The Count of Monte Christo

[Sausagenbacon]

The Guardian has published 2 '100 best books' lists, one from publishing professionals, one from readers.
TCOMC is in both.
Has anyone read it? I read widely, but wouldn't consider it. Am i missing something, or are these lists populated by books people like to say that they have read?

The original is incredibly long! I read an abridged version when I was a kid and loved it, but haven't tried it since. My DH read the full thing a year ago and I think it took him several months to finish (partly as we read in bed, so he tended to fall asleep!)

It’s a fantastic revenge thriller, but it is long and some translations are clunkier than others. I’d opt for the Robin Buss translation. I read it at university and later on went to the Chateau D’If which was brilliant. Also it’s Cristo I think?

I've read it. I thought it was pretty good and it's very readable, although I got rather bogged down about 3/4 of the way through. Dantes is just so clever and he's thought of everything and I got a bit fed up with him and his vengeance tbh. It goes on and on and I just wanted to say to him 'Let it go FGS! You've lost enough of your life to this. Just move on and have a happy life'.

I started it several times and couldn't get into it. Then I read it 2.5 years ago and wondered how the heck I had never managed to finish it before. It's easily in my top 10 favourite books and I think about it so often. Really wish I could read it again for the first time.

There was a readalong on here last year - a chapter a day. It was difficult not to read ahead as it is quite exciting!

I loved it - but I’ve only read it once. It’s so chunky it feels like a commitment. It’s very readable and a cracking tale.

I was on the readalong last year and loved it. It's a rip roaring adventure story, even though it's long - remember it was written at a time when there was no tv or internet.

There are elements that are definitely rather uncomfortable now, but the overall themes of revenge and redemption are timeless

I really enjoyed it, but it's fine if it doesn't sound like your cup of tea OP. Lots of other books to read!

I only got so far and gave up. I'm afraid I found it a bit slow, did the same with the Moonstone as well.

Will try again some time in the future

Oh do stick with Moonstone, it's brilliant. Maybe The Woman in White might be a better introduction to Wilkie Collins to start with?

I have read the easy reader's French Version. I had a crack at the original. Beyond my level of French.

I am just settling for watching the TV series.

I did manage to read L'étranger in the original French language.

It's a great adventure story so a fun read with lots of twists and turns.

it's a brilliant book but it takes a while to get going but once you are into it, you barely notice the length as it's lots of stories within stories. Definitely worth reading but I'd start it when you have some time to spend to reading a few chapters into it otherwise you won't get into it properly.

Still one of my all-time faves. Love it!

Make sure you get a translation that has notes at the back as there are references that need explanation. The Penguin Classics one is good.

Definitely if you want to read it do read a full version and not an heavily cut or edited one.