I've just finished too. Wow, that was quite a wild ride.
Congrats on your new job, @AgualusasLover , and thanks so much for hosting the read-along! I loved the book and never would have read it on my own; I had no idea I would enjoy Dumas so much.
@CornishLizard I meant to reply before now, but I loved your insight into the importance of memory for Dumas, and the idea that not remembering was in itself a moral failing. As you say, it's significant that Mercedes is the only person who remembers the Count. And the Count's return visit to the Chateau d'If is all about memory as well. I read somewhere (wikipedia?) that Dumas was very upset by Napoleon's failure to remember the loyal military service of Dumas' father, and come to his rescue when he was imprisoned.
Speaking of Mercedes though, I also found the chapter where Mercedes blames herself excruciating to read. Enough with the self-flagellation! She was told that Edmond Dantes was dead FFS! What a depressing model of ideal femininity, the idea that if your fiance dies you should remain single for ever.
I also agree that the Haydee/Count love plot is cringey in modern terms.
@JaninaDuszejko I didn't know that about the Eugenie subplot being cut out of the early English translation; that's fascinating.
I feel as though there was a bit of psychological development in the Count's character; he was slightly more humble at the end, and seemed to have moved away at least slightly from his belief that he was God's Chosen One. I also really didn't expect him to let Danglars escape alive.
The melodrama does last all the way to the end, with the letter informing poor Valentine that by the way, her father is insane and her brother is dead. !!!
I liked the way Morrel's visit to the cave and drug-induced stupor brought back the earlier scene of Franz's hashish trip.
To me, the novel was a lot of fun because it was just so over-the-top in parts. It's as though Dumas never asked himself whether any plot development would be too implausible, too far-fetched or too sentimental. He just let himself go 😂
It's like a 19th c. blockbuster. I would say that it contains a lot of powerful insights into human nature though, despite the sensationalism.