annikav.a 10/08/2024
He did it once more
I could not possibly express, as I myself do not know entirely, just how far this book's influence reaches into western media. Edmond Dantes' journey feels as though we're accompanying the story of the very own foundations regarding modern storytelling, its roundness in character development, its rapidness, tragedy, irony, critical and most importantly, deeply enternaining nature. Be it literary wise or in the visual arts (since no one can deny this is quite the cinematic piece, with its lively descriptions, stunning parallels, carefully crafted scenes and witty dialogue), it is truly an unprecedented work for the ages. Edmond is by design an irresistible protagonist, forged across many ideals circulating at the time in Romantic circles. He opens up the gates of the "Corsican" and "Oriental" world to us whilst we're bewildered by his limitless power, intelligence and impossible schemes, which are always achieved.
Beyond that, speaking for myself, it was terribly fun and deeply pleasing to follow such a broad cast of, may I add, diverse and mostly hypocritical cast of characters interact and fall pray to every single type of misery and despair there is under the sun. This is true especially the main original horseman of the apocalypse, Danglars, Caderrouse, Fernand and Villefort. Edmond's enacted vengeance upon them as a fallen angel figure - wrongfully interpreted as God's own justice - is intrinsically personal to every single one of the wrongdoers in a way that keeps us always in the edge of our seats, as Dumas incorporates elements of fantasy, historical fantasy, suspense, mistery, even sometimes horror. At the end, they all truly brought it upon themselves, we can't even be mad about it. Not less entertaining are the secondary characters - namely Franz, Albert, Mercedès, Madame Danglars, Debray, Eugenie, Valentine, Noirtier, Morrel, Andrea, Bertuccio, Vampa- all of whom get some time to shine.
I leave with a favorite character, of course; Eugenie Danglars. The rich and enlightened young girl (to my eyes, a true force of nature, a heroine as saintly as Valentine) who confronted her father and fortune, ultimately imposing her own will, fleeing just before the chaos was installed to pursue a career in music side to side with her lover, Louise (rare sight of lesbian couple not villanized nor killed in 19th century literature: naturally Dumas gains points for that). Her story ends as an open book, as I think it should (I'd die to read 19th century fanfics about them). Actually, I'd have loved a more ambiguous ending for Edmond as well, but it is what it is. I already expected a duller part after everyone had already been struck by their avenging gods, but it was really disappointing to hold Valentine's comeback for that much just to have a scene with Haydèe and Edmond at the end (I can't be the only one who disapproved of their union) waving their goodbye both to the characters and the readers. All in all, this is one of the most memorable books I have ever had the pleasure to read.