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Rating:  -
The problem is that this is an incredibly bad abridged version. There are a number of problems for instance the fact that it does not make it clear on the front cover that it is abridged. Admittedly I examined my copy and it does say so on the back cover but I do not normally expect people to abridge classics without making it on the front. I avoid reading the back.
Admittedly its not a horrible idea to abridge books. I noticed that most of the positive reviews of this edition are listed as kid's reviews. Perhaps without this simpler version they would have never tackled the 1200 pages especially with the adult content that got cut out.
That's one of the primary problems with this book. While the definition of abridging involves cutting, this version decided to attempt to cut out essential plot points. In this they failed incredibly, jamming the work together in ways that lead not only to bad writing but strong confusion.
Though honestly I can't think of a good abridged version of this book (I really haven't researched this). If you want as close to as possible to the original in English I would recommend the Penguin translation from 1996 The Count of Monte Cristo (Penguin Classics)
Rating:  -
This book clearly states that it is abridged on the back cover. I realize it would be helpful if it was stated on this pages title but that just goes to show you that you always need to do your research folks. I can't vouch for this edition specifically but the first version I read was abridged very enjoyable. I do however prefer the unabridged. Also whenever purchasing a book originally written in another language you should always check for reviews about the translation, there are usually multiple translations of various quality from different publishers.
Rating: -
While it doesn't indicate it, this is a heavily abridged version of the story, and pretty much just deals with the elements contained in the 2002 film. It's still a good story, but gets 2 stars for not indicating that it's abridged, and because even at 1400 pages, the full unedited story by Dumas is MUCH richer and makes for a much more satisfying story. Do not cheat yourself of that satisfaction by settling for 1/3 of the story.
Rating:  -
The Count of Monte Cristo was a Superhero long before Superheros were cool.
A 19th-century cross between James Bond, Batman, Zoro, and Dirty Harry, the title character is a seemingly all powerful and all knowing master of all trades, whether languages, art, chemistry, disguise, psychology, philosophy, theology, international relations, literature, protocol, diplomacy, or combat. But he is also deeply conflicted and brooding man who builds his life around a dramatic quest for revenge against the men who ruined him early in his life, but who along the way darkly questions his decisions and motives.
As a young man, Edmond Dante had the perfect life: a beautiful fiance, a promising career, and dedicated friends. But the jealously of a few people around him combined with some unfortunate circumstances, ruined him, and he ended up jailed for life on the harrowing island prison Château d'lf. After an apprenticeship with learned co-prisoner Abbé Faria, Dantès makes a daring escape from Château d'lf, finds millions the then-dead Faria had hidden away, and then changes his name -- Monte Cristo is the name of the fictional island where Faria's treasure was hidden -- and begins his epic quest for vengeance.
It is not inaccurate to look at The Count of Monte Cristo as a novel about revenge, but it is much more than that. It is a story about love and anguish, about sin and redemption, and about light and darkness. It is also an extraordinarily captivating read, the rare example of important historical literature that is also a good fit for reading on the beach or during airport layovers, and an appropriate read for anyone in his or her early teens and onward into old age.
The book is also a great conversation piece: while I was reading it, at least half a dozen people stopped me to ask what I thought of the story, often with nostalgic and wistful looks in their eyes.
There are some flaws to The Count of Monte Cristo that are common with 19th-century literature: a complicated cast of characters, for example, means the reader must keep up with many names and relationships. And the reader must also employ a willing suspension of disbelief, not only to accept that the protagonist can rise from such humble origins to become so good at everything he does (this is the case with almost all Superhero stories), but also in order to believe that the cast of nefarious enemies in mostly modest circumstances who wronged him at the start somehow rose to become the wealthiest and most powerful group in early 19th century Paris. The neat ending in which no evil-doer is left unpunished and almost no worthwhile personage is not left standing seems too neat and pat, even by today's Hollywood standards. But are these really flaws in the book or of the times?
I choose to think it's the latter, which is why I believe this dark and fascinating story is so important and worthwhile, a real thriller that puts modern representatives of the genre to shame.
Rating:  -
The count of monte cristo is not a ordinary book to read.
Its a very understanding, basic book to read to me and
hopefully for you to. The main things that i like about
this book is in the book their is a character called Edmond
that go's to jail for 16 years becasue he was offerd a job
from a agent that gave him a letter to deleiver to a friend of his that was not to be told to any one and Edmond's freind over heaird the confersation about the letter and turned Edmond in.
After I read that I wanted to find out what happend next in the story and it got better and better as I read. It also has a nice body to the story. It talks you know what will happen next and then it happens and has pictures to explain what is going on in the scene of the story. Another thing that kept me reading this book is their is a part in the story where Edmond and his carrier look for treasure on this island called THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO. I would deffinitly reccomand to purchase this book because it's a very adventure's book to read for us kids and you.
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