The Count of Monte Cristo
Score Classic
What it's about
Edmond Dantès, a young merchant sailor, is framed for treason on his wedding day and thrown into an island fortress. After fourteen years, he escapes, and thanks to a fellow prisoner who told him where a hidden treasure lies, he returns to society, unrecognized, as the fabulously wealthy Count of Monte Cristo. His one purpose now is revenge on the men who betrayed him, whatever it costs.
Why it's worth reading
It's on both the BBC's Big Read and PBS's Great American Read, and it's one of the greatest adventure stories ever written. Few books are this long and this gripping.
You'll love it if you liked
Les Misérables, A Tale of Two Cities or The Pillars of the Earth
Good to know
It's over 1,200 pages in full; choose an unabridged translation, such as Robin Buss's. It's serialized storytelling, so it moves quickly.
Quick answers
Is The Count of Monte Cristo worth reading?
Yes. It's on both the BBC's Big Read and PBS's Great American Read, and it's one of the greatest adventure stories ever written. It ranks #248 of the 2,819 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 82.7 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Count of Monte Cristo about?
Edmond Dantès, a young merchant sailor, is framed for treason on his wedding day and thrown into an island fortress. After fourteen years, he escapes, and thanks to a fellow prisoner who told him where a hidden treasure lies, he returns to society, unrecognized, as the fabulously wealthy Count of Monte Cristo. His one purpose now is revenge on the men who betrayed him, whatever it costs.
How long does it take to read The Count of Monte Cristo?
About 32 hours (1276 pages), or about 9 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Count of Monte Cristo?
If you liked it, try Les Misérables by Victor Hugo, A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens or The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett.
By the numbers
- Readers98 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller65 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
On 2 canon lists, including PBS Great American Read.
Where it ranks
- #27 of the 116 historical novels we rank
- #77 of the 763 classics we rank
- #248 of the 2,819 books we rank
On the lists
- PBS Great American Read
- BBC's The Big Read
Reads as
Adventurous, Moving, Thought-provoking
