Fun fact: the reason the book feels like a tv show with cliffhangers is that it was published in a serialized format in a newspaper, over a few years. I can picture people discussing the latest chapter as we discuss the latest tv episode of our fave tv shows.

This is my favorite kind of influencing, convincing all of us to read a 1,200 page classic book.

I can wholeheartedly say that you convinced me to read this book.

Monte Cristo is probably the classic I recommend the most. After reading it I was shocked at how afraid of it I was just because it's a chunky classic. In the end I read it in a month because it was all I was thinking about and I just couldn't stop reading it. During the day I'd be glued to my physical chunky hardcover and at night I would be reading on my kindle under the covers. Seriously this story is so fun and funny and surprisingly easy to read!!

The way Dumas keeps the reader going with high and mighty dialogue fit for heroic people but still making it simple to understand is what astonished me. The use of metaphors and the grandeur with which the characters talk is amazing.

Classics and modern classics are my favorite books to read. I really appreciate how you read classics because it shows so clearly how we aren't "too far removed" to enjoy works that were written hundreds of years ago. You and I approach reading them in completely different ways, and that's the beautiful thing about reading, and what makes watching your content so interesting. I'm glad you enjoyed the Count of Monte Christo!

i think part of the reason why it is so readable is because of the translation. some translators tend to modernize the words. this happened when i was reading crime and punishment in david mcduff's translation. it read to me like a modern classic with the way the sentences were structured.

war and peace haunting you in every video is so funny :HAHA: since you're overcoming big book fear, read anna karenina next :bokuto:

you literally made me want to read that book 😭

Just popping back in in here to say thank you so much! I just finished reading Monte Cristo after seeing this video a few days ago, and I love it so much! I'm obsessed with it. I already want to read it again. So thanks for bringing me to one of my new favourite books!!!🎉

You’ve got me, I’m now going to read a 1000+ page classic thank you 😭

My all time favourite book! The amount of times it had me gasping "[character], you son of a bitch!" when there's unexpected twists and turns... So glad to see you really enjoyed it too!

I just finished reading it, and I wanted to share my thoughts: I loved it and I 100% agree with your review. I could stay late at night, and I didn't want to go to sleep because of this book! I almost canceled Netflix because this book is way more interesting than anything out there. What a wonderful book!

When I was 11 or 12, I was made to stay at home a lot. Count of monte cristo was one of the books we had on the shelf, so I read it. In bits and pieces, not understanding some of it. But it made such a strong impact to me, the waves smashing against prison walls, secrets and sins buried beneath rustling trees, and forgiveness at the end of the mortal journey.

I think the reason why you found the book's language relatively modern is because it's a translation. The book was written hundreds of years ago, but the translation is probably pretty modern. Honestly this is why I find translations of most books much more manageable and easier to get into as they read as if they were written recently.

this is literally my new favorite book. So much to relate to, so easy to read despite its length, also well rounded characters that you even feel bad for at the end.

Your anotations are hysterical

I found this video a month ago today and i instently started reading the book because of you.. and today, a month later (im a slow reader), i can say that i've now finished The count of Monte Christo! Truely a masterpiece and now my favorit classic i've ever read ❤ thank you for sending me on a journey i didn't know i needed!

I have read the book twice before and I’m now listening to it on audio book while I knit. I love this book

Hiiii Isabella. I am not gonna lie, I had been waiting for you to make a video dedicated to this novel specifically and I am glad you did. This novel has been sitting on my bookshelf for about a month now and I was scared by the sheer size of it, but not anymore. You literally made me pick up and start reading the book right away. Thank You. 💜 Much love from INDIA. 🇮🇳

I love the video! Thank you for such a detailed and hype explanation of the book! Ordering my own copy of the count of monte cristo right now 🏃‍♀️

listen listen somehow you not only manage to make me 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 to read these big classics, you make me feel like I can. And for that we are eternally grateful 😌💕

The most fun thing was watching Danglars lose money. Not so much when exact sums are mentioned, but when it is said that he was not in a good mood after making his payments, that "Cavalcanti" was warned about Danglars' considerable losses, or when he ordered the columns of his liabilities.

If you liked The Count of Monte Cristo, you should read The Three Musketeers, by the same author. It is my favourite book, and the characters are amazing.

It is a life goal for me to finish this book and thank you for influencing me to start it again.

This book is such a ridicolously easy read compared to what your first impression tells you. Read the entire unabridged version in less than 12 days and it is still (after over two years) my favorite book of all time.

I was already planning on reading this over the summer and now I'm even more excited to start!

"I still can't get over the fact that I finished wa---" lmaoo your videos brighten my mood 🥰

The daily page goal tabs is a brilliant idea!! A great way to stay on track and build confidence. I’m going to try that with my next big read 😊 and so glad you loved Monte Cristo! This is definitely on my list for this year!

It’s been my favorite book for decades. It’s life changing

I read this book 2 years ago and its my favorite book of all time now

Since you are already in big books of Alexandre Dumas - his masterpiece: The Three Musketeers + Twenty Years After + The Vicomte of Bragelonne = + 2,000 pages

My favorite book. I read or listen to it yearly.

I read once few years ago. Was not into it really. I read it again now, more focus…what a perfect book. Not a single words too much. So amazingly good.

Ok I just finished reading this book in 15days thanks to your recommendation !!! Def FIVE STARS

Point to be made, the version of the book you have is from Penguin, translated by Robin Buss. Get that version if you want a very easily read version of it. It's so lyrical and beautifully translated that it'll blow your mind. I personally like that version the best too

i´m going to start the book today (again), because i love so much this story, is one of my favorites

I’m watching this video and know damn well that it will make me wanna read it again 😩 i read it twice since last april for gods sake 😭 it was a whole new level of iconic PS: if anyone here can read in arabic, i recommend you read this specific book in the arabic translation it was way more vivid and touching than it was in french ( for me )

I envy anyone who has not read this book! It is one story that you will never ever forget. Amazing!

i admire your will to get through such long texts 😔✊ i feel thoroughly convinced and inspired to start reading some classics after watching you.

Les mis is sooooo good! it's like one plot line but with branches that go off from it here and there and discuss so many interesting things! I loved these characters so much

Just finished this novel for the first time, and it is now arguably my favorite novel ever written. An indisputable masterpiece of the highest caliber. Highly recommended to every single person. Do not let the length scare you, as you will actually wish it had another 1,200 pages to continue the story by the time you finish. This book became like a dear friend to me, and I began to savor every chapter - its characters became as real as the people in my life. Every detail is put to great use, and not one detail is out of place. The middle section of the book may seem slow at times, but know that every detail is there for a specific reason that will be made evident in the finale - the final 400 pages roar to life like an unstoppable locomotive barrelling down the tracks with increasing speed. This novel has everything you could possibly imagine, and more - crime, murder, theft, death, life, love, soaring ecstasy, immovable sorrow, endless adventure, mystery, and hope. It is the human experience of the roller coaster of life summed up in 1,243 pages. Read the full unabridged Penguin edition translated by Robin Buss (the same one in this video). You won't regret it.

war & peace is side eyeing me every time i pick up another book 🫣

This summer I’m planning on reading a bunch of classics and I’ll definitely be adding this to the TBR!! I already have other books that are long as hell on that list so why not add another :))

I read this last year because my mom wanted me to. So I picked it up and couldn’t put it down. It was AMAZING. It’s my favorite book of all time now. ❤

I can't believe I am actually inspired to read The Count of Monte Cristo lol thank you for this video!!

A stunning vlog for a stunning book! We stan Dantes our murderous lil vampire 🥰 You're honestly so iconic for picking up all the references to the Taylor Swift songs I wish I was you! And you're so right about how accessible the writing is. I wish every classic was like this lol. I think Les Mis and Don Quixote will be my next thiccc bois to tackle.

I’ve had this on my shelf forever and am finally about to read it. I have read multiple chunky books before, so I’m not intimidated to start reading this, quite the opposite, I am very excited! I specifically came to watch this video while I tab out every so many pages bc I love listening to these. Such a vibe. ❤ gets me so hyped thank you for being a delight 🙏🏻

I'm sure you've been told this by now, but if you haven't seen it yet, you simply _must_ watch the Count of Monte Cristo anime, Gankutsuou (since you seem to be an anime and manga fan too). It pretty much started my Monte Cristo obsession, made me fall in love with the musical soundtrack, and is pretty much my biggest motivation for reading the book someday 🤣😭 the anime is very different in a lot of ways, mostly with it not being from the Count's perspective and having some futuristic elements, but at the same time despite that a lot of people say that it's most faithful adaptation of the book that exists right now. Regardless though, it's also just a masterpiece anime on its own, so I highly recommend it. This video showed up on my feed because of it looool, and I'm glad I watched because you're making me want to read the book even more than I already did, and less intimidated!! I'm so glad to hear it's an easy read despite the length, and that you had fun doing so 🥰

"the way that these characters slowly descent into madness" ... I'm sold! I love the way you annotated this book! I usually go into books just underlining and noting everything and go back to tab the whole thing after. I love seeing all the tabbing systems readers create, but i'm glad you enjoyed going with the flow on this brick.

currently reading this now! I started today and already addicted. I legit cannot put the book down. I went to a coffee shop today and read for 4 hours STRAIGHT. It's like i was on a high, i kept telling myself to put the book down but i seriously COULD NOT. OMG!!! Already an absolute favorite! been hooked since the first page! (: I'm glad you enjoyed this gem. Literature definitely can be intimidating to read but I'm glad we pushed through sis! ❣

This format of vlog is fun ❤😂 it lets you talk about a book you loved, and if you love talking about your favs as much as me 😂 it’s so cool !!

“There is neither happiness nor misfortune in this world, there is merely the comparison between one strate and another, nothing more. Only someone who has suffered the deepest misfortune is capable of experiencing the heights of felicity. You must needs have wished to die, to know how good it is to live.” I was touched by these words in the ending of this book.

I just picked up my copy a couple days ago and I’m CRAZY excited to read it now!! Love all your annotations!

YESS!!! My most favorite book / story OF ALL TIME!!!!! So glad you did this video and the annotations!

I’ve read this wonderful story four times and expect to read it again.

This is my favorite book and I am subscribing SO fast. Thanks for making this video. It's so fun to share the joy and the love of a book via booktube. I am planning to re-read it this winter.

Great video! There is also a Japanese anime television series and manga based on the book called “Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo” which I highly recommend!

My grandfather told me this book when I was like 8 years old (simplefied story obv) i fell in love with the story and these days i've decided to pick it up and start to read this massive book, wish me luck ✌

6:12 you say that because you read the results of an overlay from diverses translation. As a French reader, the original novel is not as easy as you think, but much more subtle.

Gone with the wind!! Another big classic

This book was amazing. I read it in basically one sitting... fell asleep with it open on top of me and continued first thing when I woke up.

the editing and production level of this video?? absolutely impeccable

I love this book so much one of my all time favourites

I have read so many online discussions about this book, perhaps this book has no hater, like every one said that it’s the least boring classic ever written ❤❤❤

The only part I felt the book drag a tiny bit was with Franz in Rome. Otherwise the pacing was spectacular.

The female respect part got me❤

I listened to the audiobook, partly because I don't have Amazon prime and finding a physical copy in my city has been impossible. I adored the audiobook, but I still need a hard copy for notes and revisiting. It is so good. The names and aliases were the hardest part, in my opinion

You inspired me to read this book, and I'm SO glad you did!! I fucking loved it! The writing was so beautiful with so many metal af monologues and one liners, it was like an incredibly well written soap opera at times and i was LIVING for it. Stan Eugenie and Albert fr they were great characters. Also Villefort was really coming with that Light Yagami energy and that kinda made me love him. What an amazing book.

Hands down my favourite book of all time!

Thank you for being my comfort youtuber🥺 youre literally the only booktuber I watch, your videos are so comforting. I struggle with anxiety and your videos calm me down everytime, your energy is just so sincere, real and kind ❤ thanks to you i finally read a book after MONTHS of no reading lol

I'm into my 4th read currently. The book is huge, but It's helpfully to not address this fact..it is a great book, and it is best to give it your time, be patient.. before you know it, it becomes a beloved friend and you will actually look forward to your time reading it every day.. ok for now, happy reading.. Al

congratulations bella you've singlehandedly convinced me to read a book i never thought i'd read 🫡 manifesting a vlog like this for anna karenina!!

If you're going to watch a movie version, the french one is way more detailed on the revenge than the english one, which just glances over it.

My Grandma first gave me a comic book version of The Count of Monte Cristo. A little later I read the real book-also from Grandma. Then I took my other grandmother's Alexandre Dumas set and read much more.

I'm reading this book with the Game of Tomes friends this year (January-February) and I DNF-ed it yesterday but I had an epiphany in my sleep then woke up and looked for the video that inspired me to join in the buddy read this year and Isa did it again!!!!! I am motivated to try again today.

I LOVE the Count of Monte Cristo. I’m so glad that you read it and love it!

I've watched Gankutsou Count of Monte Cristo when I was a teen maybe 14, great Anime, and this january got the book as a present, really shows Dantes suffering, even further detailed, now reached the part where he meets Franz, looking forward to reading more :)

I read the book in 3 days. I think the only times I stopped reading it was when I was too tired to process the words lol. Genuinely the the greatest book I've ever read

me intimida muchísimo pero verte hablar de él me da ganas de leerlo :3 no sé si lo leeré en inglés o en español pero pendiente queda 🤫

I agree about scary classic books being more accessible than people think they are. It's interesting that you just finished a Dumas book cos I'm reading The Three Musketeers by Dumas right now and I'm finding that with this book too. I'm nearly 150 pages into it and even though The Three Musketeers is way smaller than Monte Cristo I had built up in my head that The Three Musketeers was way harder to read than it actually is. I'm really enjoying it and so glad that I started it. Love that your reading more classics and can't wait to see which other ones you pick :)

So proud of you gurllll!!🤩🤩 "Shivering in my Gucci boots" killed me😂😂😂 Btw, how about adding Anna Karenina to your "humongous books I've read" list? That would be hella fun😁

This is an amazing book. I read it so quickly. I couldn't put it down. Well worth reading it.

i love the music at the beginning

Incredible! Half way through and the best book I ever read!

my fav part of booktube is watching yall read. so like, those "read with me" are my literal favs. SO PLEASE, RELEASE THOSE VIDS OF YOU READING THIS. Because I'd like to play it in the bg while I'm reading The Count Of Monte Cristo! 🤣🤣 I've been reading this since 2021 and still have not finished it.

It was written in French originally so the translation is possible to be more straightforward/simple.

I read it as a teenager. Best book I have ever read. Classics are classics for a reason

i REALLY want to read this book. i tried it once, but i had so much to do that i gave up on page 90. i knew the plot because my mom made me stop everything i was doing to watch the movie (it's awesome. worth it). i'm so inspired by you, bella!! i will definitely try again

Oh My God, this video was everything! I absolutely want to read this book soon! Thank you so much for this video! 😍💚

You've convinced me. I'll read it.

I'm pretty sure the writing style is what is is because its a translated work. Unlike some other books that were originally written in English, the count of monte cristo was tranalsted from french which makes it easier to read. also Im so happy you decided to read tcomc! I love that book so much.

ahhh I love this book! glad to see you reading it!!

I've been struggling my way through the audiobook of this one for a whole month, but your enthusiasm and love for it makes me want to give it another go in a different format. I'll definitely go and get the physical book for it if I can find it!

I love this book. I have been re reading the book every year since i first read it back in 5th grade. The book has been my moral compass, has been there for me in my darkest time.

You came at the right time!! I'm having my study break with you agaiiiiin ms. bella 💓 Your videos are always sooo destressing. Loveee yaah❤️

I absolutely adore annotating without a key. I really want to do that. Just grab random colours and random tabs and write whatever I want on the book. Loved the vlog! Especially that evil queen laugh in the beginning 😂❤️

i read the abridged version of this book in high school, and i fell in love with it! bought myself and my grandmother matching copies of the same abridged version, and she loved it too. now i'm VERY tempted to pick up the full original.

I bought a hardcover of the book about 6 months ago. Its a big book and I've been procrastinating reading it. I think this video has given me the kick i need, thank you!

i wasnt raised in the us so i had no idea it was a classic. i started reading it and it was sooo good but i never got to finish it. i will def pick it up one of these days, thank you !