A bad book (and Monte Cristo is certainly "bad" in terms of style, depth of writing, character development and a whole host of other criteria) allows us to have a much more interesting debate. Larry and I are back to discussing genre, the contrast between light fiction and literature and the relative worth of critical literary theory. You and I are arguing over whether or not a relativist approach to literature is valid. Isn't that, ultimately, the POINT of this site? To talk about books and literature? Aren't we doing exactly what we're here to do???