The Count of Monte Cristo

Le comte de Monte Cristo (The Count of Monte Cristo) is a classic adventure novel by Alexandre Dumas, père. It is often considered Dumas' best work, and is frequently included on lists of the best novels of all time. The writing of the work was completed in 1844, and released as an 18-part series over the next two years. Dumas collaborated with other authors in the writing.

Sailor to Inmate

The novel begins with Edmond Dantès returning to Marseille, where he meets his family and friends. There, the reader learns that he is about to receive promotion to captaincy and also is on the verge of marrying a beautiful Catalan, Mercédès.

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It is revealed that the previous captain, who was a staunch supporter of the now deposed Emperor Napoleon, charged Dantès on his deathbed to deliver a package to former Grand Marshall, Maréchal Bertrand, who has been exiled to the isle of Elba. During his visit, he speaks to Napoleon himself, who asks him to deliver a confidential letter to a man in Paris for him. He assures Dantès its contents are harmless and the sailor agrees.

Related Topics:
Napoleon - Elba - Paris

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However, the naive Dantès does not realize how his fortune affects those he considers friends. Their jealousy prompts Danglars, who envies Edmond's promotion, and Fernand, who desires Mercédès, to expose Edmond as a Bonapartist agent; he is sent to the deputy public prosecutor and magistrate, Villefort. Though Villefort is at once sure of Edmond's innocence and is on the verge of setting him free, he discovers that the addressee is none other than his own father, Noirtier, a prominent Bonipartist. However, the son has denounced his father to improve his relations with the current royalist regime, and a resurgence of speculation about his true loyalties could irrevocably damage his career and prevent his imminent marriage to a well-known aristocratic family. In order to bury this secret Villefort sends Edmond to languish indefinitely in the infamous Château d'If.

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