Bienvenue à Marseille | 2025 The Count of Monte Christo, read-a-long

Thanks!

Yes @EineReiseDurchDieZeit that's right. This is about the Count visiting Albert in Paris, I think.

It appears that the enormously wealthy count chooses to associate entirely with those on the fringes of society - smugglers, bandits and thieves.

However, when you bear in mind that his original downfall was brought about by the most respectable Villefort (apart from the rebel dad) and the two other people who most harmed him are now highly respected and wealthy, perhaps it's not surprising that he prefers the company of bandits who are portrayed as loyal to him.

Re the differences between France and Italy, I have often visited the Côte d'Azur and I am always amazed that when you cross into Italy you are immediately aware you are in a different country, they look so different.

My next chapter is Chapter 39. The Guests The Count still messing with Franz and Albert's heads. Is that about right?

Interesting post, Sadik!
I don't trust Edmond right now. Maybe it's his persona and it doesn't* *reflect on who he is as a person, but he seems capable of doing violence.

The shudder he gave while shaking Albert's hand was presumably because he remembered that he is Fernand's son.

It does feel a bit like we're being hit over the head a bit with the transformation of kind, trusting Edmond Dantes through fairy godfather Sinbad the Sailor, through to the scheming, manipulative Count.

It felt initially as if the stories of gang rape by bandits, and then the execution scene were shocking for their own sake, but they're really underscoring that this is who Dantes has become, through his associates & what he pushes Franz & Albert to watch.
Of course, the question is, does he follow through? Or will we see yet another transformation (I can't remember, too long since I read it!)

Shmoop is all over the place the last few chapters so no idea about chapter numbers but here's today's summary:

The Guests

• The Count asks Albert if Albert would show him around town when he comes to Paris in a few months, and Albert is all, "heck yes."
• But Franz is a little weirded out by the Count and his mysterious island-palace, drug-giving, bandit-saving ways. Franz is like, "Dude, I don't trust this guy – he's weird and he gets all shivery when he has to shake your hand." And Albert responds, "Are you kidding? He's awesome!"

I think Dumas is having a lot of fun depicting the colour and exoticism of Italy.

It's funny isn't it, France and Italy are both catholic countries that are very physically close with lots of trade between them and you'd think that would mean there is less exoticism but it's still there. Although Mary Wollstonecraft's travel diaries from Scandinavia and Germany are full of the colourful differences with England so maybe we've just forgotten how we used to view even our closest neighbours.

I am firmly of the opinion that the Count has planned everything that is happening to Franz and Albert.

I assume that Edmond has set up the whole kidnapping with Zampa. He has used the situation to gain Albert's trust and eternal friendship so he can get access to Fernand and Mercedes.

The situation with Franz is stranger, why would he set up the encounter on Monte Cristo but then never refer to it, or acknowledge that it happened?

Up to date and enjoyed the Carnival and abduction chapters. What’s the significance of the Count’s shudder?

These chapters are very different to the early part of the novel but they're great.

It's interesting that the count is now being presented from a completely external point of view, so we have no idea what's going on in his head - I mean, we have some idea, but on one level, he's as much as a mystery to us as he is to Franz.

@AgualusasLover it's interesting that you mention Edmond's hatred for Albert. Does he really hate him I wonder? I thought it was fascination rather than pure hatred, because Albert isn't just the son of his enemy but also the son of the woman Edmond loved.

The count does want power over Albert and Albert to be obligated to him, that's for certain. I can't work out how many of the plot events the count has been engineering from behind the scenes. When some of you suggested that he arranged for Franz to be taken to the isle of Monte Cristo in the first place, I wasn't sure, but now that idea seems quite convincing. Did he also arrange the kidnapping of Albert, I wonder, or was that pure coincidence?

I think Dumas is having a lot of fun depicting the colour and exoticism of Italy.

Albert's attitude of 'I'm a cool Frenchman and I never lose my sang-froid' is quite amusing. He does come across as enormously shallow and self-centred, but not in a villainous way, just in the oblivious way of a young rich privileged white male.

I did think Albert played it pretty cool though!

Purely pleasure @Buttalapasta

I studied Italian for a year during my degree course and I always said I would go back to it. When I turned fifty I looked around for a class. I love it. It's an online class with occasional meet-ups and our teacher is fantastic. I'm in my second year now and things are going well. I can read a bit of The Count in Italian which is satisfying.

Oooh, hope you are enjoying the Italian class. Is it for work or pleasure?

Ahem...I suggested Sundays off. Might be easier for everyone to catch up that way? (Anyway, I am on Chapter 44, waiting for you all to catch up...😂)

Thanks so I'll try to get to end of 38 tomorrow.

I think breaks are a good idea, I just got off track completely last week!

I read 'The Catacombs of Saint Sebastian' today, chapter 37 @lifeturnsonadime I think it's a good idea to take breaks for catching up. No reason to race through it!

Are we going to go back to a chapter a day? I've no idea where we are supposed to be now? i think I'm two chapters behind everyone else at this point! I'll read those in the morning, if I get to the end of the Carnival chapter am I on track?

I’ve now caught up, enjoying reading everyone’s comments. Edmond is piling debts of obligation onto Franz and Albert. We know he’s interested in Albert as Mercedes’ and Fernand’s son, is Franz simply a conduit to Albert or of interest in his own right? I wasn’t sure why the executions were so dwelt on - is it to emphasise Edmond’s current level of power and influence and his mindset of getting retribution in proportion to the wrongs done him or did he particularly have reason to see the death of the criminal who wasn’t pardoned?

Haha me too @JaninaDuszejko I even wondered if Edmond had hired an entire rent-a-crowd during the guillotine scene. It's making me feel paranoid! But I'm enjoying this masterclass in revenge.

I'm now suspicious of everyone Franz and Albert come into contact with and assume they are all in the pay of Edmund!

I'd fallen behind so used this weekend to catch-up. I agree that Edmond sounds pretty bitter these days, and I'm not getting why he's taking so long with getting his revenge. Also a bit confused about how the beautiful woman at the theatre fits in.

If you go @Buttalapasta please take some pictures and show us!
We were talking about la Carnavale in our Italian class last week as it's almost carnival season over there.