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The book has been really interesting to me. It's a lot different than the movie, so much that I am wondering why they didn't do it the way the book did.

Simply because it would have been too long. There is a version out there that is more in keeping with the book, though. I want to say it was a t.v. series and starred Gérard Depardieu. I have never seen it but I heard it was pretty good. It may be worth checking out. Monte Cristo has such a captivating tale as I have never quite met again in such a long novel. Dumas is truly a master of the long fiction.

Well thank you so much for your input to someone who is very ignorant to novels ( seriously!) I am hoping to hear from my friends who are reading it with me. I'm feeling pretty lonely. Maybe we can all chat about it? I will give it a couple of days and then just assume that those who wanted to just abandoned the idea...

Oh, don't feel lonely Tiffani, I'm right here with you!

I have never seen the movie, or the TV series. I am going to check out my library for the movie after I have finished. Actually, I have no knowledge of this story what so ever, which is exciting because I have no idea what to expect next.

I have to say, I am captivated by this story. I can't put the book down, I'm about 700 pages in. I'll start reading and the next thing I know, a few hours and a few hundred pages have gone by.

I was interested to see how Dumas would keep interest in what appears to be such a simple story. He has done this with his characters. The circle of characters grows larger and larger as the book progresses, and they are very real to me. Dumas also has a great sense of humor!

Has anyone noticed something interesting with the names that Dumas has chosen for his main characters? There is Danglars, with could mean “dangerous”, there is Villefort, which could mean “villainous”, and then there is Morrel, which could mean “moral”. The names of these characters seem to describe them.

Wow! 700 pages in. That is awesome. I am way way behind you. I like your thoughts on the name ideas. I'm going to spend a little more time reading the book. I love how the book sucks me in and I am there in Marseilles with them.

Take your time Tiffani.

I've started writing down the list of characters and their relationship to one another. It's starts to get a little confusing trying to remember these relationships and these relationships get very important towards the end.

I'm glad you are enjoying the book, I am too. I agree with you, Dumas really pulls you into the setting, characters and story. He is truly a master story teller.

I have to admit, I don't think I noticed that Suzanne That's interesting.

What may be most interesting is the name, Edmond Dantes. Dumas does mention Dante's "Inferno" in CMC. Is there any connection between Edmond Dantes and Dante's"Inferno"? There could be. Edmond loses his strong belief in God while in the dungeon. I can think of no lower place, or no lower level of exsistance for a man than in that horrible pit. Edmond works his way up, through the levels of hell, as in Dante's "Inferno", passing all the crimes of each level to finally reach the top, crawl out of hell, and once again embrace God. Dante's "Inferno" in reverse. Hmmm???

Or, I could be full of shit

Well...
You could be but when it sounds that good, you gotta just to with it. I'm reading NOW!