The Count of Monte Cristo (1844)

1. 201
   The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas (caflores)
2. 111
   The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester (rareflorida)

   rareflorida: An old SciFi classic based upon The Count of Monte Cristo. Be patient because the begining of the story may be frustrating but you will eventually see the intelligence.

3. 124
   Les Misérables by Victor Hugo (VictoriaPL)
4. 92
   The Black Tulip by Alexandre père Dumas (2below)

   2below: These stories share some key themes and plot elements. It's not nearly as epic as The Count of Monte Cristo but makes for an interesting comparison.

5. 81
   The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy (SandSing7)
6. 62
   Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand (VictoriaPL)
7. 51
   Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott (SandSing7)
8. 41
   The Man in the Iron Mask by Alexandre Dumas (keeneam)
9. 41
   Scaramouche by Rafael Sabatini (MarcusBrutus)
10. 41
    The Meaning of Night by Michael Cox (citygirl)

    citygirl: Another detailed, intricately plotted revenge tale.

11. 21
    Selected Short Stories [Penguin Popular Classics] by Guy de Maupassant (bokai)

    bokai: While Maupassant's power is in his slice of life short stories told in an objective narrative voice and Dumas is the master of the thousand page epic told (see more) in highly sympathetic narration, both authors evoke images of the same France and are unequaled in their skill at bringing character and conflict to life. A short by Maupassant is a great way to break up the lengthy prose of Dumas, and Dumas, in turn, expands and elaborates the world that Maupassant provides only glimpses of.… (more)

12. 10
    The Count of Monte Cristo by Kevin Reynolds (Waldstein)

    Waldstein: Fascinating interpretation. Very free and very different. Really an independent work of art. If not superior to the novel, certainly not inferior to it either. Great script, superb cast, beautiful music, gorgeous production design.

13. 32
    The Three Musketeers Twenty Years After The Vicomte of Bragelonne Ten Years Later Louise de la Valliere The Man in the Iron Mask (The Complete d'Artagnan Romances): Completed Second Edition by Alexandre Dumas (MarcusBrutus)
14. 21
    Moonfleet by John Meade Falkner (elizabeth.a.coates)

    elizabeth.a.coates: Both are adventure stories that take place over a number of years and deal with riches, revenge, and romance

15. 22
    The Queen of the South by Arturo Pérez-Reverte (lilisin)

    lilisin: "Queen of the South" is a modern retake on "The Count". Not my favorite read but you can definitely see the parallels.

16. 66
    The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (TomWaitsTables)

    TomWaitsTables: The story of a man consumed by his obsession, but instead of revenge, Gatsby is chasing the American dream.

17. 11
    Gil Blas by Alain René Le Sage (roby72)
18. 11
    The Stars' Tennis Balls by Stephen Fry (lizzybeans11)
19. 23
    The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy (joririchardson)
20. 01
    Shogun by James Clavell (ShaneTierney)

(see all 22 recommendations)