Holy shit! This book is insane. I’m half way through it, and I can’t even express how I feel about this book. Masterpiece? Doesn’t give it justice. I’ve never done this in my life over a book (and I’ve read well over 500 books for the last 30 years), I got emotional during some parts of this book. I have ADHD and it’s very hard for me to focus when reading, unless it’s an extremely good book like this I guess. This probably sounds silly to some. The reason why I’m only just finding out about this book is because I’m new to the West. An immigrant if you will, and never heard of this book until a couple of weeks ago. If you haven’t read this book; I highly recommend it. Alexandre Dumas is a genius.

  • yesman@lemmy.world
    62·
    8 months ago

    This is one of those books that seems cliche until you realize that it’s the origin of the tropes.

  • peto (he/him)@lemm.eeEnglish
    291·
    8 months ago

    I do enjoy seeing the ‘oh, this is why’ feeling in people. I got much the same reading Dracula, and I recommend it if you have yet to have the pleasure. You might think you know it, but trust me, give it a go.

    • Kongar@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
      8·
      8 months ago

      Ah that one has been on my list for a while. I need a new book - maybe I’ll finally see what the fuss is about Dracula.

      Btw same thing for Frankenstein imo. Ya we all know the story, but man the book delivered so much more than what I thought I was in for.

    • joshthewaster@lemmy.world
      7·
      8 months ago

      It’s been a long time since I read Dracula but I remember really struggling with the start. Nearly quit a few times and it was slow going. At some point it flipped and I think I pretty much finished the book in one sitting. Anyway, it is great and was worth the rough start I had with it.

      • Anticorp@lemmy.worldEnglish
        3·
        8 months ago

        That’s how Fellowship of the Rings was for me. It took 4 or 5 times starting it before it finally clicked and then I absolutely loved it.

  • jqubed@lemmy.world
    24·
    8 months ago

    For anyone looking to read in English I highly recommend the Robin Buss translation. It has endnotes throughout the book explaining various references that would not be obvious to modern readers, such as references to real people that don’t get named to avoid libel issues but would’ve obvious to readers in the 19th century, or how certain artists reveal that someone has good taste or bad taste.

    Don’t be intimidated by the size; it quickly becomes a page-turner. It was originally published serialized in newspapers, like a modern TV show, one chapter each day. Most chapters end on a cliffhanger so people would buy the next day’s paper, making the book hard to put down.

  • magnetosphere@fedia.io
    171·
    8 months ago

    To anyone who hasn’t read it yet: don’t let yourself be intimidated by the fact that it’s a huge book. It is equally rewarding!

    Another poster suggested keeping track of the names. That’s not a bad idea.

    • Zanudous@lemmy.world
      41·
      8 months ago

      It reads fairly easily though. I think i read it in around a week during summer vacation in HS (I pretty much spent all day reading)

    • Wolf314159@startrek.website
      2·
      8 months ago

      My favorite thing about reading with an ebook reader has been the ability to quickly highlight and take notes as I read. New character? Highlight the first appearance of the name and when they re-appear later you can flip back to refresh your memory. Or search through the entire book for their name. I’ve also taken to making a note in my Agatha Christie reads when I first have a good guess about the murderer.

  • Varyk@sh.itjust.works
    14·
    8 months ago

    cannot agree more, i love this book and am so glad to see a post about it.

    talk about an epic tale

      • Varyk@sh.itjust.works
        7·
        8 months ago

        Great point, the different disciplines coming together to create such a cohesive and complicated story is so satisfying.

        It’s actually been a few years since I read it, I would not turn down a reread at all.

        I remember being riveted and pretty much doing nothing else while I read that book.

  • WormFood@lemmy.world
    10·
    8 months ago

    I love this book! it’s long but dense, it’s trashy but it’s also high art, it’s tragic but it’s also inspirational. I’m glad Dumas was paid by the word, because it means he wrote as much. You should check out the musketeers books if you haven’t already, I think Count is a stronger book but they’re all written in the same engrossing style.

  • some_guy@lemmy.sdf.org
    10·
    8 months ago

    I got halfway through your post and ordered the book. Here’s hoping it lives up to its reputation. I think it will.

  • Kongar@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    81·
    8 months ago

    I read that last year and it was fantastic. Top 5 for sure, I think my all time #2. It was like game of thrones, where you’ve got all these people showing up, and this spiderweb of seemingly unrelated stories gets told. But unlike game of thrones, it actually threads back together from chaos into a satisfying, well wrapped up conclusion. It is a masterpiece.

    Honestly, half way through? That would be considered “the boring part”. It only gets better from there. You’re in for a wild ride. Enjoy!

      • Kongar@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
        2·
        8 months ago

        Ya, like you probably met Albert at this point? You’re like “who the hell are these people - I think another book got printed into this one by mistake!” “This isn’t even the same story!” :) Same thing with other families and bandit gangs etc. And then you slowly realize it was all planned out and all has a purpose.

        Isn’t there a saying or writing thing about only introducing things that have a purpose? Like if you introduce a gun into the story, then it has to be used. Anyways, there are no “guns” introduced without a purpose.

        Do yourself a favor and make sure you keep track of all the people and their names. I’d go so far as to make a list on the side as you meet people (and try to write down all the people you’ve already met). That’s maybe the only flaw of the book in my opinion - it requires the reader to pay attention to get the full effect. Sometimes very important details or a plot twist are revealed in a single sentence - usually centered around who is who.

        Man, maybe I’ll read it again! So good!

  • Infynis@midwest.socialEnglish
    81·
    8 months ago

    It’s been on my list for a while, I’ll get to it one day. I’m also planning to watch Gankutsuou afterward, which is an anime retelling set in the far future, and is supposed to be good

  • rhadamanth_nemes@lemmy.world
    6·
    8 months ago

    Yeah it’s probably my “pick just one” best book. It’s a wild ride! I’m interested in what you think when you finish!

    Three Musketeers is different but I also really liked it. It’s very amusing/funny.

  • dream_weasel@sh.itjust.works
    5·
    8 months ago

    I was going to read it in French. I wonder if I’m missing out by doing that (it’s a great movie, and I’m only semi fluent in French).