countofmontecristo

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The Count of Monte Cristo

Alexandre Dumas

Dumas, Alexandre. The Count of Monte-Cristo. Penguin Classics. New York, New York. 1996.

The Count of Monte-Cristo is a classic novel about a former military commander as he faces the deeds of his past. This staple is truly, one of the best books for its time.

The story is around Bernardo de Riviera, who after many successful military campaigns, was given titles and land in the territory of Mexico by the Spanish monarch in reward of his service. After a long career in the military as an General of the Army, he became a living legend, and not just because of his military brilliance. Over the years, he had seduced many women, and, over the years, had left a trail of broken hearts in his wake. Of these, he had truly fell in love with the beautiful Princess Alessa, daughter of the Italian monarch. When he had left her, she vowed to track him down and kill him, for she had been left to carry their child, Emilio, alone.

Infuriated by this disgrace, and shunned by her country, Alessa handed control of the search to her still loyal General, Leonardo. Leonardo departed at once, and was ordered to kill the Count on sight, using his force of 1,000 men with complement of horses and three ships. When the Count receives a tip from his former spymaster, he embarked on a journey to the United States, hoping for a new life.

Years later, when the revolution in Italy begins, the now Queen Alessa is in danger. Being stripped of her throne leaves her vulnerable to assassination. The Count receives another tip from his spymaster that there will be an assassination attempt on her on her visit to Russia. Acting quickly, The Count, under the alias Alexander Hopkins, plans to kidnap the former Queen before it is too late.

The Count of Monte-Cristo is a very intriguing book, and does well to describe the literature of the era. Sprinkled generously throughout the book are enthralling fight scenes. Though there are a few places that use older dialects of English (thou, wast, thy), it is still readable and very enjoyable.

Reviewed by M. Schoenfeld

4 out of 5 stars.