THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO - CHAPTERS 62-64

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO - CHAPTERS 62-64

I went to take a picture this morning for this post. I have a beautiful pot of purple pansies on the counter, so I propped the book up and snapped the picture. Putting the picture into the post I realized I can't use this picture with the beautiful flowers. The storms are brewing in our reading, and we need a picture that reflects that. The only element of beauty is the amazing work that was done to the house in preparation for this meal. (Wow there's a lot of alliteration in that paragraph!)

Let's talk about the house. I was hooked at Library and Conservatory! Unfortunately, that's not where we can focus! This house, from the front, is almost plain and unassuming and remains that way per the count's instructions. How different then his usual opulent lifestyle in every area. But this house holds secrets that two of the attendees know, and tonight is all about remembering the past and bringing it to light!

Once the group crosses the threshold into the house we are back to the lavish lifestyle of our count. He woos the party with his decor and the meal, especially the transportation of the fish. He has literally hooked them all and reeled them in, has he not?

However, we are given a little tremor of terror, of things to come when the count's servant M. Bertuccio looks upon the guests and identifies Madame Danglars as the young woman who gave birth, Villefort, who he thought he killed, and BENEDETTO! Do you remember who he is? The infant supposed dead, buried in the backyard that Bertuccio rescued and kept - the child of Madame Danglars and Villefort.

I am making this post too long, but the BEDROOM that was left in its original state needs to be discussed. The count's masterful telling of the "blood-red awning" and the portraits that whisper to each other what they saw. The carrying down the steps of a "grim bundle" out to the garden. Then he switches gears and tells of a new mother in the room with her respectable husband carrying his new child. Is it any wonder Villefort and Madame Danglars are pale and passing out? Then wonderful Madame Villefort has her concoction to revive Madame Danglars.

Monte Cristo pounds the nail in the coffin with the revelation of the little skeleton that was found in the garden. Oh he is a masterful story teller! Now Villefort and Madame Danglars decide they must meet.

But that isn't where it ends- oh no! Just when it feels like we can't handle any more revelations, out from the darkness steps Caderousse. What a mess he is now. Wonder what happened to the jewels he once had. And he knows the young man playing the son of Major Cavalcanti, the real Benedetto, and he isn't about to crawl back into the gutter. Oh no, he's going to ride this train as long as he can. He's not quite the bumbling buffoon I took him to be.