Count of Monte Cristo (Volume 1 and 2) (Unofficial Translation)

Author: (French) Alexandre Dumas
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-01-01
Features: If a public opinion poll were conducted, asking which popular novel in the world has the most readers and has remained a bestseller since its publication, quite a few people would probably answer The Count of Monte Cristo. Anyway, The Count of Monte Cristo caused a great sensation when it was serialized in Le Journal des Débats in 1844 and has been a bestseller for over a century. It has been translated into countless languages, published in billions of copies, and read by countless people, making it difficult to keep track. Such a time-consuming and labor-intensive large-scale survey would naturally not be organized by anyone. However, during the translator's stay in France, the homeland of Alexandre Dumas, they participated in a unique and amusingly exaggerated survey questionnaire.
The Count of Monte Cristo is the masterpiece of the French novelist Alexandre Dumas (1802–1870). It is quite remarkable that a novel of over a million words can be so engaging that readers do not feel it is long. It is even more remarkable that a popular novel depicting the theme of revenge—a theme that has been repeated countless times—can remain a bestseller for over a century. And The Count of Monte Cristo has achieved both of these "difficulties," making us marvel at Alexandre Dumas' exceptional storytelling art and regard this novel with fresh eyes.
The Count of Monte Cristo tells the story of Edmond Dantès, also known as the Count of Monte Cristo, who avenges the three men who wronged him—Villefort, Danglars, and Fernand, who later become prominent figures in the judiciary, finance, and politics, respectively. Due to the novel's intricate and thrilling plot, full of danger and unexpected twists yet still within the realm of reason, it captivates readers and makes it hard for them to put it down, which is hardly surprising. Additionally, the three distinct revenge stories, all about the triumph of the righteous over the wicked, naturally bring great satisfaction and relief to ordinary people who often suffer injustice yet feel helpless. This novel not only offers readers a thrilling adventure but also allows them to experience a sense of revenge in a dreamlike, way. How could such a novel not be loved?
A sociologically inclined critic might argue that the novel exposes the darkness of the French judiciary at the time through Dantès' tragic experiences, making it a progressive work. This is certainly true. Critics who place greater emphasis on the art of the novel itself would notice that the plot is arranged in a complex, unpredictable, and dramatic manner, yet remains coherent and interconnected, fully demonstrating Alexandre Dumas' extraordinary imagination and structural talent as a great novelist and playwright. From the perspective of literary criticism, this is a masterpiece of flawless construction.