Unpopular opinion: The Count of Monte Cristo is not a must read

By TinyChapter

This book really isn’t all that great. There’s clearly some good story under all the extra-heavy text, but you have to work way too hard to get to it. The prison stuff and the escape were awesome, but after that it just sort of falls flat. I think I’m probably done with it at this point (I’m on page 392 of 875). The writing feels old-fashioned and kind of a slog to get through. And just to show what I mean by overdone, here’s a bit from a scene where two characters are arranging a future meeting: 'Have you decided yet when you’ll be there yourself?' 'Yes, I have; in about two or three weeks, as soon as I can manage it!' 'No,' said the count; "I’ll give you three months before I join you; that should cover any delays or problems.' 'So in three months,' said Albert, 'you’ll be at my house?' 'Should we set a fixed day and time?' asked the count; 'just so you know, I’m known for being very exact about keeping appointments.' 'Day and hour exactly,' said Albert; 'that works for me.' - 'Very well,' replied the count, and pointing toward a calendar near the mantel, he said, 'today is February 21st;' and taking out his watch, added, 'it is exactly half past ten. Now promise to remember this, and expect me on May 21st at half past ten in the morning.' 'Perfect,' shouted Albert; 'breakfast will be ready.' 'Where do you live?' - 'No. 27, Rue de Helder.' 'You have bachelor rooms there? I hope my visit won’t be any trouble.' - 'I live in my father’s house; but I have a pavilion at the far end of the courtyard, completely separate from the main building.' 'That’s fine,' said the count, writing down 'No. 27 Rue de Helder, May 21st, half past ten in the morning' in his notebook. Do we really need the exact address and time like that? And does the count really need to repeat the whole thing so precisely? I don’t get why this book gets brought up in every “essential books” thread on here.