Pre-conceptions

What are your preconceptions of this novel? Have you read it before, see a movie, heard people talk about it?

I'll start...

I've heard the title but have no idea what the story is so I'm going in fresh. I'm excited because I have enjoyed Dumas before in the Three Musketeers so I'm hoping I will like this one too. Classics usually aren't my style. But I'm thinking positive and I have enjoyed the first few chapters.

I think I have an idea of the plot, but I don't know any details. I've mainly heard it described as an adventure novel and I'm hoping that it's an engaging page-turner to keep me going through the 1000 pages (I'm guessing on length since i'm reading on my kindle).

One thing I'll be thinking about while reading is the ways the novel contrasts with Madame Bovary, a novel I read last year. In the introduction to my version of TCOMC, it is pointed out that it was written only a few years before Madame Bovary and that they represent a split in two ideals of French literature, TCOMC representing a fast-paced, adventure novel and Madame Bovary which is a carefully crafted novel that was part of the realism movement. I think it's convenient that I unknowingly just read Madame Bovary and it may color some of my thoughts about The Count of Monte Cristo.

I have not read this before (although I have started it before), but I think I saw a movie of it a long time ago. So I am sort of familiar with the plot, but I don't know how it will all come about. I also recently read The Three Musketeers, which I loved. That is the only book by Dumas that I have ever read.

I particularly like to read classics and this is fun to read, for sure. I am not sure if I will be able to keep up the pace, but I think this group will make sure that I get it all read by this Spring. Thanks for all the effort!