No one needs my opinion about a 200-year-old classic. But here I am, offering it anyways.

I think a lot of the beauty people find in this book is how all the disparate threads and trails come together. Dumas (and uncredited friend?) do an amazing job bringing everything to a cogent end. However, in order to get to that point, there is a LOT - like 500 pages - of middle to get through. There were moments, certainly, where I was deeply invested. And then we had to read like a billion pages of Villefort's philosophical grandstanding and Morrel being dumb, and I lost the will to go on. The characterization could have been stronger. Some of the characters were inconsistent or shallow. That said, I was 100% all in for all scenes Albert. Last thing: I'm not sure I learned my lesson. Is revenge a bad thing?

Was it worth it? If I'd been reading by myself, I don't know. But I read with a fun group where we had a lot of interesting arguments. I'm glad I did it, for the company I kept while reading.

Anyways, available to co-write a sequel/spin-off based on Albert, if anyone wants to partner up.