The Count of Monte Cristo | Le Comte de Monte-Cristo
“It is the way of weakened minds to see everything through a black cloud. The soul forms its own horizons; your soul is darkened, and consequently the sky of the future appears stormy and unpromising” Alexandre Dumas [The Count of Monte Cristo]
I wrote a post a little while ago about my book waiting area which is the top of my piano at home; There's a few parked there. Let's call it several. OK, more than several! I seem to keep coming across new books to read at a faster rate than I can get through them.
One of the books in the pile neatly lined up row has now progressed to BIP status, that is: book in progress status and has made it from the top of my piano to being carried around wherever I go. This means work, café's, gun range...Everywhere. It'll get read whenever I get the chance. Yes I have to work and there's not much chance to read at the gun range either but one never know's when an opportunity may arise and so my book will go everywhere with me.
I started reading as a very young kid and fell in love with the feeling of being transported away from my reality through books. As a small kid I was racially vilified relentlessly by kids at school and my only escape was to come home where I felt safe. It was there I turned to books and through their words I could be Aragorn in Tolkien's Lord of the Rings fighting orcs and winning Arwen's affection, Pug the magician in Raymond E.Feist's Rift War Saga or anyone I chose to be. (Unsurprisingly I rarely chose the bad guy)
I grew up eventually though and am not the sort of person who get's picked on much anymore, just by @honeydue and my wife mainly, [and all my asshole mates of course, as it should be] but I still retreat into books and find comfort there. I find a version of peace and feel...centred when engrossed in a book and I'm looking forward to delving into Alexandre Dumas's world.
This classic novel is set around 1815 not long before Napoleon was returned to power, and revolves around Edmond Dantes, his beautiful love-interest Mercedes and Edmond's best friend the jealous and dastardly Fernand, who has Edmond falsely imprisoned so he can steal Mercedes for his own. Edmond plots revenge and despite all odds survives prison, finds a fortune and plays out a complex revenge against Fernand. Of course, there's twists and turns.
The book is considered a literary classic these days (written in 1844) and is among Dumas's most popular works along with The Three Musketeers.
I'm looking forward to it and to clearing a space on the top of my piano although I'll find something, or two something's, to replace it well before I'm through it I'm sure. I'll leave you with another quote from the book:
“Life is a storm, my young friend. You will bask in the sunlight one moment, be shattered on the rocks the next. What makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes. You must look into that storm and shout as you did in Rome. Do your worst, for I will do mine! Then the fates will know you as we know you” Alexandre Dumas [The Count of Monte Cristo]
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default
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The Empire Series was my favourite.
Daughter, Servant and Mistress. (not sure of the order).
Mara of the Acoma trying to survive and thrive in a feudal fantasy landscape. Brilliant.
Yep, good stuff huh? The mind that creates that sort of thing right? Amazing.
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Feist teamed up with Janny Wurtz for that series. Just found the whole lot gripping. The Hamoi Tong, Mara's spymaster. I want to say, Arakasi? It's been a while.
Intrigue, honour. It was based on Feudal Korea.
They had a few visits from Milamber/Pug. Tied it all in beautifully.
Yep, Arakasi, the spy guy. It was an awesome series. Now I want to read them all again!
I met Feist. Have a signed hard back copy of Magician. Cool huh?
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Those orange and black Minwinabi bastards. I'm still dark on them.
Yeah, those assholes!
Remember Keyoke and Papewaio, Mara’s military commanders. Hard core! Damn that’s a good trilogy!
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That's one of my favorite stories. I just finished re-reading it a few months ago. I really like both the book and the most recent movie adaptation. I think I prefer the movie since it's not quite as dark. Although I like the extra detail that the book brings to light.
I haven't read that one in a LONG time. I seem to recall enjoying it though.
I started getting a pile, er, neatly line up row, of books to read as well. I don't end up with much time to read so I turned to audio books. I have a 25-ish minute drive each way to work and it allows me to "read" books again.
I can't believe I've never read this book but am rectifying that now. Yes, audio books are good but I can't really get into them. I like the rustle of pages but understand time constraints and the benefit of audio books.
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I have a hefty book pile too, and I always seem to acquire books faster than I can read them. I will refrain from sending you a list of recommendations, although that was my first instinct when I read about your poor piano. "He made a space! He must need more books!"
I’m always keen for recommendations you know so don’t hesitate. I’ll thank you...But my long-suffering piano/book waiting area may not!
Thanks for commenting. Much appreciated.
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You'll just have to buy a bigger piano.
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Such a great book! So many lovely twists and turns and the writing is pretty powerful in spots. The most recent movie was a nice updating of it and did a good job piecing the plot together for a 2 hour show.
You mean the Jim Caviezel version? Good movie!
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Yep! It was pretty and generally well done.
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