A fabulous classic featuring revenge, love, and identity switches, The Count of Monte-Cristo by Alexandre Dumas is a lusciously written story. While it is not without grim and slow-paced scenes, this book contains some fantastic observations about the darkness of the human mind.
Introducing a handsome, hardworking young sailor, Edmond Dantès, with a loving father, a promising career as a future captain, and a beautiful girl engaged to him, the novel starts off innocently enough. However, this happiness is not to last. Jealousy spurs two men into action, and Dantès is thrown and locked into a dungeon from which, despite the anguish of his loved ones, he will not emerge for over a decade. Fourteen years later, reappearing into life as the mysterious count of Monte-Cristo, Dantès seeks revenge on the men who stole his youth and happiness.
The language is intense, passionate, and frequently, difficult to interpret. However, beneath its complexity and bewildering plot lies much in-depth insight about how far a person may ethically craft revenge on another, as well as realistic portrayals of struggles with forgiveness and love. The Count of Monte-Cristo is a satisfyingly intense read with admirable character development and philosophical questions about human nature.
4 stars out of 5.
Published through the Teen Review Board of the Hamilton Public Library
May 5, 2020
Link: https://hpl.bibliocommons.com/item/ugc/125265125?ugc_id=1633876760
