It's easy to see why this has been a favorite of many for nearly two centuries! The Count of Monte Cristo is a classic revenge tale with liberal dashes of manners, swashbuckling, and romance (along with surprising pinches of telegraphy lessons, insider trading, drug-induced hallucinations, and 19th century-coded lesbians). While the story is long as only a serialized novel can be, I was enraptured from my first evening of reading, and many nights I only put it down because I physically had to sleep.

While I have not read other translations of the story, this unabridged version by Robin Buss for the Penguin Classics edition was phenomenal. Buss gave a "classical feel" to her translation without resorting to cumbersome or archaic language. As a result, the text is easily read and understood without losing the essence of Dumas' writing. I also appreciate that she she did cut out scenes that have been seen as distasteful by past translators.

So, while the length of The Count of Monte Cristo may be daunting, but I highly encourage anyone who is curious to give it a try!