Bienvenue à Paris - The Count of Monte Christo, thread 2

That's very true about religion being an intrinsic part of the European Middle Ages, @JaninaDuszejko . Anyway I'm keen to go back to the novel and start it again with a fresh eye. I''m sure I'll get more out of reading it as part of a read-along; I always do!

There is a lot about religion in the book but as an athiest who grew up in a not very religious household I only read it as period appropriate. It's a hundred year old book set in the 14th century, religion is naturally a big part of the story.

I'm looking forward to getting started.
I'll be reading it on Kindle.

I actually bought the whole trilogy a few years ago at @JaninaDuszejko 's recommendation! But at the time the 3-in-1 volume wasn't available, so I got the three separate Penguin volumes, and they were shipped to me all the way from the US (?!). Clearly it's easier to get your hands on the books in the UK now.

I never finished reading the trilogy but am keen to go back to it now. I recall being a bit troubled by what I perceived as implicit religious conservatism on the part of the author (she converted to Catholicism while writing the books I think). But I'm hypersensitive to that, because I grew up in a nutty right-wing fundamentalist family and have a bit of PTSD as a result (I'm only half-joking!). So will try to put aside my prejudices and read with an open mind.

I have received my physical copy but am on holiday until 3rd so will be playing catch-up as the book weighs a ton so didn't bring it with me.

Don't want to rush you, but the 1st is on Tuesday. It would be good to get a thread up to get some more people on board.

I’m away until the 5th but will start reading as soon as I return and catch up!

Blackwells has multiple copies of the omnibus. They also have the individual books in the trilogy for those who prefer their books a more manageable size.

Yep, 1 July. Will start a placeholder thread, when I actually get hold of the book, which has proven more difficult than my access to really quite well placed bookshops suggests it should be.

July, I think, @Buttalapasta 🙂

Hello everyone. I dropped off the thread as I finished the book early but have really enjoyed reading everyone's insights. I wasn't going to join in with the next one as I really struggled with the pace this time. I was always way behind or way ahead! I'm also running a book club this year so have to really prioritize those books. That said, this one's been on my tbr list for yonks so I am going to give it a go. When do we start?😀

i think I’m so far in I’ll finish it now and it is fascinating, but I can’t say I’ve enjoyed it really.

Mitford is pretty high handed in her commentary - she put me off a bit when she said Louis XV’s Queen was « old and boring » for not being as keen on court life after she had borne him ten children. Ten! I thought, You bloody try it and then see how you feel about balls and gambling and dancing!

I read APoGS a while ago now. I had abandoned it quite early on (describing Camille's childhood and youth) but eventually went back to it and just roared through it.

I did know quite a bit about the history, which helped, but it's a strange and bitty book, with some characters suddenly disappearing. I remember developing a deep, visceral loathing for Antoine St Just! It was a totally insane period in history.

I have lent it to a few people who couldn't get on with it at all, mainly people who loved WH.

It’s definitely quite a project. Don’t think I’d be persevering without the readalong. I bought it from Oxfam and the volunteer said it was hard work! She had read a history alongside it - the podcast is working well for me as I wouldn’t want to read a NF history with it. I’m hoping to stay the course having got this far as it’s been on my list for a long time. Had intended to get ahead with PoGS before the KL starts but haven’t managed that! Madame de Pompadour looks interesting.

Yes @CornishLizard I am too. I’m finding it heavy going tbh. I loved Wolf Hall etc but am finding APOGS more confusing, trying to keep track of everyone, and I think it suffers from having three protagonists instead of one.

I follow the notes but also haven’t commented : I got more out of those readalongs on Insta as the commenting was more immediate.

It’s part of a French stack at the moment; I’m reading Simon Kuper’s Impossible City about modern Paris and Nancy Mitford’s Madame de Pompadour as well. Paris is the constant and I keep jumping though the same places in different times!

That sounds cool @CornishLizard

I am not sure I could keep up with anything else, or add another platform to my life - well not right now anyway. Definitely something to consider in the future.

Ha ha 😄😄

Is anyone following the Footnotes and Tangents readalong of A Place of Greater Safety? I am, have managed to keep up so far, and am enjoying the book. I enjoy Laclos being a character in it after our Liaisons readalong! Have been listening to the podcast he recommends (Revolutions) which has helped. I really enjoy the weekly updates but haven’t joined the chat. Is a very different experience from the readalongs here.

To be honest, it’s £10 cheaper on Kindle but for some reason I feel I need a physical copy

My copy is due for delivery tomorrow!

You might be causing a little run on it as all MNers order it at once!

It looks like such a nice copy. Foyles in Charing Cross Rd told me that Waterstones in Piccadilly are the only place in the whole of the West End/vicinity with it in stock - and they have FIVE copies.

@AgualusasLover
Here it is - weighs a ton! Just over 1100 pages all in.

I have ordered KL off Bookshop.org - they have a paperback with all three volumes for £20. Plus if you order this weekend they have a £250 prize draw.

I went to a bookshop today and they did not have KL. Will try Foyles tomorrow and then start a thread.