The Count of Monte Cristo

By: Alexandre Dumas

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 46 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award, Solo Narration - Male, 2009

Dashing young Edmond Dantès has everything: a fine reputation, an appointment as captain of a ship, and the heart of a beautiful woman. But his perfect life is shattered when three jealous friends conspire to destroy him. Falsely accused of a political crime, Dantès is locked away for life in the infamous Chateau d'If prison. But it is there that Dantès learns of a vast hidden treasure. After 14 years of hopeless imprisonment, Dantès makes his daring escape and follows his secret map to untold fortune. Disguised now as the mysterious and powerful Count of Monte Cristo, Dantès seeks out his enemies - and nothing will stand in the way of his just revenge.

Filled with thrilling episodes of betrayal, romance, and revenge, The Count of Monte Cristo is one of the greatest adventure stories ever written.

Public Domain (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Slow starter, but a classic worth reading today

At first I was deterred of really getting into this novel by all the French names. But the character of Edmund Dantes became quite compelling, especially during his years in captivity. The second half of the book seemed to go off on long tangents as he seeks his revenge, but by then I felt bonded to the main character enough to enjoy it. I would, like another reviewer, recommend printing out a list of who is who as in the second half of the novel many of the initial character names had changed, and as I was listening it took me a spell to figure out who was who in the later narration. I do recommend this book to someone who wants to read a classic that has a compelling story. If you don't like long novels or stories that don't stick closely on a straight and narrow task, or if you dislike a great deal of verbosity that could be expressed more simply, perhaps pick a different novel. I also would add that while the character of Edmund Dantes was very well developed, there were a great deal of periphery characters that were hard to keep track of at times and were delivered through Edmund's perspective so we don't meet them with the same intimacy. The reading of this story by John Lee was excellent and is the reason I originally selected the novel.

Timeless

What did you love best about The Count of Monte Cristo?

One of the best stories I've ever read/listened to. Hands down. The movies cannot do the full story justice. So intricately woven and masterfully written. The details in the book are excellent and the way everything comes together in the end is just awesome.

Which character – as performed by John Lee – was your favorite?

the Count of Monte Cristo, of course. The hero who masterfully wove a fitting punishment for each of the people that wronged him.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Sure, but who can sit for 47 hours lol. It was a very long book but I don't feel that any of it was wasted.

Any additional comments?

It gets confusing when you've already learned all of these characters names, and then you have to learn their new titles. I wish there were a few more reminders here and there to help me keep that part of the story straight.

Wonderful, Fabulous, Sublime

I've read this classic at least three times in the past and have always enjoyed it. John Lee's reading of it enhances the experience so much that I believe the listening of it was even better.

Fantastic!

Having already read The Count of Monte Cristo, I knew it was one of the best, but John Lee's reading is marvelous. Not over acted, but done well enough to illuminate the story. It feels like he's sitting in the room telling the story, doing the voices, and bringing it to life. Good enough that I might listen to the whole 47 hours a 2nd, 3rd, 4th.... time. Love it!

I love this story. Great narration.

John Lee exactly captures each character without making each a ridiculous exaggeration. A long but wonderful story that will grab you until the very end.

Superb!

All you need to know is this book is amazing. there reply is nothing more you could want from a good book!

Long but definitely worthwhile

I read this many years ago, and have now listened to the audio version and loved it. Yes it is long, and yes sometimes it moves slowly and at those points you perhaps want to have something else to do at the same time so that you don't feel impatient with it, but it is worth sticking with it. I think I would regret an abridged version as the details in the story do matter.
At one point I was starting to worry that I was losing track of the characters and who was who, but then found that if I just let it all wash over me then it would make sense at a later moment. I love this narrator, a very clear and easy voice to listen to.

Compelling classic literature.

I can't believe I waited so long to read this. I agree with a previous reviewer about looking over some
Cliff Notes for both background information, and to help keep the characters straight (several characters have multiple names). The plot is intricate, and though some machinations are a bit contrived, the end result is the ultimate tale of betrayal and revenge.

An all-time-favorite

Few books engage me so I MUST make time to read and finish them. The Count of Monte Cristo is one of them. It really does engage a person. Why is that so? I am not sure if the idea of revenging our slights is so appealing or just the prospect of coming into enough money that you can do anything you want is the appealing part. I suppose it is both of them. Dumas makes it clear by the end of the book that revenge was a hollow victory. (But is was a victory none the less). This book becomes a classic indulgence because we want justice - for everyone else. And, we want mercy for the wronged - especially ourselves (and we want ridiculous amounts of money). This is a classic that has stood the test of time and has been made into at least two pretty lousy films (compared to the book) a musical, plays, and a television series (Revenge is loosely based on The Count of Monte Cristo). I haven't researched it; but, it has probably inspired songs as well. It is well worth the thick volume it is and it will almost make you sad (that it's over) when you are finished. I read this a couple of years ago and added it to my all-time-favorites list where I am sure it will stay for a while.

One of the best books on audible

I have listened to this book at least three times and I plan on listening to it again . John Lee’s accent and dictation work perfectly for the setting of this book and bring Alexandre Dumas’ words to life!

The story is the quintessential revenge story but also so much more !