Just want to say I finished Tree Grows in Brooklyn awhile ago and already have Count, about 100 pages in. This is the modern library edition published in 1996 by Random House. Anyone know about this version? It’s a doorstop so don’t think it is unabridged!! I loved A Tree Grows. At 50, I read it for the first time and agree it is not to be missed. Thanks
Yes, Erica, I agree with you about A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. I have heard about the book but never read it before. Now I wonder why it took me so long to read it. What a joyful experience.
All I know about that edition is that it's based on the classic anonymous translation that first appeared in the US in the 1840s. Since it's unabridged, you're good to go, you might just be missing a few minor points from the Buss edition. I wouldn't change it out unless you really want to. :)
Hi Jeremy, really enjoyed A Tree Grows In Brooklyn. I read it by myself a few years ago but got so much more out of it reading together with this group! A clarification question: June 11 will be the first recap over chapters 1-7?
Just in case there's anyone else like me, I thought I'd mention that I don't actually find Count to be enthralling from start to finish and I always struggle with the first hundred pages or so. But it is definitely worth persevering because after that it takes off and doesn't stop. I think it's probably my favourite book. I started it again a couple of months ago but stalled as usual so this is fantastic timing for me to pick it up this weekend and just get through the 'boring'-to-me bit.
I have never read this one but I'm tempted to join. I have a monthly book club myself and some light reading on the side (if you think of Russian literature as light reading) but I will definitely follow your updates and discussions!
I am looking forward to reading the Count. In your email this morning introducing us to the Count you mentioned the characters: "The characters found in The Count of Monte Cristo are among the most memorable you’ll ever encounter." One of my problems when reading War and Peace was early on trying to determine who each character was, especially in relation to the other characters, though the edition I read had a list of characters in the notes section.
I bought my copy of the Count a little while ago. There is no translator listed on my copy; just "Introduction by Lorenzo Carcaterra. (might be the translator also?) Yet, there is no list of characters in my copy. There is also no section on notes, which I believe the Buss translation has.
Any chance you might recommend a site that has the list? I won't want to go on Wikipedia to find one as often that list has spoilers in it.
Thanks.......and I'll see everyone in the discussions.
Yeah it is tricky! There are a few families to keep track of, but even looking on Wikipedia can give things away. I'll see if I can come up with something here in the next couple weeks as we get going. :) Glad to have you, Ralph!
I agree, and I am looking forward to starting this read with the group. Ralph, I also found the list of characters helpful for W&P and was hoping to find something similar for The Count (I have the penguin Classics Buss translation, and do not see a list of characters contained).
I’m not very familiar with the text other than Jeremy/my wife’s recommendation to read it. I’ll keep following as I found making a 2 sided bookmark out of the reading schedule and list of characters to be a helpful tip.
Hello Chris-- I have gone online for "large" books in the past to find a list a characters for the book. Only to find out that some of the character descriptions had spoilers imbedded in the description. Imagine reading and enjoying a long book with a number of characters only to read the description of one character as the eventual killer of one of the main characters.
Maybe some one can recommend a list of characters.
I just finished The Count (and just found your Substack!)
I will put a plug in for the older English language translation. I actually read from both as I had two copies in two locations (I know, random).
The Buss translation is very tight and much more modern, but the older translation is far more charming for two reasons:
1. Not every word is translated, so the Chief Prosecutor is the "Prosecuteur du Roi" which connects you with the aristocratic basis and minimizes comparison with modern prosecutors. Other French terms are left there and give it texture.
2. The Victorian phrasings and vocabulary can seem archaic, but so is the story, and they feel more appropriate to the era of the tale. It is a bit like the Master and Commander series where you have to adjust to the idiom, but that adjustment puts you in a place and time that is different and foreign.
Both are great, but I wouldn't overemphasize Buss.
hi! i have the book in french ( i have learnt the language and can speak it very well- time to try and read smth to get the hang of it more naturally and i chose one of my fav books! ) so this was the perfect opportunity!! i think i will be reading the french and then the english translation on the side to compare and stuff, im rly looking forward to the background info etc you'll be providing! and seeing other comments, it would be fun discussing it with others here!!<33
Just subscribed today and began reading " The Count...". In my 8th decade and reading Dumas is such a welcoming experience. But for your post I would have missed this opportunity to experience this book. I look forward to your insight and the ongoing discussion. Two years ago I finally read W&P ong with another online group which was insightful also. This is a good way to immerse oneself in great literature.ookinc forward to taking on " Middlemarch " when it comes up!
I started reading this several years ago, but never finished. I’m hoping that by reading with a group (and an excellent leader) that I won’t stall out this time.
Just want to say I finished Tree Grows in Brooklyn awhile ago and already have Count, about 100 pages in. This is the modern library edition published in 1996 by Random House. Anyone know about this version? It’s a doorstop so don’t think it is unabridged!! I loved A Tree Grows. At 50, I read it for the first time and agree it is not to be missed. Thanks
Yes, Erica, I agree with you about A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. I have heard about the book but never read it before. Now I wonder why it took me so long to read it. What a joyful experience.
All I know about that edition is that it's based on the classic anonymous translation that first appeared in the US in the 1840s. Since it's unabridged, you're good to go, you might just be missing a few minor points from the Buss edition. I wouldn't change it out unless you really want to. :)
Hi Jeremy, really enjoyed A Tree Grows In Brooklyn. I read it by myself a few years ago but got so much more out of it reading together with this group! A clarification question: June 11 will be the first recap over chapters 1-7?
Great question! The recap for week 1 will actually come on the 18th — so *after* the reading we've done. That make sense?
Yes it does. I read the schedule wrong, my mistake, thanks for the clarification.
Just in case there's anyone else like me, I thought I'd mention that I don't actually find Count to be enthralling from start to finish and I always struggle with the first hundred pages or so. But it is definitely worth persevering because after that it takes off and doesn't stop. I think it's probably my favourite book. I started it again a couple of months ago but stalled as usual so this is fantastic timing for me to pick it up this weekend and just get through the 'boring'-to-me bit.
Thanks for the encouragement. :)
I have never read this one but I'm tempted to join. I have a monthly book club myself and some light reading on the side (if you think of Russian literature as light reading) but I will definitely follow your updates and discussions!
Cool! I just subscribed to yours. :) Looking forward to reading.
Oh wow! That’s brilliant, thank you.
I am looking forward to reading the Count. In your email this morning introducing us to the Count you mentioned the characters: "The characters found in The Count of Monte Cristo are among the most memorable you’ll ever encounter." One of my problems when reading War and Peace was early on trying to determine who each character was, especially in relation to the other characters, though the edition I read had a list of characters in the notes section.
I bought my copy of the Count a little while ago. There is no translator listed on my copy; just "Introduction by Lorenzo Carcaterra. (might be the translator also?) Yet, there is no list of characters in my copy. There is also no section on notes, which I believe the Buss translation has.
Any chance you might recommend a site that has the list? I won't want to go on Wikipedia to find one as often that list has spoilers in it.
Thanks.......and I'll see everyone in the discussions.
Yeah it is tricky! There are a few families to keep track of, but even looking on Wikipedia can give things away. I'll see if I can come up with something here in the next couple weeks as we get going. :) Glad to have you, Ralph!
I agree, and I am looking forward to starting this read with the group. Ralph, I also found the list of characters helpful for W&P and was hoping to find something similar for The Count (I have the penguin Classics Buss translation, and do not see a list of characters contained).
I’m not very familiar with the text other than Jeremy/my wife’s recommendation to read it. I’ll keep following as I found making a 2 sided bookmark out of the reading schedule and list of characters to be a helpful tip.
Hello Chris-- I have gone online for "large" books in the past to find a list a characters for the book. Only to find out that some of the character descriptions had spoilers imbedded in the description. Imagine reading and enjoying a long book with a number of characters only to read the description of one character as the eventual killer of one of the main characters.
Maybe some one can recommend a list of characters.
I just finished The Count (and just found your Substack!)
I will put a plug in for the older English language translation. I actually read from both as I had two copies in two locations (I know, random).
The Buss translation is very tight and much more modern, but the older translation is far more charming for two reasons:
1. Not every word is translated, so the Chief Prosecutor is the "Prosecuteur du Roi" which connects you with the aristocratic basis and minimizes comparison with modern prosecutors. Other French terms are left there and give it texture.
2. The Victorian phrasings and vocabulary can seem archaic, but so is the story, and they feel more appropriate to the era of the tale. It is a bit like the Master and Commander series where you have to adjust to the idiom, but that adjustment puts you in a place and time that is different and foreign.
Both are great, but I wouldn't overemphasize Buss.
Good to know — thanks Matt!
hi! i have the book in french ( i have learnt the language and can speak it very well- time to try and read smth to get the hang of it more naturally and i chose one of my fav books! ) so this was the perfect opportunity!! i think i will be reading the french and then the english translation on the side to compare and stuff, im rly looking forward to the background info etc you'll be providing! and seeing other comments, it would be fun discussing it with others here!!<33
Oh wonderful! That'll be a really fun comparison.
Just subscribed today and began reading " The Count...". In my 8th decade and reading Dumas is such a welcoming experience. But for your post I would have missed this opportunity to experience this book. I look forward to your insight and the ongoing discussion. Two years ago I finally read W&P ong with another online group which was insightful also. This is a good way to immerse oneself in great literature.ookinc forward to taking on " Middlemarch " when it comes up!
So glad to have you Louis!
Looking forward to this. There are far too many “Big Reads “ in my stack waiting to be discovered
Love, love this book. So excited to read it again!
I started reading this several years ago, but never finished. I’m hoping that by reading with a group (and an excellent leader) that I won’t stall out this time.
Oh and how lucky am I? I have the recommended translation!
Oh wonderful! It's one that I had also started and stalled on a couple times.