Dumas really was an author who liked to create an atmosphere along with his story. There are moments where the story lags, but never once was I tempted to abandon the story. It's just too good a story for that.
What's the price of revenge? Does a person who is wronged in a horrible way, his whole life taken away, have the right to seek revenge on those who wronged him, and still find happiness? This is what Dumas explores in this book. It's actually an excellent example of karma...what goes around comes around. In the end I feel (and apparently so did Dumas) that Monte Cristo (or Edmond Dantes) performed enough good deeds amidst his revenge to warrant him happiness in the end. Although I was a little weirded out that he ended up with Haidee. I guess my only cinematic viewing of the story, the 2002 version of the same name, had me liking that ending better...for Dantes anyway. I'm due for a rewatch since I've now read the book.
I'm not going to go into more detail with this discussion. Frankly, I'm exhausted, yet feeling accomplished that I finally finished. Now have to save my energy for Les Miserables.
So, what did you think? Any thoughts on what I said above, or further insight beyond what I mentioned? Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments.
The official start of the Les Miserables read-along was the beginning of this month, but I had not got around to posting the schedule yet. It is now live and you will find the post here.
Hope you will join us for another French classic. Les Mis is really one of my favorite stories.
Congrats on finishing this long read, in the midst of, well, life!
ReplyDeleteI think you are right that Dumas wants readers to consider the morality of revenge, and perhaps question it. At the same time, he makes Edmond so sympathetic and his plight so unjust, it is hard not to see the villainous characters the way he does. It seems to me that Edmond remains an exile from society and from his country, in his mind, and the wealth he acquired doesn't fix that. Perhaps the love of Haidee will help. I was sad that Mercedes and Edmond couldn't repair the damage caused by others.