PJr and CPG liked, so I tried this - a true "adventure" story, I'd say - well worth reading. Easy to see why it is, and I expect will endure as, a classic. Certainly made the time at the gym go by quickly. Even if the book is quite long - as Umberto Eco explains in a nice "introduction," Dumas needed money and was paid by the word for this serialized work. But the length, and repetitiveness, somehow draw or propel the story forward, I think.
The basic plot is well-known from multiple movie versions. Edmond Dantes ends up in prison due to machinations of Danglars, Fernand, Caderrouse, Villefort - Dantes was framed as a Bonapartist when that was a dangerous thing to be. Spends many years in prison; meets the abbe; loses Mercedes; acquires the abbe's hidden treasure following the daring escape; pursues revenge; some innocent folks suffer in addition to all the guilty parties; he has some regrets but ultimately handles it. Became an expert in just about everything.
Italian bandits - Luigi Vampa, Pepino. Danglars' scheming wife. Villefort's deadly second wife. Valentine and Maximilian Morrel. Valentine's grandfather (old man Noirtier). The Count's household help: Ali, Bertuccio (with son Benedetto (also known as Prince Cavalcanti). Mercedes's son - the duel. Haydee. And many more.
The plot line makes more sense if the reader has a little background with French history in first half of 19th century. But this is definitely not needed to enjoy the tale.
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