The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas is by far the longest and most complex book I've ever read. Spanning a total of 1462 pages, it is chalk full of drama and adventure.
The book begins with the main character, a young and naive Edmond Dantes returning from a sea voyage. On arrival he is made captain of his vessel and is set to marry his fiance, Mercedes. Jealousy corrupts the minds of Fernand who wants Mercedes as his own and Danglars who wishes to be captain. Fernand and Danglars plot to ruin Edmond. On the night of his betrothal dinner, Edmond is falsely arrested for high treason. He is sentenced to life in the prison Chateau d'If, by the procurer du roi, Villifort, who has his own reasons for wanting to be rid of Edmond.
After many years in the Chateau d'If, Edmond is befriended by the Abbe Faria who is tunneling an escape route which ends to his dismay in Edmond's cell and not the outer wall. Together they try and carve out a better escape. The Abbe suffers from attacks of epilepsy and on his death bed he shares with Edmond his knowledge of a hidden treasure buried on the island of Monte Cristo. After his death, Edmond takes the Abbe's place in the body bag and is thrown into the sea, free from the Chateau.
Upon finding the Abbe's treasure Edmond is transformed into an extremely wealthy man. He then takes the name, the Count of Monte Cristo and uses his new found riches to seek his vengeance on Danglars, Fernand and Villifort.
Dumas uses unbelievably descriptive words and phrases that make me feels as if I were in France right along side the count. The book, as I said is very complex and encompasses many characters and their history. The Count of Monte Cristo is an amazing book but not a light read. Its no wonder that after more than 160 years it is still a classic.
