The Count of Monte Cristo

The Count of Monte Cristo is an adventure novel by the French writer Alexandre Dumas, serialised from 1844 to 1846 and then published in book form in 1846, one of his most popular works alongside The Three Musketeers and The Man in the Iron Mask. Set in France, Italy and islands in the Mediterranean during the historical events of 1815 to 1839, from Napoleon's departure from exile on Elba through the reign of Louis Philippe I, the novel follows Edmond Dantes, a young sailor falsely accused of treason and imprisoned in the Chateau d'If, who escapes after learning of a hidden treasure from a fellow prisoner and transforms himself into the wealthy, enigmatic Count of Monte Cristo. It is regarded as a classic of French and world literature exploring themes of hope, justice, vengeance, mercy and forgiveness.