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

984 replies

AgualusasLover · 15/11/2024 13:18

Following the success of the continuing Dickensalongs, Fallen Women and various other classics, please join The Count of Monte Christo read-a-long, kicking off on 1 January 2025.

The ultimate tale of revenge, with swashbuckling, chicanery and bare faced lies - The Count of Monte Christo has it all.

Editions: most important point is an unabridged version, coming in at just over 1,200 pages. This thread discusses the various translations – the Penguin Classics, trans by Robin Buss is very popular and the one I am reading but what you have already is likely fine and the nuances of translation are always fun to discuss.

What’s the best translation of The Count of Monte Cristo? • We Love Translations

I’ve been thinking about the best way to read-a-long. There have been red-alongs by the day, in chunks and every which way.

I think we have two options:

There are 118 chapter and my proposal is we do one a day, starting on 1 January, 2025. (W&P and all the Fallen Women books worked well this way)

We could also convene weekly e.g. no spoilers until Sunday and read it as it was released, in 18 parts c.65 pages per week. (I remember The Woman in White worked well this way and so do the Dickensalongs)

For now, I have assumed a chapter a day as it has served us well so far, if the majority strongly object, I have put placeholders in my copy breaking it down and can update in readiness for January.

Schmoop very handily has chapter by chapter breakdowns. Here is the Intro https://www.shmoop.com/study-guides/count-of-monte-cristo/

MN meet up in Marseille 2025!

Bienvenue à Marseille | 2025 The Count of Monte Christo, read-a-long
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15
LuckyMauveReader · 07/01/2025 17:25

@AgualusasLover Phew! I was making dinner and started second-guessing myself.

I have just finished watching a 4 part documentary about Napolean so I now understand the historical context of the book.

I'm becoming quite invested in the book but more so reading this thread every day.

Original poster
AgualusasLover · 07/01/2025 16:56

No no, I was just copying and pasting on the move so didn’t read it at all.

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LuckyMauveReader · 07/01/2025 16:28

Apologies @AgualusasLover if my post came across as snippy. It wasn't intended. 💐

LuckyMauveReader · 07/01/2025 15:52

AgualusasLover · 07/01/2025 15:32

https://www.shmoop.com/study-guides/count-of-monte-cristo/characters.html

this might help @CornishLizard

This character list and its brief description of their roles in the book have many spoilers. I was scrolling through for a reminder and it has given me an insight as to where the plot is going.

I have never read The Count before so I quickly exited the page. For those who have read the book and would like a refresher, it is ideal.

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CornishLizard · 07/01/2025 13:09

I agree it’s a joy to share rictas!

I thought today’s chapter was great after yesterday’s prepared the ground, we keep changing our mind about whether Villefort is to be trusted or not. I didn’t notice at the time but the way the name Noirtier was introduced yesterday to be used today with such impact was brilliant.

Does anyone’s edition have a character list that they would be happy to share please? Mine doesn’t and it’s looking like it’s going to get hard to keep track very soon!

Rictasmorticia · 07/01/2025 12:53

I love this book. I won’t be reading along as I have read it several ties. I am interested in the comment though. For some strange reason it makes me happy to hear of others enjoying it.

Even when we read the same book. DH never wants to talk about it. My DD is the one I share with.

cassandre · 07/01/2025 12:26

I think the portrait of Villefort is very well done. The aristocrats come across as quite self-centred!

I9th c. French history is not my speciality, so I was intrigued by what seemed to be an opposition in these chapters between the monarchist aristocrats and the more revolutionary Napoleon (although I think he turned out to be more of an imperialist than a revolutionary!). So I did some googling to try to find out whether Dumas was a supporter of Napoleon. What I found was a lot of info about Dumas Senior, who was a general under Napoleon but who was treated very badly by him; he was imprisoned apparently and Napoleon didn't try to get him released. So, given this family history, I don't think Dumas Junior would have been an unequivocal Napoleon supporter by any means.

cassandre · 07/01/2025 12:19

Hello, I'm jumping in belatedly! Thanks @AgualusasLover for setting up this lovely read-along and posting the summaries. I wasn't sure at first whether I was up for reading Dumas, because swash-buckling adventure isn't my usual genre, but I'm enjoying the book so far. It's more readable than I expected.

@lifeturnsonadime about French editions, I have the two-volume Folio classique edition, with cover photos of the recent French film. To my surprise, my local bookshop had it in stock (they have a small selection of literature in French). Otherwise I would have ordered it from French Amazon or UK Amazon:
Volume 1 here

I'm annoyed with myself though because I bought the Oxford World Classics translation instead of the Robin Buss Penguin one. There are lots of minor discrepancies between the World Classics translation and the French edition I'm reading, and I worked out it's because it's partly based on the early serialised version of the novel (thanks to @AwardGiselePelicotTheNobelPeacePrize for mentioning that). But also, it's not a recent translation; it's based on an 1846 translation, 'revised' by David Coward. So I'm thinking of ditching it and buying the Robin Buss translation instead (it's only a tenner). That said, the French is easier to read than I expected, so I'm consulting the English translation much less than I thought I would anyway. It's nowhere near as challenging as Flaubert was!

Le Comte de Monte-Cristo 1 (Folio (Gallimard)): Amazon.co.uk: Dumas, Alexandre: 9782070405374: Books

Buy Le Comte de Monte-Cristo 1 (Folio (Gallimard)) 0 by Dumas, Alexandre (ISBN: 9782070405374) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Comte-Monte-Cristo-Folio-Gallimard/dp/2070405370/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2FAR1DPKXTFQM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.VJZhP6fbOSzBcLkXCON1Ka_ZzD6khwvLF0o-pVfAQOowSXVem--gurKHQNUCCWDLUDjXgEniRUj31FQ3RhhxPV0ajYyt8Dg6W0tkwnaT0doNz3XlhaCuE1dxXZd_uKNCQ8Ie1FcMfg4iH9vOGU6BJFMWAKK7x91JNV0AcTUoQO-YkXog4XdcqetRLQtcJzxgOeHBtygsMHU9aAFsVrl7IPGMF8JHBkTlH3cRHNNw5GM.mf1n1LBee2rzWc1cOHnhDhXbd5LmvBNLVUHBN0mEXWY&dib_tag=se&keywords=comte%20de%20monte%20cristo%20tome%201&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1736251693&sprefix=%2Caps%2C117&sr=8-1&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-what-were-reading-5210239-bienvenue-a-marseille-2025-the-count-of-monte-christo-read-a-long

FuzzyCaoraDhubh · 07/01/2025 09:31

Just when things were starting to look up...it's Dantès's word against Villefort.
He seems like a complete innocent but he's very young, poor Edmond.

Edit: that was a nice touch, the letter addressed to M. Noirtier.

Original poster
AgualusasLover · 07/01/2025 08:21

The Interrogation
• After leaving the room, de Villefort puts on his game face, filled with love for his fiancée and the knowledge of his good fortune.
• After receiving a brief from the police commissioner, de Villefort heads down to his office. He is quickly intercepted by M. Morrel.
• Morrel assures M. de Villefort that Edmond is innocent and honest, but de Villefort isn't so easily convinced.
• De Villefort suspects Morrel of harboring pro-Napoleon sentiments, and he lets Morrel know, indirectly, that he should be careful about what he says, before reassuring him that he will do his best to make sure that justice is carried out.
• Villefort makes his way to his office, past a group of policeman and Edmond. Once settled, he calls for Edmond to be brought in.
• Villefort goes through the usual formalities, asking Edmond his name and age, but he is touched when he hears that Edmond, like himself, was interrupted on the day of his betrothal feast.
• As Edmond goes on about his personal history – nothing we haven't heard before – Villefort is struck by the kindness and innocence in Edmond's voice and look.
• Villefort asks Edmond if he has made any enemies; Edmond is surprised. I'm too young, he says, and too innocent to have made enemies. Villefort suggests that all his good fortune may have created some jealousy, but Edmond can't imagine that anyone would do him harm.
• Villefort takes out the denouncement, hands it to Edmond, and asks if he recognizes the handwriting. Edmond does not.
• At this point, Edmond takes a moment to thank Villefort – he can see, he thinks, that the prosecutor is a kind, honest man.
• At this point, Edmond tells Villefort the story – the whole story, everything from his visit to Elba and the letter from Captain Leclère, of his arrival in Marseille, up to his arrest during the betrothal feast.
• Satisfied with Edmond's explanation – if anything, Villefort says, he's guilty of following his Captain's orders and nothing more – the prosecutor asks for Leclère's letter.
• Edmond tells him that it's probably in the packet of letters in front of him.
• Villefort asks Edmond to tell him the name of the person the letter was addressed to.
• Monsieur Noirtier, Rue Coq-Héron, number 13, Edmond says. Villefort is dumbstruck. Villefort makes Edmond promise that he's shown the letter or mentioned the address to no one. He rifles through the papers, finds the letter, and reads it. This only makes him feel worse.
• Edmond asks if everything is OK; Villefort tells him to shut up. After making Edmond promise a second and third time that he has not read the letter or shown it to anyone else, he tells him that he, Villefort, can no longer set him free.
• Villefort goes on to tell him that the main charge against Edmond hinges upon the existence of the letter – which he quickly tears up and burns in the fire. Edmond takes this to mean that Villefort is his ally, but Villefort is really just covering his own you-know-what.
• Deny the existence of the letter, Villefort tells Edmond one last time, and you'll be fine. He calls in the police commissioner and has Edmond taken away.
• With Edmond gone, Villefort thanks his lucky stars that he was able to intercept the letter.
• Suddenly, he has an epiphany. The very thing that could have been his undoing, he realizes, could prove my lucky break.

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TimeforaGandT · 06/01/2025 22:55

I was slightly disappointed to move onto a new set of characters and lots of political talk until the significance became clear.

MamaNewtNewt · 06/01/2025 22:28

I really enjoyed the historical context here and the juxtaposition of the two betrothals, and the very different fates of the two betrothed men.

babybythesea · 06/01/2025 21:11

Equally, if Villefort is lenient, is he not in danger of being accused of having secret sympathies with Napolean? I got the impression that he is going to have to work extra hard to prove he isn’t a revolutionary because of his dad. Any sign of insufficient punishment handed out by him and people will be quicker to jump on him than if he didn’t have that family history.
Which means Dantès is at more risk - which hopefully can be balanced by Renee’s horror!

BiscuitsBooks · 06/01/2025 19:46

Lovely Renee's favour seems to be a highly motivating force for Villefort in this chapter. She seems to be a rather delicate flower who gasps at the idea of heads being cut off (!) so is this hinting that perhaps Villefort will be lenient with (and we know who this is going to be) the next conspirator to be interrogated? Renee says that she wished Villefort were a physician. From then on, Villefort produces some amusingly impressive, is slightly contrived, physician analogies!

JaninaDuszejko · 06/01/2025 19:10

This felt like a bit of history lesson today. Fascinating of course, like the history in W&P.

Good point about not knowing Dantes thoughts yet. I have a feeling (from the 2002 film which DH tells me is a rubbish adaptation) that he's always a bit of man of mystery but lets see if I'm right.

MotherOfCatBoy · 06/01/2025 18:09

Another one glad to see our old W&P buddy Napoléon!
The seriousness of Dantès’ position really becomes clear here - we know as historical fact that Napoléon escaped from Elba in 1815 (remember Dantès said to Morrel that he thought the Emperor/ « usurper » wanted to buy the Phaeron?) and led an army to retake the government and was only halted by the battle of Waterloo, after which the Allies (mentioned in this chapter) did deposit him on St Helena. This is the period just before that so whilst they don’t know what’s going to happen, they know Napoleon still has some support, that the recently restored monarchical government is s shaky, and everyone is jumpy.

Now - does Dantès really have a letter from Napoleon? And if he does, how could he be so naïve as to trot off to Paris with it? And tell everyone?

It occurs to me that we have not yet had a first person point of view from properly inside Dantès head that would explain « what was he thinking? » We know what Danglars and Caderrouse are thinking - what is Dantes thinking?

MotherOfCatBoy · 06/01/2025 17:55

IVFmumoftwo · 04/01/2025 16:11

There is a series of three books set from the view point of his wife, Josephine, written by Sandra Holland that you might like.

Reply to @AgualusasLover

Edited

@IVFmumoftwo Ive read those! Agree they are very good - gripping and exciting, quite a good guide to the early days of the Revolution and the Terror. All from Joséphine’s pov.

TonTonMacoute · 06/01/2025 15:06

I think that in the course of this chapter he conveys quite well how febrile the political situation must have been at the time.

The Terror was only 20 years in the past, after which Napoleon had been the dominant figure across the whole of Europe, the threat of him making a come back was taken very seriously - and with good reason!

@AgualusasLover Napoleon is an absolutely fascinating person and I believe the Andrew Roberts biography is highly rated. I've been meaning to read it since I saw the visually fantastic, but highly odd and disappointing, film last year.

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AgualusasLover · 06/01/2025 13:54

I am totally fascinated by Napoleon. I’ll def be getting some non fiction in some point this year.

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Orland0 · 06/01/2025 13:22

I’ve just listened to today’s chapter… well. When I stop having flashbacks to my A Level history classes, I might cobble some thoughts together 😮

FuzzyCaoraDhubh · 06/01/2025 12:39

This was an interesting chapter with lots of historical background. I appreciated the footnotes in the English edition today.

The Marquise is the last person I would like to sit next to at a wedding!!

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AgualusasLover · 06/01/2025 10:20

A new character!!

The Deputy Crown Prosecutor
• As it happens, there's a very different kind of betrothal feast going down on the other side of town.
• Monsieur de Villefort, Marseille's Deputy Crown Prosecutor – think of him as an assistant district attorney – is getting married to the very wealthy, very aristocratic Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran. The mademoiselle's parents, persecuted under the rule of Bonaparte, are, shall we say, quite happy to have the monarchy restored, and a lot of the conversation at the party revolves around Napoleon and the tumultuous politics of the time.
• De Villefort is the life of the party, verbally jousting with the fiery, feisty Madame de Saint Méran. It comes out that de Villefort's father was a Girondin during the Revolution – which is to say, he was a radical, a revolutionary – but the Saint Mérans haven't blamed him for the "sins" of his father.
• Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran asks them all to move on from the touchy subject of her fiancée's past, and they do. Instead, they discuss the imminent removal of Napoléon from Elba to the far more distant St. Helena – a tiny little island thousands of miles from France.
• They get to talking to about de Villefort's job as a prosecutor. He assures them that it's serious business, a matter of life and death; his work is a kind of duel against the defendant, and his words are his weapons.
• At some point the Comte de Salvieux interjects that the King himself has approved of the match between de Villefort and Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran. Villefort is, of course, flattered.
• Just then, de Villefort is interrupted by a messenger. He returns to the room quickly bearing a letter – the denunciation of Edmond written by Danglars and delivered by Fernand. Since the Crown Prosecutor is out of town, de Villefort is obliged to deal with the case.
• He gives his fiancée a loving look, then takes his leave.

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TimeforaGandT · 05/01/2025 22:14

Lots of action. I had hopes Caderousse was going to turn out to be a better man than the previous chapters indicated but not the case and agree he is weak.

Does Fernand think Mercedes will forget Dantes? Unlikely! Or that he can support her and so she will come to love him? Remote possibility I suppose which becomes more likely if Dantes turns out to be a Bonapartist.

Danglars is definitely the puppet master at the moment.

RazorstormUnicorn · 05/01/2025 21:29

I just can't understand why Fernand would want to marry a woman who is besotted with someone else. Why would you want to know you were second choice?

That's probably a modern viewpoint, but it wouldn't work for me!