THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO - CHAPTERS 20-22 Starting to wrap things up to take a Christmas break, so I'm posting a little early this week! - This week our community has been rocked by a terrible tragedy involving teen brothers, a friend lost a sibling unexpectedly, and it was the 1 year anniversary of the passing of a close friend of mine. With these things floating around in my head as I opened my book to begin Chapter 20, Dumas' description of Abbe and the gulf of death that now separates him from Dantes was very real. It's amazing how HOPE has been such a theme so far in this book, and it is the HOPE we have in Christ that we cling to in the face of these losses. - We begin to see Dantes' HOPE pendulum swing in the face of this loss. For a moment the idea of suicide returns, but Dantes is an honorable man with a " thirst for life and freedom." With this in mind a plan goes into action, a parting gift from Abbe that he never knew he gave, a chance at life again. -Similes abound in our text   -about suicide "returned like a ghost and rose up beside Faria's corpse."   -when he realizes the possibility of escape " his gaze fixed, like a man who has been suddenly struck with an idea .."    -when he hits the water "he plunged like an arrow into icy water " -Let's talk about Dantes metaphorical "baptism/rebirth" into his new life 14 years later. Sewn into the burial sack, dumped into the water, reborn from a womb of death, a new man emerges. Who exactly that man is we haven't discovered yet. Interestingly the story points out to us after his shave, fresh clothes, change in features from imprisonment, his best friend wouldn't have recognized Dantes. -An internal oath was made by Dantes, and we, the reader, are now aware of it. Vengeance. It has become a reality as Dantes is now free. -The Smugglers- we are introduced to two main things that stuck out to me about them. First one of the smugglers has been named to us, Jacopo, and it is clear that there is a dedication and friendship forming between Dantes and him. The second is the appearance of the Island of Monte Cristo. Foreshadowing is in the air. Thoughts and comments?

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO - CHAPTERS 23-25 To all of our new members we have a book club running. Each week those who have desired to participate read (or listen to) 3 chapters, and I put a few points out on the week's reading on Thursday and Friday. Normally Thursday is a question day and Friday is the response day. This amazing classic has 117 chapters and 1243 pages. Yes, we are doing the complete novel! Feel free to jump in and join us. This was started so that anyone can join at any time, and if you love it, feel free to plow right through it and not worry about staying right with us! With that being said I know of at least 1 person that started with us and has listened to it all! She has just raved about it. She told me she's now going to go back and do it again with the group. How cool is that? Thoughts for this week- Spoiler Alert!! Do not read if you haven't read the chapters!! I don't know about you guys, but I was on the edge of my seat as we approached Monte Cristo. Dumas is a master of suspense and Dantes' "hope" was again registering the highest of highs to the lowest of lows through these chapters. Thoughts on Edmond's dream in the beginning of Chpt 25? Trace the "hope" path in these 3 chapters. Did you fall for Dantes' "accident?" I'm going to take a moment to say I am loving the faithfulness of Jacopo. Did you note the allusions to Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves? If you have never read this Arabian tale, it is worth it. Chapt. 26 opens with a beautiful scene that helps us imagine everything is good in the world. Looking back at Dantes' life I was wondering if this would be the calm before another storm. When Dantes' enters into the cavern sparkling with the granite, it just kept popping into my head about fools gold and settling for something less than what is available round around the "bend." I was urging Dantes' to "keep going!" The moment of the clang of the pick ax against the chest, and the eventual lifting of the lid...were you not there with Dantes' shaking in wonder and possibility? And after all that, he sets out to find out where everyone from his past is. Buckle your seatbelts folks. We're in for a ride!

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO - CHAPTERS 26-28 A Just when I start to think that our adventures can't get any better Dumas peels back another layer to this amazing tale! It is hard not to keep on going! My book has underlines and notes all over it! When my husband and I were first married, there was a show on TV called The Pretender. The idea of the show was that a boy was taken from his family and raised in a place called "The Center." He was unbelievably brilliant. One day he escapes from The Center. Every week he becomes someone new, able to work in any field and in any position. In doing so, he attempts to find and piece together clues to his past. Dumas takes us on a similar journey with Dantes this week.  Dantes needs to be sure of the events that led up to his arrest and imprisonment. It's time to verify the conclusions that he and Faria came to. First stop - Gaspard Caderousse. Comments and thoughts on his conversation with Caderousse. Did you feel that he deserved the diamond? Second stop - M. de Boville. Comments and thoughts on his visit with Boville. I loved the quote," The man made a deep impression on me. I shall never forget his face." Obviously from Boville's startled expression when they first meet, he knows that he's meet this man before. His mind is so occupied that he doesn't take the time to place him thank goodness! Whew! And I don't know if there's something up with locusts and their "monotonous call" but they've shown up right before the conversation with Caderousse and before Dantes discovers the treasure. Is this just a couple of times happening or do we have some type of ominous foreshadowing or some type of monotony before something big occurs? Not sure, but I'm on the lookout for locusts! My thoughts on the conversations tomorrow!

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO - CHAPTERS 26-28 B Just a few thoughts on the conversations- with Caderousse - One of the biggest things that stuck out to me is the conversation of the righteous man being rewarded and the wicked punished (according to the priest - Dantes) and Caderousse sharing his tale of the opposite, how Danglars and Fernand are being heavily rewarded despite the evil they have done. Not too long ago Dantes was in prison wondering why these things had happened to him. Is he starting to think that he is being rewarded since he is righteous (innocent, escaped prison and been given an amazing treasure) or is he about to take matters into his own hands to right the wrongs. Are all these happenings because of God or man? Not only has he confirmed the people that worked against him. He has also confirmed those who were faithful to him. And the diamond - is it real or fake? Did he deserve it? I personally feel that it is real. As to whether he deserved it, I wanted to loudly protest and cry out, "Traitor! Coward!" Deep inside a small voice reminded me of all the times that I had stood by when wrongs were done. Do you not love Caderousse's excuse "politics?" Can we all understand that in today's world? I find that just as Jesus addressed the Pharisees saying "That he who is without sin cast the first stone," you hear the sound of the plop as mine hits the ground in this matter. conversation with M. de Boville- Can you just imagine the scene of Dantes laughing with Boville about what his face looked like when he found out where the cemetery was for dead prisoners (body tied with a cannonball around their feet and dropped in the water) in his attempt to escape. I loved the description of him laughing through clenched teeth. To the world Edmond Dantes is dead. He verifies Villefort's hand in all of this. Game on!

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO - CHAPTERS 29-31 So we enter the series of chapters that take us through the rewards of Dantes' faithful friend, Morrel. There are so many parts to these chapters that could be discussed: - the description of the current state of the House of Morrel. I could not help but in my mind parallel Dantes' journey of life and celebration to imprisonment and expected death to the description of Morrel's Company. It would have been a place bustling with deliveries and people. Excitement and laughter punctuating the air now degraded to an "Indefinable air of sadness and death." Undeserved, through no fault of his own. -the loyalty of Emmanuel Herbault and Cocles with his "unshakeable faith" and the crew of the Pharaon. -Morrel's concern for the safety of his crew over the loss of his ship (which guarantees his ruin) -the denial for help from Danglars -the saving of Morrel who still thought of others first with his near suicide attempt (were you not hurrying the daughter to get back in time with the red bag that had once been given to another in attempt to save that person's life?) -the resurrection of the Pharaon (or actually it's replacement) -Dantes' words at "taking Providence's place to reward the good" but praying for Providence's favor for his (Dante's) turn to revenge now. And then we meet the unknown character of Sinbad the Sailor and his interaction with an aristocrat named Franz. Who is he, and where is he headed next? I have a slight wonder....

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO - CHAPTERS 32-35 I'm going to back up just a moment to chpt. 31. It's important to note that 10 years have passed since Dantes rewarded the faithful. In those 10 years the Count of Monte Cristo has been relatively quiet and a new person has joined our cast- Sinbad the Sailor. When I am out and about, I really enjoy running into those of you who are reading TCOMC. I find it so interesting to hear what is resonating with you about this great classic! One of you, who has already listened to the entirety of the book and is now reading it, told me to watch the names in this story! They are so important. What a wonderful piece of advice! So with that in mind- Who is Sinbad the Sailor? Who is Vicomte Albert de Morcerf? Dumas weaves us a tale this week following the footsteps of a young aristocrat named Franz. This may sound funny, but I found myself absolutely enthralled with Dumas' descriptions. He is a master of strong adjectives and action verbs. I found myself going back through and rereading passages, hunting to see how many "being" verbs he used. Very little! Because of this, we find ourselves in the middle of the action, seeing the beauty of the descriptions as an actual observer instead of being told about it. It also gives us a feeling that our character, Sinbad, is larger than life. To round things out for this week there was a significant amount of time spent with bandits. Travel carefully, friends! Heed the warnings to not stray out in certain areas of the city at night! Something tells me we haven't seen the last of these lawless men.

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO - CHAPTERS 35-37 TCOMC journeyed with me to Meadowbrook for a basketball game last night. This book has seen a few miles! Each time I finish up our reading I find myself shaking my head wondering how Dumas can keep so much excitement going! Certainly, there has to be a moment of lull, but instead the storm continues to rise! Did you figure out who Albert is? If not, he is the son of Fernand and Mercedes. Does the count's interest now make sense? Do we now understand the tremble in the handshake? Questions are answered but new questions constantly arise. There is an air of constant mystery around our count as to his relations with so many different types of people such as the bandits. Poor Albert and his failings at love! Last thing I want to mention in this reading is the imagery of the mocoletto candles at the close of the carnival. The quote " The same is true of the mocoletto as of life: mankind has so far found only one way of transmitting it, which he owes to God. But he has found a thousand ways to extinguish it- and here the Devil has surely given him some little help" gives us an image of what the count was earlier discussing with Franz and Albert before the executions. Franz's melancholy and despair at the point of extinguishing the candles is very telling as well. Speaking of that, the count has revealed his plan to us. No quick death is in the works for those that have wronged our protagonist. Intense suffering and pain equal to what he has experienced is on the menu for these men. He has the means and connections to accomplish just that.

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO -CHAPTERS 38-40 Is anyone else giving a great big HOORAY  that we have read 467 PAGES? This is a HUGE accomplishment!! Way to go!! As our adventure packed tale moves us along, we find the door the count will use to enter into the lives that are due his retribution, the saving of Albert. Albert is now in his debt and has promised to introduce him to Paris Society when he arrives in 3 months time, May 21 at precisely 10:30 am. Let's start with quotes and descriptions that stuck out. Did you notice anything? I had a few. -The count's truthfulness always strikes me. His quote to Albert about his rescue is no exception. "I assure you that I was only waiting for this opportunity to carry out some plans that I have been considering for a long while." - How about when Franz shook the hand of the count? "It was as icy as the hand of a corpse." Death is in the air. The Guests- We are beginning to see the hand of God or Fate play into things. I mention Fate, because I don't know that our count would credit God's hand in things. After all, while Monte Cristo orchestrated the meeting in Paris, how telling is his surprise to find out that Albert is considering marrying Baron Danglars daughter. Who would have guessed that Morrel, the son of Dantes' faithful boss from long ago, would also be present? Thoughts on Monte Cristo's handcrafted sleeping cure? Any comments on the count's words of how he never worries about his neighbor or society? Does he hold them in low esteem and neutral? Another satisfying 3 chapters!!

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO - CHAPTERS 41-43 Were we not all waiting for these chapters? The moment our count sees Mercedes after all this time. And she KNOWS who it is. The paleness, the faintness, the trembling. A testimony to love. But we need to back up a little. Spending time in Albert's bachelor pad gives us a deeper knowledge of the count. His knowledge of places, weapons, art, etc lets us know what he has been up to with some of his in between prison and retribution time. Then we have the intense emotion from the count of the painting in Albert's bedroom of his mother. The picture his father hated. Why do you think he hated it so much?Hint- what is she wearing and what is the background to the painting? Then the meeting of the Comte de Morcerf, Albert's father, aka Fernand. Did you not love his words to Monte Cristo, "He has done our family such a favour, in preserving its only heir, that it will elicit our ETERNAL GRATITUDE." (Capitalization done by me) Fernand in Edmond's eternal gratitude? Can you believe it? The count knows this man inside and out. He has tracked him and his accomplishments over the years. He knows how to appeal to his vanity. Then the meeting of Mercedes. Her after warnings to Albert. And what is the story with Bertuccio? Why the terror of being back at the house at Auteuil, the home of Villefort's father-in-law? You better believe Monte Cristo has a plan playing out and not one step has been left to chance.

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO - CHAPTERS 44-46 Bertuccio shares his story with the count of the history he has with the count's newly purchased house. Some key information is learned. -Monte Cristo was not the only man Villefort wronged.(Does your skin not crawl every time he starts talking about politics? Whenever he opens his mouth it is so evident that the only loyalty he knows is to himself.)  -It cost him his life. -Villefort had a newborn son. Where is that son now? Thoughts on the difference between murder and vendetta? Bertuccio is quick to emphasize the difference. Then we are given more info on Caderousse and his wife after they were given the diamond and go to sell it. Is he a murderer, a thief, or both? Is he as innocent as he portrayed himself? Where has he gone? Then the last chapter brings us face to face with Danglars. We have been biding our time for this one, haven't we? An unlimited credit at Danglars' bank? What is our count cooking up? I smell complete and utter ruin on the menu.

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO - CHAPTERS 47-49 So many things to discuss from these chapters! We are seeing Monte Cristo orchestrate meetings with his enemies (unbeknownst to them!) and gaining their wonder, admiration, and trust. He is invited into their personal spaces, because he knows their weaknesses and how to appeal to them! -Who rules the roost of Danglars' home? The Baroness! Her rooms are off limits to her husband unless he brings someone of interest. Her curiosity antennae is already pointed the count's direction because of the gossip coming her way, but her horses! That seals the deal! The count's quote, "I have achieved my aim. I now hold the domestic bliss of this household in my hands, and I am simultaneously about to win the heart of the Baron and that of his wife" is priceless! -Villefort is not dead! Who did Bertuccio kill? -The way to Villefort's attentions- the saving of his wife and son, but the ultimate hook is the deep discussion that happens between him and the count. There is so much that happens here. What started out as a duty quickly turns to awe as the count wields his knowledge of the legal systems of many countries. His ability to correctly pinpoint the focus of those in authority as being the workings of the system instead of the common man. (Anyone care to travel down that path in comparison/contrast of our government?) -We also get a good view into Monte Cristo. His enemies - distance, time, and that he is mortal! The deal he made with the devil because of the "terrible ambition" that was "devouring his soul." -Thoughts on the personification of Providence as a daughter of God? -How about that the devil had the ability to make Cristo an agent of Providence? -Lastly why is it so important that Haydee keeps her birth, past, and parents a secret?

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO - CHAPTERS 50-52 Did it take you a minute to place Emmanuel and Julie? If it did remember back to Dantes shipping boss Morrel who was so dedicated to helping him. Julie was his daughter and Emmanuel his employee who were unable to get married because of money until the count secretly helped. Monte Cristo is clearly moved by the love, devotion, and hard work of this couple when he visits their home. The moment that Maximilien shares that his father believed the family benefactor was Edmond Dantes was definitely an intense moment. Then the count's voice awakens a memory in Julie's mind that she can't quite place. Will the count's true identity be discovered? From here we are privy to a secret love between Maximilien Morrel and Valentine daughter of Villefort's first wife. Bits and pieces of the past come back into focus as Valentine overhears Danglars and her father discuss the Morrel family. Note the dislike for the Morrel family by Valentine's father but the respect for them from the grandfather. (Do you remember the back history of Villefort's father that was the nail in the coffin for Dantes?) Then the count arrives at Villefort's house. The count has met Madame de Villefort before under the pretense of a doctor. Their discussion turns to one of poisons, and I feel like I am in the middle of an Agatha Christie novel. And what in the world was meant by, "As for Monte Cristo, the visit had succeeded beyond his expectations. 'Well, indeed,' he thought, as he went out, 'this is fertile soil, and I am certain that the seed that falls in it will not remain barren.' "