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!