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‘We came home because we were failures … we crafted careful excuses and alibis, and wrapped them around ourselves like a cloak to keep out the cold truth.’
The story opens as three sisters: Rosalind, Bianca and Cordelia – named after characters from Shakespeare’s infamous writings – head back to their childhood home, for three different reasons and with three very different internal issues to work out.
The Count of Monte Cristo is a well-known, well-read, many times adapted story. It was released in France in 1844 via a newspaper serialization series by Alexandre Dumas, and has since been displayed on the stage and on the big screen many times – with it’s latest version being released in 2002. However, even Dumas’s version was not original – in reality, there was a true, living ‘Count’ although not exactly as portrayed by Dumas. Dumas took the essence of the story from a collection of old police case files, exaggerated it, enhanced it, and renamed it ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’.
I admit, this story is nothing if not exciting. But this is not a tale of love and happiness and light. This is a story of revenge and the evilness of man. Edmond Dantes (aka the Count) – throughout a large portion of the tale – exacts revenge on those who have wronged him. And in the large sense they had it coming.
‘There is a legend about a bird which sings just once in its life, more sweetly than any other creature on the face of the earth. From the moment it leaves the nest it searches for a thorn tree, and does not rest until it has found one. Then, singing among the savage branches, it impales itself upon the longest, sharpest spine. And, dying, it rises above its own agony to out-carol the lark and the nightingale. One superlative song, existence the price. But the whole world stills to listen, and God in His heaven smiles. For the best is only bought at the cost of great pain … Or so says the legend.’
You’re thinking, ‘Wow, this is a different type of book than Carolann usually discusses’ aren’t you? And you would be absolutely right. See, a couple of years ago my husband and I did a favorite book exchange. I made him read ‘Summer Sisters‘ by Judy Blume; he made me read ‘Rainbow Six‘ by Mr. Clancy. And I actually really liked it and have been hooked on character Jack Ryan ever since. I can honestly say I have read every book in the series, seen all the movies – and at this time, read officially more Clancy books than my husband.
I have a deep connection with books; always have had. It started with my love for ‘The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear‘ and has only grown with age. When I am happy I read silly, romance books. When I am lost I read books of hope and strong character. Reading was forced on me in my youth by my mother, who required my sisters and I read 1 hour every day. I learned how to read between the lines by teachers in high school and college who took the time to teach me how to truly feel a book and not just read for the base facts. But it isn’t until recently that I have started reading books for solace, instruction, comfort and for the sheer pleasure of the words. I still occasionally read a trashy romance novel – and love every minute – but I read more predominately to challenge my ideals and expand my thoughts. This novel did just that.
‘If I should ever offend you, I will send a red rose to ask forgiveness. And if ever I receive one tendered for that purpose, I will return a white rose to say that all is forgiven.’
This book starts at the end of the story and thus, the end of the disastrous love affair between Mary Tolliver and Percy Warwick. {I am not ruining anything, you learn that right as you open the book} Therefore, I knew as I was being taken through Mary’s and Percy’s flashbacks, that this part of the story was not going to end happy. Nonetheless, I found myself wishing and hoping that maybe this time, just maybe, Mary would make the ‘right’ decision.
I love the movie, love the style, love the actress, love love love everything about Breakfast at Tiffany’s – but still I had never read the original namesake novel. I knew the story of Holly Golightly, or at least I thought I did, but after reading this novel I realized there was so much more to the story.
‘… the mean reds are horrible. You’re afraid and you sweat like hell, but you don’t know what you’re afraid of. Except something bad is going to happen, only you don’t know what it is.’
Everyone knows a girl like Holly. A girl who walks into a room and lights it up with her mere presence. A girl who has no real reason or validation to be so confident and assured, yet is the strongest woman in any group. She is coarse, she is uneducated, she curses like a sailor, her profession is not one most women chose for themselves – yet she is insanely likeable and enviable. And this is due entirely to how Capote portrays his heroine.
