Kendall Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 Somehow we are almost ready for the next lit book and I haven't chosen our next book. I'm trying to decided between The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo. My boys are 10th and 12th. I haven't read either of these. My SIL thinks that Three Musketeers has better themes. Are both equally appropriate for these ages with regard to content? enjoyment? Thanks, Kendall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Marple Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 My all time, number one favorite book is The Count of Monte Cristo. Three Musketeers is also great, but most kids are familiar on some level with the story line. I have found few kids who have read The Count of Monte Cristo. The themes, IMO, are far deeper than those of the other book. I think everyone can relate on some level to "being done wrong" and the feelings that engenders which makes The Count of Monte Cristo so timeless, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faithr Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 I second the Count of Monte Cristo. It is fantastic! We had so many really good discussions inspired by this book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imprimis Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 Dd is about half way through The Count of Monte Cristo and says the storyline is fascinating, the writing descriptive, and she is surprised at how much she is enjoying this book. I have never read it, (have started it a few times...) but it's on my "need to read" list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vida Winter Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 Another vote for Monte Cristo. I listened to an unabridged audio last year and it was memorable, certainly now a favorite of mine. I don't know how I would have finished the book had I not been listening -- it was quite long! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kendall Posted October 26, 2009 Author Share Posted October 26, 2009 Thanks so much for the input. What discussion topics did you have or would you recommend for Count of Monte Cristo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faithr Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 I think The Count of Monte Cristo is so provocative that you won't need to look around for discussion questions! The issues of justice, revenge, forgiveness, mercy, honor, etc are so poignantly palpable and every chapter is basically a cliffhanger so that one feels very compelled to discuss all the exciting things that are going on. It isn't the type of book where you have to dig for meaning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle in MO Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 I think The Count of Monte Cristo is so provocative that you won't need to look around for discussion questions! The issues of justice, revenge, forgiveness, mercy, honor, etc are so poignantly palpable and every chapter is basically a cliffhanger so that one feels very compelled to discuss all the exciting things that are going on. It isn't the type of book where you have to dig for meaning. Maybe a dumb question, but is it worth getting the unabridged version? We have an abridged version which is 600+ pages (one of the Barnes & Noble classics series). I have not read the book, but saw the film adaptation with Jim Caviezel. Yes, there are so many wonderful themes, as you've mentioned, of revenge, mercy, redemption, etc., that I've always wanted to read this book. Also, any recommendations for a particular edition? Is it fine to start with the abridged version? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faithr Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 I know I've seen the Jim Caviezel movie and it was very good, but as I recall it really simplified and changed some of the story (which I think is necessary when putting it into movie form; it is such a long and complicated story!). I don't really know about abridged versions. The one I read is from B&N Classics and it says 'abridged' though it still manages to be 618 pages! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Marple Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 I have The Count of Monte Cristo in the 2 original volumes. I don't think you would miss anything substantial by reading the more popular abridged version. Most people don't even realize that the really long book they see at the store is abridged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle in MO Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 I have The Count of Monte Cristo in the 2 original volumes. I don't think you would miss anything substantial by reading the more popular abridged version. Most people don't even realize that the really long book they see at the store is abridged. I know; I didn't even notice that the book was abridged when we bought it! I remember listening to some Veritas Press Teacher Training recordings on my MP3 player, and Ty Fischer was saying that a student asked him for a book recommendation while he and his family went on vacation for a week. Mr. Fischer recommended The Count of Monte Cristo and the student came back after his vacation and said, "That book was 1200 pages long!" Apparently Mr. Fischer had the abridged version as well. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kendall Posted October 27, 2009 Author Share Posted October 27, 2009 Thanks so much everyone. What I really want to do is read both books myself, but based on your input I think I'll read Count of Monte Cristo. I have an offshoot questions regarding literature discussions (which I'm lousy at). Do you discuss along the way or when they finish? I don't want to give things away accidentally(which I've come close to doing for several books they have read. Yet it seems like with such a long book I shouldn't wait until the end. I could just read Count at their pace so that I don't know any more than they do. But I'm not sure I could stand reading it that slow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 I think The Count of Monte Cristo is so provocative that you won't need to look around for discussion questions! The issues of justice, revenge, forgiveness, mercy, honor, etc are so poignantly palpable and every chapter is basically a cliffhanger so that one feels very compelled to discuss all the exciting things that are going on. It isn't the type of book where you have to dig for meaning. :iagree: The Count of Monte Cristo is a favorite at our house! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halftime Hope Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 COMC is my all time favorite book. Ds and I have a 12 hour road trip to acomplish, and I will be taking this with us in the audio version. We just finished the French Revolution and Napoleanic Wars about a month ago, so the timing is great. :) One other comment, while I enjoyed watching the Jim Cavaziel movie version (by myself, so as not to spoil the story for ds) it really diverges from the origianl story line. The ending is not the same at all! The old Richard Chamberlain version is much more true to the story, for anyone who wants to watch it after reading the book. hth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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