Monte Cristo Wording Comparisons in Different Editions: First Paragraph
Monte Cristo Wording Comparisons in Different Editions: First Paragraph
So you're in an antique or used book store, and you spot a vintage edition of The Count of Monte Cristo. Or you're browsing ebooks and you spot one with a different cover. Do you have that one already? Is the text content different from what you already have? Is it abridged? Is it something unique? Where did it really come from? What IS it?Let me help you!
There ARE wording differences between the famous 1846 Chapman-Hall translation, and its various abridged offspring, new translations or new re-worded adaptations! So these random dusty tomes or ebooks from unknown companies can usually be identified by looking at the first paragraph on the first page. Who knows! Maybe you're finding something good, or avoiding something not-so-good (e.g. Standard Abridged Edition).
You can find my complete book recommendations here:
It's also very interesting to see how language evolved over time.
Edmund Dantes, first mate of the ship Pharaon, belonging to the port of Marseilles, an experienced sailor although a young man, was, by the sudden illness and death of the captain, called to the charge of the ship and its valuable cargo, when bound from the Levant to Marseilles.
ABRIDGED
On the 28th February, 1815, the tower of Notre Dame de la Garde signaled a three-master, named the Pharaon, from Smyrna, Trieste, and Naples. According to custom, a pilot immediately started from the port, coasted past the Chateau d' If, and boarded the vessel between the Cape Mongiou and the Island of Rion. The platform of Fort St. Jean was immediately covered with a crowd of curious people; for the arrival of a vessel is always a very interesting sight to the inhabitants of Marseilles, especially when that vessel, like the Pharaon, has been built, rigged and equipped in the dock-yards of Ancient Phocoea, and is the property of a merchant and shipowner of the town.
ABRIDGED
On the 24th of February, 1815, the lookout at Notre-Dame de la Garde signalled the three-master, the Pharaon from Smyrna, Trieste, and Naples.
As usual, a pilot put off immediately, and rounding the Château d’If, got on board the vessel between Cape Morgiou and Rion island.
Immediately, and according to custom, the ramparts of Fort Saint-Jean were covered with spectators; it is always an event at Marseilles for a ship to come into port, especially when this ship, like the Pharaon, has been built, rigged, and laden at the old Phocee docks, and belongs to an owner of the city.
UNABRIDGED
On the 24th of February, 1815, the lookout of Notre Dame de la Garde lighthouse of Marseilles signalled the arrival of the three-masted schooner, the Pharaoh, homeward bound from Smyrna, Trieste and Naples.
As usual, a pilot boat instantly shot out of the port, skimmed by the Chateau d'If, and ran up to send a pilot aboard the ship between Cape Morgion and Rion Island. As much a matter of course, the promenade platform of Fort St. Jean was covered with sight-seers, for it is always an event at Marseilles to see a ship come up when, in particular, like the Pharaoh, it was built, rigged, and fitted out from the stocks and docks of ancient Phoceum, and belonged to a native owner.
ABRIDGED
On the 24th of February, 1815, the Marseilles port lookouts signalled that the three-master Pharaoh was coming up the harbor. She belonged to Morrel and Son, and was homeward bound from Smyrna, Trieste and Naples. The pilot boat ran out to meet her, and the idlers congregated on the waterside to see her come into her mooring-place, with the more interest as she had been built, launched and fitted out from this ancient port.
ABRIDGED
On the 24th of February, 1815, the watch-tower of Notre-Dame de la Garde signalled the arrival of the three-master Pharaon, from Smyrna, Trieste, and Naples.
The usual crowd of curious spectators immediately filled the quay of Fort Saint-Jean, for at Marseilles the arrival of a ship is always a great event, especially when that ship, as was the case with the Pharaon, has been built, rigged, and laden in the dockyard of old Phocaea and belongs to a shipowner of their own town.
ABRIDGED
On the 24th of February, 1815, the lookout at Notre-Dame de la Garde signalled the three-master, the Pharaon from Smyrna, Trieste, and Naples. A pilot put off and, rounding the Château d’If, got on board the vessel. Immediately, according to custom, the ramparts of Fort Saint-Jean were covered with spectators.
ABRIDGED
One February day in the year 1815, a great crowd of people stood on one of the piers that line the harbor of Marseilles, the chief seaport in southern France. They were watching a vessel come in to port. Among them was the owner of the ship.
ABRIDGED
On February 24, 1815, the watchtower at Marseilles signaled the arrival of the three-master Pharaon, coming from Smyrna, Trieste and Naples.
The quay was soon covered with the usual crowd of curious onlookers, for the arrival of a ship is always a great event in Marseilles, especially when, like the Pharaon, it has been built, rigged and laden in the city and belongs to a local shipowner.
ABRIDGED
On the 24th of February, 1815, the watch-tower of Notre-Dame de la Garde signalled the arrival of the three-master Pharaon, from Smyrna, Trieste, and Naples.
The usual crowd of curious spectators immediately filled the quay of Fort Saint-Jean, for at Marseilles the arrival of a ship is always a great event, especially when that ship belongs to a shipowner of their own town.
ABRIDGED
On February 24th, 1815, the lookout at Notre-Dame de la Garde signalled the arrival of the three-master Pharaon, coming from Smyrna, Trieste, and Naples. As usual, a coastal pilot immediately left the port, sailed hard by the Château d’If, and boarded the ship between the Cap de Morgiou and the island of Rion.
At once (as was also customary), the terrace of Fort Saint-Jean was thronged with onlookers, because the arrival of a ship is always a great event in Marseille, particularly when the vessel, like the Pharaon, has been built, fitted out and laded in the shipyards of the old port, and belongs to an owner from the town.
UNABRIDGED
It was always a special event for a ship to come into port at Marseilles. This one was no exception. She was the Pharaon, and spectators had covered the docks just to see her. This particular beauty belonged to a resident of the city.
ABRIDGED
I've also noticed that reprints of old abridgements appear unexpectedly, such as the 2021 Flame Tree Collectable Classics bringing back the old 1846 first English (abridged) translation of The Prisoner of If!
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