Hello Rafonauts!
This is the official discussion thread for The Count of Monte Cristo.
There are some starter threads below, so post your thoughts and have fun!
This has been (apparently) somewhat of a controversial choice, so please make sure you all play nicely. We're watching you.
This is the official discussion thread for The Count of Monte Cristo.
There are some starter threads below, so post your thoughts and have fun!
This has been (apparently) somewhat of a controversial choice, so please make sure you all play nicely. We're watching you.
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas - Book Club now open!
- 25/01/2010 10:54:37 PM
2513 Views
Les characters.
- 25/01/2010 10:56:23 PM
1375 Views
Why does the book have enduring appeal?
- 25/01/2010 10:57:37 PM
1365 Views
Or rather, does this book share any traits in common with pornography?
- 25/01/2010 11:14:01 PM
1468 Views
I think the revenge plot is actually fairly weak.
- 26/01/2010 03:43:04 AM
1400 Views
Re: I think the revenge plot is actually fairly weak.
- 26/01/2010 11:12:19 AM
1447 Views
In that case, the "release" is quite unsatisfying.
- 27/01/2010 01:42:28 PM
1551 Views
Which is precisely part of what makes the book interesting
- 27/01/2010 02:06:58 PM
1440 Views
He would not have known the book would be ruined by water. He thought he was being buried.
- 27/01/2010 02:15:02 PM
1350 Views
Oh, and your point on revenge - that's just reading too much into the text.
- 27/01/2010 02:16:05 PM
1269 Views
There is no such thing
- 27/01/2010 02:18:46 PM
1321 Views
I fundamentally disagree with your post-modern take on the novel.
- 27/01/2010 02:25:25 PM
1374 Views
Re: Which is precisely part of what makes the book interesting
- 27/01/2010 03:40:36 PM
1329 Views
Maybe it's of the same importance as the Lost Symbol.
- 27/01/2010 03:44:55 PM
1390 Views
I think one important question to ask is...
- 26/01/2010 12:00:17 AM
1425 Views
I like it, but it is purely on the adventure story level, and I've read the unabridged version.
- 26/01/2010 12:03:01 AM
1279 Views
I'm fairly certain I read the unabridged version. It was 1500 pages. *NM*
- 26/01/2010 02:36:10 AM
702 Views
I have read the abridged version a couple of times. I am reading the unabridged version this time.
- 26/01/2010 03:25:50 AM
1368 Views
I have read both
- 27/01/2010 01:37:00 AM
1457 Views
I actually didn't mean the people here on the site so much as readers in general.
- 27/01/2010 01:44:46 AM
1438 Views
Re: I actually didn't mean the people here on the site so much as readers in general.
- 27/01/2010 01:48:11 AM
1365 Views
Re: I got here too late, so I offer Umberto Eco's thoughts on the matter:
- 22/02/2010 06:59:13 PM
1565 Views
I'm watching right back, Big Brother. *NM*
- 25/01/2010 11:44:30 PM
689 Views
The book was very childish.
- 26/01/2010 03:05:01 AM
1481 Views
Granted, The Master and Margarita is also very much a fantasy book. *NM*
- 26/01/2010 03:07:45 AM
707 Views
No, it really isn't.
- 26/01/2010 03:10:08 AM
1448 Views
You know, this is a problem.
- 26/01/2010 03:43:14 AM
1420 Views
Thank God, I've never even heard of "Skol". Popov, yes, but Skol?
- 26/01/2010 03:49:08 AM
1412 Views
I've not tried it, but every time I go into liquor stores, it sits on the bottom shelf.
- 26/01/2010 03:57:03 AM
1308 Views
There's really nothing I can say to this that Greg didn't just say above.
- 26/01/2010 06:32:02 AM
1480 Views
Re: No, it really isn't.
- 26/01/2010 10:57:19 AM
1349 Views
Having Camilla concur with me on literary matters is very encouraging. 
- 26/01/2010 01:37:23 PM
1413 Views
- 26/01/2010 01:37:23 PM
1413 Views
I do not agree with your complete dismissal of The Count of Monte Cristo, though
- 26/01/2010 04:58:58 PM
1373 Views
You make some rather odd claims here, Tom
- 27/01/2010 12:43:41 AM
1451 Views
My claims are far from odd. In fact, they're quite common.
- 27/01/2010 01:57:41 AM
1391 Views
In some circles; in others, they're rather antiquated nowadays
- 27/01/2010 02:21:03 AM
1342 Views
If you were trying to write literature, wouldn't the label sting for you?
- 27/01/2010 01:25:14 PM
1395 Views
I think it's easier to think of stories fitting into genre(s) than to think the same of authors
- 27/01/2010 02:40:29 PM
1454 Views
Allow me to clarify: I'm talking about authors' reactions to their books being so labelled.
- 27/01/2010 03:08:47 PM
1496 Views
But yet their reactions vary widely
- 27/01/2010 11:33:25 PM
1379 Views
My fundamental premise is that genre has the most utility when applied to derivative fiction.
- 28/01/2010 09:39:17 PM
1342 Views
And yet that term is mostly used as a non-loaded term that doesn't attempt to ascribe quality levels
- 29/01/2010 02:49:20 AM
1277 Views
I like my definition of science fiction better than the one you quoted.
- 29/01/2010 05:16:36 AM
1340 Views
I think estrangement is a key element, though
- 30/01/2010 11:00:19 PM
1307 Views
I don't think estrangement is a necessary element.
- 30/01/2010 11:47:07 PM
1512 Views
I mean it as a literary effect, that of creating a distance between text and reader
- 31/01/2010 12:03:34 AM
1330 Views
Even if that's the meaning, I still disagree.
- 03/02/2010 12:49:58 AM
1313 Views
Depends on how you view SF, I suppose
- 03/02/2010 04:20:56 AM
1185 Views
I thought that was what we were mulling over
- 03/02/2010 04:38:35 AM
1315 Views
Your unscientific anecdotal evidence sounds very odd to me.
- 28/01/2010 12:15:10 AM
1383 Views
It might. I'm not purporting to speak for all of humanity (at least on this point).
- 28/01/2010 09:43:40 PM
1440 Views
- 28/01/2010 09:43:40 PM
1440 Views
approve of this message.
So, what you're saying is that watching the 2002 movie was sufficient? Good! *NM*
- 26/01/2010 06:34:53 AM
674 Views
*NM*
- 26/01/2010 06:34:53 AM
674 Views
I'm not through it quite yet, but I do have a question
- 26/01/2010 12:24:14 PM
1333 Views
Wait...you VOTED for this book?
- 26/01/2010 01:41:00 PM
1380 Views
I honestly can't remember.
- 26/01/2010 01:55:39 PM
1346 Views
Doctor Zhivago is one of the best novels ever written.
- 26/01/2010 02:12:35 PM
1359 Views
Right, so now we all know that if we'd just listen to me more often, the world would be better.
- 26/01/2010 02:20:56 PM
1351 Views
The problem was that the suggestions were generally not that good.
- 26/01/2010 02:32:50 PM
1405 Views
You really are ignornant of what A.S. Byatt writes, aren't you?
- 27/01/2010 12:51:00 AM
1380 Views
- 27/01/2010 12:51:00 AM
1380 Views
Oh, I fucking hate epistolary novels. Thank you for warning me.
- 27/01/2010 02:00:34 AM
1282 Views
It's funny because I think it's a question of taste level.
- 26/01/2010 02:32:08 PM
1432 Views
Curious George is a tale of many layers, as told by Werner Herzog
- 26/01/2010 02:34:27 PM
1486 Views
On what basis?
- 26/01/2010 02:51:40 PM
1438 Views
It's a children's book. Get over it. Democracy failed.
- 26/01/2010 02:55:03 PM
1432 Views
Usually does, when those who know better keep silent.
- 26/01/2010 02:57:54 PM
1325 Views
Regarding comfort zones
- 26/01/2010 05:08:50 PM
1447 Views
Camilla, let's be honest here...
- 26/01/2010 05:40:08 PM
1475 Views
Re: Camilla, let's be honest here...
- 26/01/2010 09:10:47 PM
1429 Views
If that's your goal, Camilla, you failed.
- 27/01/2010 01:35:52 PM
1494 Views
Possibly
- 27/01/2010 01:38:39 PM
1345 Views
I have not been ranting and raving. I've been highly critical of the book, with much justification.
- 27/01/2010 01:45:05 PM
1367 Views
Re: I've been highly critical of the book, with much justification.
- 27/01/2010 01:53:28 PM
1353 Views
I was wondering how long it would take for you to blame me and Greg.
- 27/01/2010 02:26:12 PM
1483 Views
Don't you get it? We bring this place down.
- 27/01/2010 02:42:32 PM
1326 Views
Heh heh heh. Pink cardigan-wearing suburban cul-de-sac. I like it. *NM*
- 27/01/2010 03:11:25 PM
676 Views
*NM*
- 27/01/2010 03:11:25 PM
676 Views
Re: I was wondering how long it would take for you to blame me and Greg.
- 27/01/2010 02:43:11 PM
1348 Views
While that was not the intent, that is an added bonus.
- 27/01/2010 02:48:47 PM
1343 Views
why is it a bonus?
- 27/01/2010 02:52:58 PM
1305 Views
I said see above. You should have before the thought police, Rebekah, started to delete.
- 27/01/2010 02:59:07 PM
1588 Views
Well, you wouldn't grow tired of us calling a novel shit if you chose a novel that wasn't shit.
- 27/01/2010 03:11:57 PM
1332 Views
Re: Regarding comfort zones
- 27/01/2010 11:57:03 AM
1409 Views
So. I really liked it.
- 26/01/2010 08:57:02 AM
1489 Views
Yes, fearless leader, this is where I stand.
- 26/01/2010 11:04:23 PM
1346 Views
Re: Yes, fearless leader, this is where I stand.
- 26/01/2010 11:49:03 PM
1400 Views
We were talking about this last night.
- 27/01/2010 11:14:21 AM
1475 Views
Re: We were talking about this last night.
- 27/01/2010 11:37:04 AM
1478 Views
If you do that, I'm posting on the deeper meaning of Dan Brown.
- 27/01/2010 01:46:35 PM
1447 Views
Feel free to.
- 27/01/2010 01:51:23 PM
1418 Views
Your post-modern take on the novel is shit, shit, shit.
- 27/01/2010 02:28:56 PM
1377 Views
Re: Your post-modern take on the novel is shit, shit, shit.
- 27/01/2010 02:45:41 PM
1412 Views
I'm not setting up a straw man. I'm challenging your touchy-feely approach.
- 27/01/2010 03:15:00 PM
1297 Views
My touchy-feely approach?
- 27/01/2010 05:09:04 PM
1315 Views
Yes...using passing references in the text to justify a deeper analysis.
- 27/01/2010 05:16:10 PM
1356 Views
Doesn't touchy-feely mean that it is steeped in or based on emotion?
- 27/01/2010 06:40:31 PM
1329 Views
I think between the two of you I agree more with Tom here.
- 27/01/2010 07:01:08 PM
1304 Views
Re: I think between the two of you I agree more with Tom here.
- 27/01/2010 08:29:32 PM
1391 Views
See my reply to Tom for clarification, then.
- 27/01/2010 08:57:18 PM
1439 Views
Re: See my reply to Tom for clarification, then.
- 27/01/2010 09:09:47 PM
1346 Views
Er. Whose position are you arguing - mine or yours?
- 27/01/2010 10:33:01 PM
1237 Views
- 27/01/2010 10:33:01 PM
1237 Views
Mine. Which is more complicated than a simple rejection. That is what I am saying.
- 01/02/2010 12:53:58 PM
1220 Views
Do it. I'd read that.
- 27/01/2010 01:55:23 PM
1471 Views
All righty, that's enough of that. For Tom, Greg, and... no, pretty much just you two.
- 27/01/2010 04:33:00 PM
1398 Views
I call bullshit. I have been conducting the debate in a measured fashion.
- 27/01/2010 04:50:35 PM
1354 Views
And ANOTHER THING
- 27/01/2010 05:05:17 PM
1260 Views
Not everyone has finished reading it yet *NM*
- 27/01/2010 05:12:10 PM
738 Views
Okay, so you'll get one or two stragglers in a week to a month. It changes nothing.
- 27/01/2010 05:17:51 PM
1428 Views
Re: Okay, so you'll get one or two stragglers in a week to a month. It changes nothing.
- 27/01/2010 06:41:11 PM
1375 Views
We are discussing this book. We're discussing its faults.
- 27/01/2010 07:30:49 PM
1306 Views
In the interest of discussing Dumas' intentions...
- 27/01/2010 08:03:24 PM
1478 Views
Re: We are discussing this book. We're discussing its faults.
- 27/01/2010 08:30:19 PM
1434 Views
The text doesn't warrant "close attention" any more than Dan Brown's works do.
- 27/01/2010 09:10:45 PM
1314 Views
Also, do you think a good book would have generated this level of discussion? Of course not.
- 27/01/2010 05:21:45 PM
1344 Views
What discussion?
- 27/01/2010 06:42:32 PM
1370 Views
I said that we couldn't discuss the book on its own terms.
- 27/01/2010 07:35:32 PM
1452 Views
Which I still think we can.
- 27/01/2010 08:35:35 PM
1340 Views
Perhaps you shouldn't be breaking things down at all.
- 27/01/2010 09:06:59 PM
1436 Views
Re: Perhaps you shouldn't be breaking things down at all.
- 27/01/2010 09:12:22 PM
1392 Views
I apologize if I'm part of the reason you feel ganged up on.
- 27/01/2010 10:40:36 PM
1360 Views
Re: I apologize if I'm part of the reason you feel ganged up on.
- 01/02/2010 12:56:03 PM
1281 Views
Deary me.
- 27/01/2010 05:19:58 PM
1560 Views
By "respect" do you mean that you want me to drop my debates?
- 27/01/2010 05:24:03 PM
1309 Views
Not at all.
- 27/01/2010 05:35:34 PM
1474 Views
I'm sorry as well - if I had any kind of willpower, it wouldn't have gotten that far.
- 27/01/2010 06:29:43 PM
1384 Views
On the nature of the "Book Club"
- 28/01/2010 09:23:23 PM
1231 Views
Any chance of seeing some shorter suggestions?
- 28/01/2010 10:20:59 PM
1445 Views
Yes, shorter would be good.
- 28/01/2010 10:23:28 PM
1294 Views
Well, you should have known better!
- 29/01/2010 01:29:40 AM
1341 Views
- 29/01/2010 01:29:40 AM
1341 Views
All I can say is The Master and Margarita better be one by March. WE WAS ROBBED. *NM*
- 29/01/2010 02:31:48 AM
636 Views
*NM*
- 29/01/2010 02:31:48 AM
636 Views
Well I'm late to the party
- 29/01/2010 06:21:18 AM
1275 Views
No, you're early
- 01/02/2010 01:26:10 PM
1184 Views
I still have yet to see that discussion, Camilla. *NM*
- 03/02/2010 12:46:24 AM
696 Views
Interesting way of dismissing what has already been discussed about the book
- 03/02/2010 04:22:26 AM
1435 Views
Nah, there's been discussion, here and there inbetween the fighting. *NM*
- 03/02/2010 04:39:24 PM
643 Views
*NM*
- 03/02/2010 04:39:24 PM
643 Views
An interesting quote from the book - does it jibe with your experience?
- 29/01/2010 11:23:54 PM
1355 Views