RECOMMEND (4)

The Count of Monte Cristo By Alexandre Dumas

Just to start I have to say "Wow". This book left me amazed and chatting about it immediately after I read it! It is a classic. An amazing book. A very long read...but worth every letter.

Do you believe in karma?

This question is important because The Count of Monte Cristo is primarily about the power of karma, you reap what you sow, do unto others as you would have done on to you and so on. The main reason why this story is so successful is because of this universal theme and seeing it to do its work. For a snippet here is a synopsis.

Synopsis (from Goodreads): Falsely accused of treason, the young sailor Edmond Dantes is arrested on his wedding day and imprisoned in the island fortress of the Chateau d'If. Having endured years of incarceration, he stages a daring and dramatic escape and sets out to discover the fabulous treasure of Monte Cristo, and to catch up with his enemies. A novel of enormous tension and excitement, The Count of Monte Cristo is also a tale of obsession and revenge. Believing himself to be an 'Angel of Providence', Dantes pursues his vengeance to the bitter end, only then realizing that he himself is a victim of fate. One of the great thrillers of all time.

I love the well-written classics, and this one fit the bill perfectly. It is an intricately woven, well planned story that was executed to perfection. From the very beginning I was enthralled with the writing becoming engrossed in the plight of the main character Edmond Dantes (who comes into wealth and becomes the count of monte cristo ). As a reader you become immediately attached to him and feel for his plight as he is conspired against and taken to prison for a crime he didn't commit and on his wedding day no less. When he is taken to prison and spends the entire first night standing in the middle of his cell, crying and alone, it broke my heart and I felt for him. As a reader you are on the rollercoaster ride being taken from the highest high (wedding) and then lowest of low (incarceration and imprisonment in the infamous chateau d'If). And then up again as Edmond goes on his journey to seek revenge against those that have done him wrong.

This action packed epic has everything from romance, betrayal, murder, blackmail, triumph, disguises/deception, politics, power, greed, suffering, intrigue, resurrection, fortune, revenge, and redemption!

Here is a just a taste of the excellent writing:

"There is neither happiness nor unhappiness in this world; there is only the comparison of one state with another. Only a man who has felt ultimate despair is capable of feeling ultimate bliss. It is necessary to have wished for death in order to know how good it is to live.....the sum of all human wisdom will be contained in these two words: Wait and Hope."

And I waited and hoped that this book would live up to my expectations. It has exceeded it and now it is among one of the best books I have ever read.

I would highly recommend this book. If you haven't read it, do so. Immediately!!