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

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

Were you on the W+P readalong or did you join in for 'Anna Karenina'? :)* *

The Napoleon stuff is mostly background tbh, no need to be a massive expert

Caderousse came across as cartoonish in today's chapter, but I agree that he might be a friend to Dantès in the future

Funnily enough I was thinking that they way the scene is described is almost more like a stage direction than just description. It's very easy to visualise the scene and in some way it feels quite similar to reading a bande dessinée book like Astérix.

He might be like Claudius out of "I, Claudius" in that he is pretending to be the fool/cartoonist.

Caderousse came across as cartoonish in today's chapter, but I agree that he might be a friend to Dantès in the future.
He doesn't bear him any ill will unlike Danglars who really has it in for him.

I was also wondering how an accountant could hope to become the captain of a ship?

I was pleased in a nerdy way to see Murat mentioned in relation to Napoleon. He featured prominently in 'War and Peace'.

Caderousse is turning out to be more of a friend to Dantes than he appeared in yesterday’s chapter. Danglars is playing a clever game. The chapter summary suggest Danglars wants to be captain (instead of Dantes) but I am not sure as an accountant that he is qualified to be.

Also thank you @AwardGiselePelicotTheNobelPeacePrize for your explanation and recommendation. I will watch that later.

What an education this thread is. I'm quite enjoying myself.

@JaninaDuszejko It may have appeared to be a silly question, but I know very little about the history of France—except, of course, what little I learned from Les Miserable.
😂Thanks for the clarification. Maybe having an understanding and insight into that time in history would help me to understand the story better.

Although I have to say, its not a book I would have picked for myself but I am enjoying reading it and hearing everyone's views.

There was a lot of support for Napoleon's return in 1815. For background I recommend the recent excellent episode on Napoleon's 100 days from the BBC In Our Time podcast. Support in the 1840s is trickier (not least because he was long dead!) But France was still very torn between royalists and revolutionaries, with further revolutions in 1830 and 1848, so I imagine a lot of people were nostalgic for him.

@LuckyMauveReader the implication of him having the letter is that he is involved in a plot to restore Napoleon to power which would be treason.

I need a little help, please.

Can someone explain why Dante could potentially be sent to prison for not telling the owner of the Pharaon about the letter he received? Especially if he was entrusted with carrying it to Paris.

Fernand has supported Mercedes financially ever since her Mother died so I'm not surprised he's a bit upset about her rejecting him now that Dantes is back.

My book has a historical note, Napoleon came into power in 1799, made himself emperor in 1804, he arrested and executed a member of the Bourbon family, stopping the Royalists wishes of restoration of the throne. He placed members of his family on thrones throughout Europe.
1812 start of his downfall, in 1814 allied forces invaded France and forced his abdication. This is when he was excited to Elba, at some point in 1815 he was released from Elba and marched to Paris.
I’m not reading any further on atm as don’t want anymore spoilers.

Danglars back story is presumably due to the almost duel on the isle of Monte Cristo referred to in the first chapter.

More pantomime villain business today from Danglars taking advantage of Fernand's jealousy. I wonder if Caderousse might be the source of Dantes redemption later on if he's not as drunk as Danglars thinks he is.

Dantes must have known what the letter was about or was he just incredibly naive? Does anyone know the history, was France supportive of Napoleon in the 1840s? There must have been some support for him in 1815 or he'd never have escaped from Elba in real life but what was his reputation like 20 years after his death? We're obviously suppose to support Dantes so presumably by that time the French were pro-Napoleon again and so would be expected to cheer on Dantes even if he involved in a treasonous plot.

So relieved that Mercedes turned out to be loyal to Dantes! Am I right that Fernand is Mercedes first cousin? If so, probably a good thing she’s swerving him.

i agree that Caderousse and Danglars are becoming real pantomime villains.

intrigued as what’s in the letter that has to be delivered to Paris.

Feel that trouble lies ahead - either on the journey to Paris or for Mercedes if she does not go to Paris with Dantes.

In a book about 1200 pages long I think you can safely assume there's a back story 😉

You might if you want to show you are cooling relations

I’m enjoying it so far. I’m listening to an English audiobook, and don’t speak a word of French, so can’t comment on the ‘tu’ and ‘vous’ distinction.

Dantes seems like a likeable young man, a bit pleased with himself - however, he’s marrying his love, and been promoted to captain, so I think we should allow him some happiness. Especially as it’s heavily inferred he and his father have struggled in the past, and it quickly became apparent his father still is. He seems quite naive, but there are a couple of lines that show he’s fully aware of how disingenuous Caderousse and Danglars are.

Obviously Danglars is a villain, so we’re not going to like him: at this point I’m wondering if he’s just a sociopath or if there’s some huge back story (likely).

ETA: I think the narrator is doing a really good job overall. That said, I’m trying to ignore the fact that Caderousse has been given a sort of West County farmer’s accent 🤭

It is about respect and manners at that time. A PP (sorry, can't for the life of me find the reference) pointed out that Danglars uses vous when he is actually speaking to Dantés, but uses tu when he is having imaginary conversations with him and vowing revenge!

Interesting about the 'tu' and 'vous' usage. Would someone move from tu to vous if they were annoyed with someone?

It's funny I also had the thought while reading this chapter that it was very like a play.

Yes @TonTonMacoute I spotted Danglars using 'vous' to Fernand in the text.
Oops! Sorry. Caderousse used 'tu' to him.

I used to teach English to a group of older people who had known each other for years, twenty years or so, and they always used 'vous' when speaking to each other probably because it was more respectful than 'tu'. It struck me as very formal at the time.