you can't make an omelette without breaking a few orphans and their extended families".

I guess it's either satisfying depth of character or storytelling inconsistency, depending on your patience.

I do love the supporting cast and the messy middle of the book, though. Dantes' absences from the narrative make his actual appearances much more exciting.

Caderousse is such a tragic but somehow still likeable putz

yes, from the moment he drunkenly refused to go along with the plot against edmond i was on his side, and disappointed when i learned of his recidivism!

and he's the only villain who begs for absolution

He's definitely the character I had the most (perhaps only!) emotional investment in -- I guess because he's the only character who seems reflective about what he's done? Dantes is like "Have I gone too far in my quest for vengeance? Nah, probably not."

is on TPTV as i type, the old man is just about to die in prison.