The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas

It is an entertaining story, with complicated and smartly designed plots. This is probably all the good words I can say.

On the other hand, the story is highly spiced and has little nutrition. Its characters are formulaic, and in particular, the presentation of the count of Monte Cristo is pale, weak, and ridiculous (if "funny" is not the right English word for it). His "coolness" is solely based on his richness (money can suddenly makes a sailor become a noble man who knows everything.). Furthermore, the work is extremely wordy, and I will probably value it a little more if it is cut to at least half. The writing is of vanity, full of junk dialogues.

I congratulate myself on finishing such a long work, of such a so so quality, with such a fame.

1996 Modern Library Edition. ISBN 0679601996.