Adventures in Reading: "The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexadre Dumas

Sorry for the long break, ya'll, but I was reading a big ol' book.

The Count of Monte Cristo. Such a good movie!

But how many people do you know who have actually read the book?

(The abridged version doesn't count here, people.)

Well, I may now join their ranks! As you may recall, my former roommate and dear friend was concerned by the odd pattern my reading life had taken on in terms of suicidal characters, so I was instructed to read "The Count".

At first, I was genuinely a bit nervous. The last classic "tome" I had read was just...the pits. And this book was almost 500 pages longer! The thing is, "The Count of Monte Cristo" is so good!

I have really liked the Jim Caviezel movie version of this book since it came out. The movie does follow the book to some extent, but at one point while reading, I had to let go of any expectations that they were really the same story overall. I think of them as two different stories.

I loved reading this book. So much so, that I actually stopped reading it for a few days toward the end because I didn't want it to be over. It's well-written and engaging and kept me interested for several weeks.

Oh...and there was one suicide, which gave me a very odd sense of satisfaction. I won't gloat for too long though, friend ;)

Live!

I will not die an unlived life.

I will not live in fear

of falling or catching fire.

I choose to inhabit my days,

to allow my living to open me,

to make me less afraid,

more accessible;

to loosen my heart

until it becomes a wing,

a torch, a promise.

I choose to risk my significance,

to live so that which came to me as seed

goes to the next as blossom,

and that which came to me as blossom,

goes on as fruit.

-- Dawn Markova