Group Read 3 - The Count of Monte Cristo Part 2

Post your thoughts here on Chapters 16-30.

Finally caught up last night! I love the Abbe- his morality is impeccable, which is an interesting contrast to Dantes, who seems like a good guy but would kill for his freedom...seems like terrible circumstances don't shape your character, but merely reveal your character.

oh oh forgot to ask- what is everyone's opinion of DeVillefort? Is he totally selfish? Does he care about his father's safety at all? His actions may be more (not really but maybe a little) justifiable if he's acting out of concern for his family, but it doesn't seem that way...

Maryjanemanolos, I hadn't thought about it but you're right the Abbe uses his years of imprisonment prudently by keeping his brain and body active and by painstakingly working on his escape route. It doesn't appear that he ever despaired or gave up hope. Imagine all those years on your own with no own to talk to, no books to read...I'm sure I would have given up. And I'm also sure that in Dante's place I would want revenge on Danglers, Fernand and Villefort.

Perhaps the difference in age and education between the Abbe and Dantes is the reason why they respond differently to imprisonment.

As for Villefort, I think he's politically astute and ambitious and he doesn't seem the type to risk his own safety for his father. He doesn't have any personal convictions (Bonaparte/monarchy) just concerns that his own career and position flourish.

I think it's easy when all you've known is great happiness and everything has always gone towards your favor to wish revenge on those who seek to break that. I mean, Dantes remained naive still about his "friends" for quite a while until the Abbe suggested that they had most likely set him up. Imagine your world collapsing. I think most would wish some harm done upon those kind of people.

As for Villefort, as socialpages mentions, he's ambitious and is willing to stop at nothing to further his career. You could say that by convicting Dantes, he ends up protecting his father (thus perhaps he's slightly concerned for his father's safety) but mostly he is certainly concerned for his worth and fortune.

I just finished the book couldn't put it down ohmygosh its so great. Anyway, here's what I was wondering up until the very end-- DOES MERCEDES KNOW?? What do you guys think?

It's great that you couldn't put it down but it is perhaps early to be discussing the end of the book considering this thread is only for chapters 16-30.

About your post though, does Mercedes know what? There are many things she does/does not know. What are you referring to specifically?

I wasn't talking about the end of the book. I meant does she know who he is.

Yes, she knows.

Alright, I'm 400+ pages in.

Loving it so far. I know that I'm being shamelessly exploited by Dumas in terms of a wild 'n crazy plot, but I just don't care. Bring it on!

The link for part 3 of the group read is here. I made on note on that thread but I'll ask here too. Would anyone mind kind of taking this down a notch and reading 15 chapters every two weeks? I think our original goal was a bit too ambitious for some of us, myself included, judging by the lack of a part 3 thread until now. If you guys want to continue at the original pace, that's fine. I'll just finish a bit behind you all ;-)