The Abbreviated Monte Cristo
The Abbreviated Monte Cristo
Everything you've ever wanted to know about Abridged editions, Children's editions, Comics and Manga and Movie versions of The Count of Monte Cristo
The answer is not exactly easy or obvious. Different audiences have different needs, expectations and desires. The actual Alexandre Dumas novel was written in 1844 in French, and was quickly translated into English. The most famous unabridged English edition was done in 1846, and published by Chapman-Hall and is in public domain and is available for free on the Internet.
Alternatively, there is a revised, re-translated unabridged edition by Robin Buss, done in 1996 (and still in copyright). It's brilliant, and the translation into modern English makes it definitive for scholars, bibliophiles and hardcore fans of the book. An unabridged version, whether it's from Chapman-Hall or Robin Buss, is about 1,200 pages.
But is it right for everyone? My answer is "no". There's other
audiences to consider: children, junior-high and high-schoolers,
non-native English speakers, and busy adults who may not have the time
to read the complete work, with all of the multiple plot threads and
large cast of characters (and their connections) to keep track of. Some people just want the story itself, without all of the additional minutiae (French politics, paintings, mythology, and literary references that needed 30 pages of
explanatory notes, provided by Robin Buss in his unabridged edition).
One size does not fit all.
And that's where ABRIDGED EDITIONS come in! I will say it once, with emphasis: Not all abridged editions are bad! Don't knock it 'til you've tried it. There is an edition of The Count of Monte Cristo for each audience, and everybody deserves to read a good one.
It's just a case of finding the right one and avoiding the fast-buck trash masquerading as The Count of Monte Cristo! And that's what I'm here for, with the results of my months-long research project!
Main Site:
- TL:DNR? The Best of Monte Cristo (no spoilers!)
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Section One:
- Section One Supplement: How to Identify a "Standard Abridged Edition" of The Count of Monte Cristo
- Wording Comparisons between different editions
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Section Two:
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Section Three:
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Section Four:
- Section Five: Monte Cristo at the Movies:
- Monte Cristo at the Movies, Part 1 (1918-1959)
- Monte Cristo at the Movies, Part 2 (1960-present)
- A deeper dive into Monte Cristo at the Movies (rantings and ramblings)!
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Section Six:
- Section Seven: Awful 19th-century "sequels" to Monte Cristo:
- The Hand of the Dead by Alfredo Hogan (1854)
- The Lord of the World by Adolf Mützelburg (1856)
- The Wife of Monte Cristo/Son of Monte Cristo (Part I) by Jules Lermina (1881)
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The Son of Monte Cristo (Part II) by Jules Lermina (1881)
- The Treasure of Monte Cristo by Jules Lermina (1885)
- Edmond Dantes by Edmund Flagg (1884)
- Monte Cristo's Daughter by Edmund Flagg (1886)
Miscellaneous Monte Cristo-related:
- The Winners and Losers of Monte Cristo
- Monte Cristo: A Play by Charles Fetcher, updated by James O'Neill (1883)
- Crap Movie-Time: A Modern Monte Cristo (1917)
- Book Roast: featuring Wuthering Heights, Edmond Dantes and Heathcliff
- Book Roast: Exact Revenge by Tim Green
- The Sultan of Monte Cristo by Holy Ghost Writer (2013)
Favorite Links:
-
WeLoveTranslations ⮜ Lucy Day's extremely helpful and informational site, comparing translations of selected classics.
- SomePeopleJuggleGeese ⮜ Lucy Day's original site, which helped me get a handle on things when I was a Monte Cristo noob and didn't know where to start.
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Wise Wolf's Review Corner ⮜ Great reviews of Monte Cristo movies, differing somewhat from my own opinions and conclusions. Very thorough and well-written. Be sure to read 'em all (check the sidebar).
- The Accounts of Monte Cristo ⮜ Simon reviews movies, TV series, related books, radio shows and misc. including the stuff I don't have patience for.
Questions? Comments? Have an abridged book that you'd like me to include (or send to me)? Have an alternative POV and want to review any of these books? Fill in the "Comments" section below!
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