I just started the book about 4 days ago and immediately was hooked on Dantes situation.

I’m about 400 pages in and Dumas is kind of focusing on other characters I don’t find as interesting as Edmund.

I know is a masterpiece, but am I just in the doldrums of the middle? I know Dumas was paid by the word back in the day but it seems some characters are irrelevant.

Will the ultimate revenge on the three who conspired against him negate my monotony of the middle of the book? I will finish it regardless.

Thanks!

  • hidden_hypo@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Worth it to read the whole thing. I recommend a break if you’re getting burnt out.

    I’m guilty of reading 4-6 books at a time for this very reason.

  • artaig@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Most. Satisfying. Ending. Ever.

    I wish I could spread justice as he did. That’s why the book was written. Forget the cinematic adaptations; they couldn’t cope with Edmond’s ruthlessness.

    • cassowary_245@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      I had this conclusion when I first read it in my 20s I just reread it and I think it has more nuance and he has some regrets because he hurt some good people along the way and he realises he’s only human and not an instrument of God and maybe he didn’t have the right to be the hand of providence.

      But I love the way a plan comes together still.

  • EmotionalAccounting@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Hah. I’m pretty much at the same point as you currently. I have seen here frequently that people say that it’s worth powering through so I’m powering through. For me it’s fluctuated between “staying up two hours later than I usually do because I can’t put it down” and “I really hope it picks back up again” a few times already

  • wafflesandcanesyrup@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I do think the ending is epic, especially since it’s a book about vengeance. But it also gets sentimental. However it’s possible that you just don’t like the book. The meandering and side stories is one of the things that make it so beloved, similar to Don Quixote or Moby Dick. But that’s also something that can be annoying to people who want a more straightforward story, especially modern readers.

  • bobby5445@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    While we are on this topic, which translation are you reading? I read the one by Robin Buss (unabridged) and while the middle of the novel slows down I’ve never found it tedious. It’s been a while, is there a preferred version?

  • TonyStr@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Even the characters that were written to fill word quotas are weaved meaningfully into the plot. It’s a long book which means it spends a long time building tension, but the camels back breaks eventually. Wait and hope.

  • Raff57@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I bogged down early in the book. The writing style is wordy, tedious and archaic. I’m sure I could get used to it if I persevered.

    But there are too many other books I want to read that I know I will enjoy without having to work for it.

  • JuanEstapoIce@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Found it to be a slog, as well. Read it recently because it’s a classic and thought I should. But can’t say I was enthralled with it.