The Cound of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

by Charmiane Marie M. Nuqui
(Bacoor, Cavite, Philippines)

The Count of Monte Cristo covers up different genres all in one. It's a timeless classic which make it more original and simple. And Alexandre actually based his characters from the persons he met in his life. The main character himself, Edmond Dantes was based from a real-life man. In the start of the story, everything was perfect. Edmond became the captain of the Ship Pharaon and was betrothed to the love of his life, Mercedes, the Catalan girl. Glory and love were uniquely combined in the first few chapters of the book. And all of a sudden, his life was utterly changed forever. This part makes the reader even more eager to continue reading without having a break because you'll feel like you missed the whole thing. You'll really feel being Edmond. No feeling was missed to be written. You'll also be learning a lot of things you won't be able to gain in any other book. Experience, it can be but it's better to have the first impression with the book. In the middle of the story, there would be overwhelming surprise on every situation that happens from the plotting of The Count up to putting it into action without even doing anything. Everything falls together perfectly. The descriptions and names of the characters matched making you more mesmerized. I was really shocked knowing the exceeding limitations of what a man can do against his will or against his own fate. You'll understand better how you deal with providence or it'll be dealing with you. The story may seem long having a hundred chapters and a thousand a seventeen pages but it's worth your time. This broke the tradition of happily-ever-after-fairy-tale-endings and made it a completely different happy ending with self-sacrificing love, a never-ending love, reconciliation not just with the people you've stepped on but also with God and the most important lesson of all, wealth, reputation and selfish sacrifices won't do any good and wouldn't save your soul if there aren't any space left in your heart not just for love but also for every fruit of it and change. You'll surely be dreaming of this for weeks after reading it. A timeless classic. An original page-turner. A complete life-changing story.