Prison, Plot, and Payback: The Count of Monte Cristo

To mark Bastille Day—and to give everyone time to tackle a true classic—we're announcing our July 2026 pick early: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas.

This sweeping tale of betrayal, imprisonment, and ultimate revenge is packed with intrigue, romance, and moral complexity. Wrongfully imprisoned in a fortress not unlike the Bastille, Edmond Dantès escapes and reinvents himself as the mysterious Count, setting out to reclaim justice and perhaps lose himself along the way.

Whether you’re a first-time reader or returning for a summer re-read, this is a rich, cinematic novel perfect for long days and even longer discussions. Start reading anytime—we’ll be checking in throughout the year and gathering for a lively deep dive in July.

A few things to consider along the way:

• Did you enjoy the book? Were you surprised by your reaction to it in any way?
• Which characters resonated with you most—and which ones drove you crazy?
• Who was your favorite character to spend time with on the page? Least favorite?
• Which character would you happily share a long dinner with, and which would you personally toss into the Château d’If for a while?
• At what point does revenge stop feeling satisfying and start feeling destructive?
• Is Edmond Dantès ultimately transformed by suffering—or consumed by it?
• Which disguises or reinventions in the novel feel empowering, and which feel isolating?
• Who in the story earns forgiveness, if anyone?
• Why do you think this novel remains so readable and beloved nearly two centuries later?

And for a lighter touch:

• Which adaptation (if you’ve seen one) best captures the spirit of the book?
• If you had access to the Count’s fortune and resources, would you use them for revenge, justice, reinvention… or something much less dramatic?

Liberté, égalité, vengeance!