This one took me a bit more than a week, but it’s over 1200 pages, so I think that’s okay, right?
I enjoyed it a lot more than I expected to. I picked it up because it’s a friend’s favorite book of all time. I was familiar with the story thanks to Wishbone, and was reluctant to read the whole book because of my philosophical objections to the premise. But I found it more thought-provoking and (quasispoiler) not as much of a revenge apologetic as I expected.
The action was lively, the pace gripping, especially given that the book was written as a serial (the last 50-100 pages drag a bit, leaving a slightly weaker ending than I expected, but as a whole, the book sustains itself despite the length). I was fascinated by the parallels between the Count and de Villefort, primarily, as well as the range of villains in contrast to each other – the ones that are strong and somewhat admirable and the ones that are simply weak and despicable. More than just a revenge novel, the book is a complex meditation on the nature of justice and on the varying responses to tribulation. We have the freedom to choose our own response, which then affects how the rest of our life will play out, and we don’t necessarily have control over how our choice affects others. I found the book to subtly emphasize how important it is to choose your response to adversity wisely. I think my reading of the book is heavily influenced by my obsessive devotion to Les Miserables, however, which in some ways is an excellent foil.
I’m tired and rambling and probably creating a massacre of a review. On to something a little shorter and perhaps a little less intense for next week!
Thanks for your post! I have had this book on my shelf for at least 3 years with no real motivation to read it (want to because it’s on my book list…trying to read all of the “classics” among others). Your shared experience with it lessens the intimidation for me.
Our book club read this last year and it was a big hit. I loved the Count! Great story. B.