The Count of Monte Cristo is an adventure novel written by French author Alexandre Dumas (père) completed in 1844.
It is one of the author's more popular works, along with The Three Musketeers. Like many of his novels, it was expanded from plot outlines suggested by his collaborating ghostwriter Auguste Maquet.
Another important work by Dumas, written before his work with Maquet, was the 1843 short novel Georges. This novel is of particular interest to scholars because Dumas reused many of the ideas and plot devices later in The Count of Monte Cristo.
The story takes place in France, Italy, and islands in the Mediterranean during the historical events of 1815–1839: the era of the Bourbon Restoration through the reign of Louise-Philippe of France.
It begins just before the Hundred Days period (when Napoleon returned to power after his exile). The historical setting is a fundamental element of the book, an adventure story primarily concerned with themes of hope, justice, vengeance, mercy, and forgiveness.
It centres on a man who is wrongfully imprisoned, escapes from jail, acquires a fortune, and sets about exacting revenge on those responsible for his imprisonment. His plans have devastating consequences for both the innocent and the guilty.
The book is considered a literary classic today.
And this is the second French book translated into English we read here. 🙂 Here it is:
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
You'll find the copy on my 'Club reads' reading list too.
