Finished. Blown away. Both by the expected and the unexpected. de Villefort had the sharp end all right and in a way I’m not surprised it affected Dantes so sharply. I didn’t have much sympathy for the missus or the kid though; he seemed like a right brat heading for basically the same life as his half-brother. Sociopathy must run in the family - I did make the connection and saw Benedetto’s real identity right after I met him and understood the set up. But still, Madame and de Villefort junior’s deaths and especially the manner of them gave Dantes pause, so by the time we get to Danglars, he has lost his will a bit. Funny that he always hung his hat on god approving of his actions when clearly the bible teaches otherwise. But religious people will always find an excuse. Still it was fun to see Danglars squirm on the hook. And that letter he wrote to his wife! OMG. That was the highest form of insult and contempt I’ve ever seen - so evil and dripping with hatred. To be on the receiving end of that. Ig.
For everyone else though, we get a happily ever after deal. At least it’s what we suppose when Dantes and Haydee sail off into the sunset leaving Valentine and Morell behind with their millions. I’m glad that Dumas didn’t turn this into a moral tale against revenge in the end; yes, Dantes had his moment of pause, and I think that some of the people who were harmed weren’t deserving, but to have him completely crumble and repent his actions would have really taken the enjoyment out of this book. I mean, who doesn’t love to see a seriously evil jackass get his comeuppance? I think the pull back on the reins was just enough to convey that revenge is tough on the soul without condemning the audience who is enjoying the tale.
Overall it was a satisfying conclusion although the absence of the book and being in that world is something palpable for me. After so long hearing about the situation and everyone’s exploits, it’s weird for it to be done. Even though it is so entirely devoid of reality, I love this book and it is exemplary of what fiction is supposed to do. Definitely an “island book” and though I read it as a most excellent audio book, impressively narrated by John Lee, I will probably eventually buy a nice text edition as well. I can see myself dipping into it for specific scenes - the theater scene where the Count and Albert decide to duel, the poison discussion between the Count and Madame de Villefort, the fights between the Danglars’s - all wonderful and remarkable for their ability to still work and be so effective all these years later. Truly the mark of greatness.
So, if you haven’t read it and you’re still not sold I don’t know what else to tell you except that you might be thick or so incurious as to not have a pulse. If you are sold, go get a copy. I highly recommend the recording with John Lee if you’re into audio, but as far as other editions go, I think most of them use one specific translation by Lorenzo Carcaterra and so will only vary in terms of physicality. Thanks for reading along, I’ll be back to On the Origin of Species, soon as well as my more usual type of reviewing.
For everyone else though, we get a happily ever after deal. At least it’s what we suppose when Dantes and Haydee sail off into the sunset leaving Valentine and Morell behind with their millions. I’m glad that Dumas didn’t turn this into a moral tale against revenge in the end; yes, Dantes had his moment of pause, and I think that some of the people who were harmed weren’t deserving, but to have him completely crumble and repent his actions would have really taken the enjoyment out of this book. I mean, who doesn’t love to see a seriously evil jackass get his comeuppance? I think the pull back on the reins was just enough to convey that revenge is tough on the soul without condemning the audience who is enjoying the tale.
Overall it was a satisfying conclusion although the absence of the book and being in that world is something palpable for me. After so long hearing about the situation and everyone’s exploits, it’s weird for it to be done. Even though it is so entirely devoid of reality, I love this book and it is exemplary of what fiction is supposed to do. Definitely an “island book” and though I read it as a most excellent audio book, impressively narrated by John Lee, I will probably eventually buy a nice text edition as well. I can see myself dipping into it for specific scenes - the theater scene where the Count and Albert decide to duel, the poison discussion between the Count and Madame de Villefort, the fights between the Danglars’s - all wonderful and remarkable for their ability to still work and be so effective all these years later. Truly the mark of greatness.
So, if you haven’t read it and you’re still not sold I don’t know what else to tell you except that you might be thick or so incurious as to not have a pulse. If you are sold, go get a copy. I highly recommend the recording with John Lee if you’re into audio, but as far as other editions go, I think most of them use one specific translation by Lorenzo Carcaterra and so will only vary in terms of physicality. Thanks for reading along, I’ll be back to On the Origin of Species, soon as well as my more usual type of reviewing.
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