The Count of Monte Cristo

The blurb on this book says that "nothing in his books encourages reflection...or sounds significant depths," but I would beg to differ. Through this work Dumas communicates the dangers that revenge has on a person and the effect of immense suffering. The main example of how suffering effects people was Edmond Dantes, the main character himself. Not only did his personality change, but he physically changed and became the Count of Monte Cristo. Mercedes also changes from the suffering she experiences when she gives up her fortune. But the end uncovers a message: after the many years where the Count had lost hope of ever being happy again, he finally understood that through new loves can come happiness. Other lessons, like greediness leads to nowhere or do not make rash decisions, were common. Now that I think about it each character, of the many Dumas created, had demonstrated a moral lesson. Besides the new, complex vocabulary, the book was thoroughly enjoyable. I think one of the aspects that contributed to its entertainment was the fact that all the characters at one point in the book act dramatically or maliciously which is what makes entertainment, or even life, interesting. But my conclusion is if I had the choice to read another one of Alexandre Dumas' books I wouldn't hesitate.