The Count of Monte Cristo By: Alexandre Dumas


On the 24 of February, 1815, a merchant vessel arrived in the harbor of Marseilles bearing a letter and a dead captain. The captain had instructed his first mate, Edmond Dantes, to deliver the letter to a man named Nortier de Villefort as a dying wish. Unfortunately, Edmond’s recent promotion to captain and engangement to a beautiful bride, Mercedes, has instilled a feeling of jealousy in the minds of his friends Fernand and Danglars. They write an anonymous note to the Chief Magistrate, Villefort, accusing Edmond of carrying a letter for an agent of the exiled Napoleon Bonaparte. Villefort discovers the letter is addressed to his own father and, despite Edmond’s innocence, sends him to the island prison, the Château d’If, where he will spend eternity. While in the dungeons of the lonely prison, Edmond meets and old dying priest who reveals a map of the legendary treasure of Spada in hopes of Edmond being able to escape and find the treasure. After the priest’s death, Edmond does escape and finds the treasure which he uses to create a new man, the Count of Monte Cristo. This man is different though: he is a man overcome with the desire to deliver justice to Fernand, Danglars, and Villefort--those who tore away his life so many years ago.