just finished reading the count of monte cristo only to realize that I read the abridged version (that version still had 930 pages so I thought it is only shorter cause of the font and book size but turns out it’s an abridged version yayy)… so what do you recommend me to do now? ( By the way I really enjoyed the story, it was a really fun read but it took me some time to get through cause I dont really read classics that often, that’s why I was kinda proud of myself for ‘finishing’ that one)
Idk what to do know, is it still worth it to pick up the unabridged version? I probably should do that but right now I don’t have the energy to relive the book again… kinda disappointed though cause I despise ‘abridged versions’, now I feel like I read an incomplete book :(
sorry had to rant haha
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The first version I read was like the schoolastic book fair version and when I learned what abridged mean it was pretty obviously like half the book maybe for kids? 900 sounds a lot closer to the full story though. There’s a ton of printings so I don’t know specifically but I’d guess it’s maybe less heavily abridged? If you do want the full version experience I think the newer translation that penguin classics uses is a definitive edition
What exactly did the abridged version cut? If it cut a lot of the middle nonsense with the italian bandits, then that’s fine, you don’t need to go and re-read the full version.
If it actually cut words from the first and last part? Then yeah, put the full version on your to-read list for next year.
How are they suppose to know what was cut from a book they haven’t read?
I will recommend to try the audio book unabridged narrated by Bill Homewood when you are up for it. This is an excellent narration.
There is at least one abridged version that cuts out a whole plotline/character. That made our group discussions at school very interesting when we read different versions! But if you know who Benedetto is, then you probably didn’t miss anything of great importance.
I read an unabridged version and don’t remember who that is, which tells me that maybe I don’t need to be so snooty about abridgements…
I did the same thing! A friend recommended it to me; I accidentally picked up the abridged version. When we were discussing it after I read it, she mentioned several parts where I was like “Wait, what? I don’t remember that at all!”
Eventually I found out it was abridged, and picked up the complete version and read it right away. It was so much better! I was legitimately furious with the publisher of the abridgement – they didn’t just trim excessive bits of prose or redundant text; they just cut out entire sections indiscriminately, leaving big plot disconnects and a lot of unanswered questions.
I’m reading the non abridged version and I feel like it could be shorten a bit. But if you liked it a lot, wait 10 years and read it again.
yeah I will probably do that since it’s one of my favorite books now, I feel like the unabridged version will bring me more insight to the story and I’m kinda excited to read it one day, kinda looking forward to it now
Yes, it’s a very re-readable book. Wait a few years and read the complete book. The Penguin Classics Robin Buss translation is the best IMO.
No version without morphine trips is acceptable!