18 Comments
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Mountains And Valleys's avatar

Love this and am always amazed how the back story is lost so often. My daughter is reading the count of monte cristo and this post will be a wonderful addition.

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Sean Berube's avatar

It’s mind blowing that his story doesn’t get more attention. Would’ve thought we’d have a biopic by now at least!

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Logan Stanfield's avatar

Thanks for the write-up! What a badass he was, and done so dirty, I think it's so wild his family had a general and two famous authors in it.

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Nelli Aguilera's avatar

Really happy to have run across this post! Thanks!

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Sean Berube's avatar

Thanks for reading Nelli! Glad you enjoyed it 🙏

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Judith Taylor's avatar

Really happy to know this background to the wonderful novel!

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Charlotte Balladine's avatar

How brilliant, thank you for this post it was wonderful. I always loved the novel, and I just recently watched the 2025 French adaptation of the novel. Here I was thinking it was all fiction 😅

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Sean Berube's avatar

Thanks Charlotte! Blew my mind when I first heard of his father's story. Just saw the 2025 adaptation this year too - I think its the best of films so far (though nothing compares to the book imo haha)

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From the Shelves's avatar

A biopic on this man would be so interesting. It seems the script would write itself!

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Sean Berube's avatar

I agree! I’m genuinely shocked it hasn’t come to light yet

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Maria Svigos's avatar

Wonderful piece, and great history. Makes me want to pick the book up tonight!

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Paul's avatar

A beautiful book. I am constantly envious of those who have not read this yet. To be stolen away to an impoverished farm in France described with such brilliance and then to the heights of revenge for wrongdoings. Just a treasure .

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BOCN's avatar

Fascinating stuff. I'd heard about this but didn't know the details. The book is still on my TBR. Thanks.

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Pages By The Sea's avatar

Excellent information, thank you.

I’m halfway through The Count of Monte Cristi right now. It’s been a while since the last read and I’m enjoying it even more this time around.

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DecimusAugustus's avatar

Fantastic post. I think you’ve cemented count of Monte Cristo as my next read

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The Brothers Krynn's avatar

Great story too bad it's not true. The story was first drafted by Auguste Maquet who did not take inspiration from Thomas. Alex agreed to publish the book for Maquet and from there they co-wrote it with Alex also doing the editing.

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Alexander Nicolau's avatar

Historical fiction's as such are my favorite to read. This was awesome to read and I think I found my next book! Thanks for sharing

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Just Joce's avatar

What a great backgrounder. You write so well and bless us with these articles- thank you.

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