The Count of Monte Cristo / Alexandre Dumas ; revised translation, with an introduction and notes by David Coward.

First published as World's Classics paperback 1990. Reissued as an Oxford World's Classics paperback 1998.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [xxiii]).

The ultimate story of escape to riches, revenge and redemption by the Napoleon of storytellers. Falsley accused of treason, Edmond Dantes is arrested on his wedding night and imprisoned in the grim island fortress of Chateau dIf. After staging a dramatic escape he sets out to discover the fabuouls treasure on the island of Monte Cristo and uses it to exact revenge on those responsible for his incarcaration. The sensational narrative of intrigue, betrayal, escape and triumphant revenge moves at a cracking pace. Dumas novels present a powerful conflict between good and evil embodied in an epic saga of rich diversity that is complicated by the heros ultimate doscomfort with the hubristic implications of his own actions. A novel of enormous tension and excitement, The Count of Monte Cristo is also a tale of obsession and revenge, with Dantes, believing himself to be an Angel of Providence, pursuing his vengeance to the bitter end before realising that he himself is a victim of fate.

"Falsely accused of treason, the young sailor Edmond Dantes is arrested on his wedding day and imprisoned in the island fortress of the Chateau d'If. Having endured years of incarceration, he stages a daring and dramatic escape and sets out to discover the fabulous treasure of Monte Cristo, and to catch up with his enemies. A novel of enormous tension and excitement, The Count of Monte Cristo is also a tale of obsession and revenge. Believing himself to be an 'Angel of Providence', Dantes pursues his vengeance to the bitter end, only then realizing that he himself is a victim of fate. One of the great thrillers of all time, The Count of Monte Cristo has been adapted for film and television many times."--BOOK JACKET.