The Count of Monte Cristo Review - A Concise Book Review, Summary and Analysis

Often quoted as the best adventure novel everread by giving you a perspective on how influential
written, The Count of Monte Cristo is a book thatancient art is on not only the work of the centuries
will seem glued to your hands, for its story is sopreceding our own, but subsequently our own also.
absorbing and captivating you will not put it down. An"He realized that he had gone beyond the limits of
exceptionally woven tale about revenge, intrigue,rightful vengeance and that he could no longer say
justice and hope, it tells the story of a happy,'God is for and with me.'"
honest, respected young man who has it all - aThe Count of Monte Cristo is often underrated in
beautiful fiancee, a new promotion, and loving friendsterms of depth, often reviewed as a light adventure
and family, until he is betrayed by those around himbook. It tackles a concept that is paramount to
and thrown in prison. What follows is one of thecivilized humanity - justice, and the limitations of
most intricate, complex stories ever written,justice systems. The Count in fact becomes justice
abundant with treachery, assassination and abduction;personified, and the various religious undertones of
prepare to dive into the world of bandits, aristocrats,the book almost transform him into a retributive hand
pirates and murderers to name but a few.of God, bringing due penance to his antagonists for
The story is written in the midst of serious,their sins, which the current justice systems of
monumental political upheaval in France, which thesociety cannot impose. Death is seen in this book as
author himself experienced; Napoleon Bonaparte, andan escape from punishment; The Count's enemies
his immeasurable influence during his time, figurescannot suffer what they condemned him to if they
heavily early on in the plot. There are many greataren't alive to experience it. So what follows in this
insights into the old French political life, which playedbook is the execution of his meticulous plan to
such an influential role in shaping the composition ofunravel and destroy the lives of those who wronged
Europe. Dumas also quotes heavily from Ancienthim, and it makes for an enthralling and thoroughly
Greek and Roman culture, which, if this book is readentertaining read.
complete with a sizeable notes section which details"Only a man who has felt ultimate despair is capable
the meaning of each reference, further enriches theof feeling ultimate bliss.