Book Club
By Sebastian Hollenback
It probably doesn't need to be stated that more often than not, the book is better than its movie adaptation. But obviously, I stated it anyways. In my experiences with book clubs outside of the confides in the Slytherin Common Room, the members find a time to watch a movie of one of the books read in the past however long they decide. In particular there was one movie that didn't live up to the exceptions of the book that the movie should've been banned before it even hit the big screen.
Before I officially being, something to keep in mind should you decide to pick up this book and read it for yourself is that the origins of it are French. This means that all of the characters mentioned, regardless of how small, play some role in the overall plot. It's also wise to remember that while the entirety of the book isn't based on a true story, the setting and major events actually did happen at one point or another. It's not required to have an active knowledge of French history, but it'll give some interesting facts for you to bring out during the next social event you might attend.
So if we're going to uphold my grandmother's old saying of "don't judge a book by its [movie]" then lets make this book a classic. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas.
The general summary of the book is that Edmond Dantes is a young sailor aboard the Pharaon, a merchant ship. With an open heart and innocent eyes his future is looking brighter and brighter with the more he does. Having just been appointed as the new captain of the Pharaon, having made plans to marry the lovely Mercedes, along with both his and his father's financial situations looking less grim Edmond doesn't have much to worry about in life. That is until three of his "friends" grow overly jealous of the events taking place within Edmond's life. They all come to a conclusion to write out a falsely incriminating letter that points Edmond as being an ally of Napoleon. This begins a set of events that spiral out of Edmond's, and his conspirators, control as he find himself thrown into the Chateau D'If.
Fortunately, the book wouldn't be that good of a read if Edmond is just thrown into prison without another word from him, but it would be giving away too much if I ventured into the realm of "How does Edmond get out of jail?"
I personally found great enjoyment in the book as it followed actual events that have transpired throughout history and even found a way to incorporate them.
One large example of this is the element of Napoleon Bonaparte. The beginning of the book takes place after his first exilement to Elba. After Napoleon's exile the people broke off into two groups, well actually three but the third was just a "neutral standing" more or less. There were the Bonapartists that still supported Napoleon and the Royalists that supported the king. For Edmond to be accused of being a Bonapartist meant that the Pharaon would lose business as the Royalists wouldn't' want anything to do with him.
This fact of history also has to do with the reasoning behind a man who helped ensure that Edmond be put into the Chateau D'If as part of a large political stance between him, his father, and his career.
The second point of history that it brings out is the Chateau D'If. An actual prison still standing to this day, except as a tourist location, the prison held a wide variety of "prisoners" within its walls.
Unfortunately, if you were not a member of high society you could be thrown into prison for something as small as a nobleman not liking you. In which case you would most likely be forgotten.
Edmond is an example of such a prisoner, one put in for a "political belief" and just left to be forgotten.
There's other aspects to the book, such as the lengths that Edmond goes to in order to exact his revenge of those that have wronged him.
The way a person can change when faced with such a troubling time, like 14 years in prison.
Or even the extent of what greed can do to a person.
Another book that could be compared in the general topic of humans, the trials they go through, and even how key events can change their lives ( for better or worse) is Les Misérables by Victor Hugo. (Also a French book with the same "every character is important" and "here's some real history events.")
If you do pick up this book, I do hope you enjoy it.
Best of reading.