Missing chapters, plot points, and a few hours of my life.
I won't give a summary or verdict yet as I didn't actually get to read this book. Let me take a minute to explain why.
In an effort to expand my repertoire of literature, I picked up The Count of Monte Cristo and my local Barnes&Noble (love B&N for the record). This copy was on sale so I thought, "why not!"
Here's why not: It's missing chapters!
Yes, I know that this copy was an abridged version (it kinda has to be seeing as the original was three volumes). However, shortened should not mean incomplete! If there's one thing you don't mess with, it's an English major's classic literature.
I wasn't quite understanding what was going on, but that's not impossible to happen in older publications. So I turned for a brief explanation to SparkNotes. There I found what I was missing, which was two whole chapters from the first 100 pages.
In the original, there's a whole scene showing how Dantès' enemies are plotting against him and another showing Villefort's cover-up with his father. This edition has none of that.
I'm not sure if this is the case with all B&N Classic editions (I sure hope not as I have several sitting on my bookshelf waiting to be read). I'll try and find out.
For the record, if you're willing to give up a little of the plot, it was a fast, if a bit clunky, read. I'd attribute that to Dumas' plot though.
As far as Dumas' book goes, I'm glad I discovered this before I got too far into. I hope this can be a fair warning to others. In the meantime, I'll try to find a complete edition at the library.
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