The Count of Monte Cristo [Classic Tales Edition]

By: Alexandre Dumas

Narrated by: B.J. Harrison

Length: 52 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's Summary

"A piece of perfect storytelling." (Robert Louis Stevenson)

Trust. Betrayal. Revenge. The Count of Monte Cristo is the quintessential masterpiece of Alexandre Dumas. In Edmond Dantes we find an early materialization of the modern superhero. He is a dashing young sailor imprisoned unjustly for treason. While in prison he meets a holy man who imparts to him all his wisdom of languages, philosophy, science, and literature. The "abbe" also divulges the profound secret of a hidden treasure. Dantes realizes that with such immense wealth one could do a generous amount of good for one's friends. On the other hand, one could also wreak a hateful vengeance on one's enemies.

Now freed from prison, and armed with untold riches, a wealth of intelligence, and a countenance utterly unrecognizable, Dantes fulfills his vow to wreak complete and utter revenge on those who conspired against him.

Public Domain (P)2015 B.J. Harrison

The proof is in the narrator!

The Narrator is a key point when embarking on an audio book that is over 50 hours long. To that point B.J. Harrison is to be highly praised for his performance! I will be looking for more titles graced with his narration.

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

One of the best readers (esp for the classics)

If you could sum up The Count of Monte Cristo [Classic Tales Edition] in three words, what would they be?

The book is better than, more complex than, more unbelievable than, any of the filmed versions.

What did you like best about this story?

I particularly liked how much I learned about the time period and this area of the Mediterranean.

Have you listened to any of B.J. Harrison’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

B.J. Harrison is one of the best readers I've heard. Able to do many voices compellingly, believably, and back-to-back. Even my kids were stunned when they realized it was all one reader.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

A book to last the ages

At first when I decided to listen to this book I was scared not only because of its length but also by the time from which It was written. Being of the younger generation I felt that I may not be able to understand the writing style of this book. Now finished with the book, I can reflect that my fears were for nothing for this book kept me interested til the very end. In the end I was not complaining about its length but the fact that the reading was done and the story over. This is an extraordinary book and is definitely one of the best I have read. If you are interested in getting this book, don't worry about the length or the time in which it was written. This book will surprise you. I did to me and I am 20 years old.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

best narrative performance i have ever heard.

of course the story is a classic, but the reading performance is the best ive ever heard. please dont miss it.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Bravo!

What about B.J. Harrison’s performance did you like?

I am so glad I listened to the samples and just didn't go with the book with the most ratings. Harrison's narration is far superior than any of the others. In some of the other recordings you can hear the narrator breathe, I hate that. Not with this one, it is perfect.

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

Very hard to put down. I fell asleep listening to this in bed more than once. Not because it was boring at all, but because I stayed up too late and should have been asleep hours ago.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Count of Monte Cristo

Good story. Not my favorite but good. Prepare to invest time. I'm not sure I can recommend BJ Harrison's performance. While he is versatile in his voices I think he tries to hard at times and over performs. But it's just my opinion.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

How did I go so long without reading ?

This was an amazing "read" that I cannot believe took me this long to "pick up"

It is very long but very worth it.
This title may now be one of my favorite books... and I am an avid reader.

I have seen reviews on the abridged versions that were negative and I have to say pick up this copy. The full length work is worth it. This version has nearly 50 more hours of content then some of the abridged copies.

none of it did I find tedious ... I sat listening to this great narrator who has many voices and keeps them consistent. it is like listening to an old radio show. you can tell who a character to a scene is before they are introduced.

Great Book.

So Good!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Can't beat the CLASSICS

very long book but I couldn't put it down. i thoroughly enjoyed it. narrator is excellent.

DC in Shaker Heights

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Wonderful all around!

Another fantastic reading by BJ Harrison. His voice is capable of all the emotion, both subtle and grand, that is necessary to maker this great work come alive.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great time listening to a Fantastic work of Art

Would you consider the audio edition of The Count of Monte Cristo [Classic Tales Edition] to be better than the print version?

I found the narration to be very good and the ability of the reader to add depth to the voices made it easy to follow dialogue changes.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Count of Monte Cristo [Classic Tales Edition]?

So many... The interview with the King's Attorney, the meeting with the Abbey in solitude, and the vengence

Have you listened to any of B.J. Harrison’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

First performance I have heard by BJ Harrison

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

At 52 hours length this would hardly be possible

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Excellent in all respects

As my beloved wife used to say, it's a classic for a reason. Harrison's narration is easy on the ear and consistently engaging, no small feat in over 50 hours with such a broad cast of characters and ages.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it without hesitation.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

This was tough 52 hours to get through.

The essence of the story is not bad, but there is too much detailed conversation that dilutes it, if you ask me. Narrator was awesome and I think I would have given up without him.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Still my favourite book of all time

The best revenge plot ever written. Great book. Well read, although I find the Yorkshire accents a bit strange when depicting Spanish sailors. Nevertheless a brilliant audiobook

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

An epic tale

was heavy going at times but is a great story and well worth the listen