The Count of Monte Cristo (Collector's Library) Hardcover – Abridged, February 19, 2004

Undoubtedly one of the classics, The Count of Monte Cristo, in this edition, spans some 600 pages and takes us on a tale involving, love, revenge, high-society, intrigue, evil, greed and a few other facets that make for a grand tale.Written in the 1850's, the language in the book is of the verbose form wherein, 10 words would be used where, today, 3 would do. At first the reader may have to read, then re-read many of the sentences in an effort to garner the true meaning as, for most of us, this wordy text can be a little confusing and somewhat overwhelming. Not to far into the book, it becomes easier to handle and, in all honesty, it's a delight to read. Personally, I would enjoy being able to use words the way Dumas portrayed in his characters.Edmond Dantes is the main character who is falsely imprisoned due to a mixture of jealousy and self-preservation by others. He spends some 14 years in a dungeon where he is befriended by another inmate who schools Dantes and informs him of a fortune in buried treasure. Dantes escapes and sets out to garner revenge. In a nutshell, that's the very basis of the story.It's fantastic stuff and a welcome change from most modern text.

Updated to 5-star: Originally I gave this a low rating because it was incorrectly marked as the Unabridged version. Amazon has corrected this, so I'm editing my review. Great book at a great price. Thanks, Amazon!Old Review: Note: 1-star rating is only to bring attention to the edition of the book! I'm sure this is a great book, I'm really looking forward to reading it, but after much debate I decided to get the Unabridged version, and ordered this item - I got the book in the picture, but it's Abridged. Not worth returning (Great deal, $5 book!), but just a heads up for others in the same boat.

"All human wisdom is summed up in two words-wait and hope".(Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte-Cristo). That is not enough to live but it helps one survive and life is based on surviving. Hopes and dreams of happiness crushed for Edmon Dantres on the day they were supposed to come true, every single one of them. But he beat prison, he beat death, he beat all his misfurtunes, he became bigger-that-life, the Count of Monte-Cristo, just to get his revenge to all those who broke his life.This is a novel about a man whose only goal became revenge but was it the right thing to do? This book is not too deep but it has some kind of sense of exitment that keeps you reading every single page.

This is a fabulous book! My only complaint is the size of the book. I did not check the dimensions, which I should have. But the book is tiny. I bought two of them for my girls to read for school and they were not happy because the font is so small. But the books are readable and my girls enjoy the story.

My daughter had to read this book for school and really enjoyed it. she still remembers this book and makes constant referenses to the bookeven now. It's a classic that everyone ages 10 and up can enjoy. The storyline was great, and the main ideas were kept and recycled throughout the novel.

This book is amazing I never thought that this book would be enjoyable since it was assigned for my Lit. class I I ussually don't like books assigned but this book is simply amazing and is a great joy to read.

A story to get lost in. Written with great style.Very densely packed with detail. The author is a master story teller.

This is physically, a very small book. I didn't read the size description when I ordered it and was disappointed when it came in as it was a gift for a friend. But, it's a lovely book with gold edges so if you are looking for something of a more readable size, this might not be the one for your library. As far as content, well, it's the finest book ever written.

A real page turner. Came back to this classic after many years, needed an escape from reality and some most exquisite prose. If you liked Les Miserables by Hugo - you will love this. Sometimes it is imperative just to sit back and read some real masters of the art.

I brought this book for my Son who always wanted it, but wanted a good copy not paperback. So He andI are you extremely delighted with it.It arrived on the specified date., by a very pleasant courier.

good book

I love this book. I read the comic book (with picture) when I was young. The story line is very good. Perhaps my number one fiction. The best that I have ever read.

Great read. The book is in good conditions, but it took forever to be delivered.