Edmond Dantes, a young sailor, had just returned from a journey aboard the Pharaon. Monsieur Morrel, the owner of the ship, had decided to make Dantes the new captain of the ship. His life seemed perfect. He was to be the captain, he was engaged to a beautiful, young woman, Mercedes, and above all, everyone liked him. But there were three men who were jealous of Dantes–Danglars, Fernand Mondego and Caderousse. Danglars would become the captain of the ship if Dantes was removed, Fernand was in love with Mercedes, and Caderousse was a jealous neighbour of Dantes.
One day, the three men decided to plot against Dantes. They told the authorities that Dantes was in possession of an incriminating letter proving him to be a supporter of Napoleon. Napoleon was the French Emperor who had recently been removed from power and exiled to the island of Elba.
Danglars knew that, on their way back to Marseilles, Dantes had carried out the dying wish of the captain of their ship.
He had agreed to deliver a sealed package to the captain’s friend, as well as deliver a letter from the island of Elba to someone in Paris.He did not know the contents of either the package or the letter.
Dantes could not prove his innocence and was thus arrested on the day of his wedding. He met Monsieur de Villefort, an assistant district attorney. He looked at the letter that Dantes carried. He was shocked to see the letter and threw Dantes into Chateau d’If prison on an island in the Mediterranean Sea. The letter was written by someone close to Napoleon and was addressed to Monsieur de Villefort’s father. So to protect his father, he destroyed the letter and sent Dantes into prison.
Dantes spent fourteen years in prison. Morrel tried to have him freed, but could not.
In prison, Dantes lost all hope and decided to starve himself to death. The prisoner in the next cell was building a tunnel to escape but by mistake landed into Dantes’ cell and saved him. He was a wealthy Italian prisoner named Abbe Faria. The two became friends, and the learned Abbe taught Dantes all about literature, science, language and economics.
The Abbe also revealed to Dantes the location of an immense treasure on the Isle of Monte Cristo. He hoped Dantes would be able to get this treasure if he escaped. The two planned to dig an escape route out of the prison. But the Abbe fell sick and died. Dantes was now left alone. He replaced his own body with the Abbe’s. The Abbe’s body bag was thrown into the sea. Dantes was free at last, after fourteen years of imprisonment! He was saved from the sea by Italian smugglers.
Dantes travelled to Monte Cristo and found the treasure. He thanked God for saving him and leading him to the treasure. He decided to reward the people who helped him and punish those who hurt him. So he disguised himself as an Italian priest, travelled back to Marseilles and visited Caderousse. There, he got to know about the plot to frame him.
Dantes also learnt that his father had died in grief and Mercedes had married Fernand Mondego. Both Danglars and Mondego had become rich and powerful and were now living happily in Paris.
As a reward for this information, and for Caderousse’s regret in plotting against him, Dantes gave Caderousse a valuable diamond. Before Dantes left Marseilles, he also had saved Morrel from financial ruin. Edmond Dantes emerged in Rome as the Count of Monte Cristo. He was now ready to take his revenge.
Hemet Albert de Morcerf, son of Fernand Mondego and Mercedes, had saved him from bandits. In return for the favour, Albert introduced Dantes to the Parisian society. No one recognized him except Mercedes. But she did not reveal his identity. After gathering all knowledge about his enemies, Dantes planned his revenge.
Mondego was now known as the Count de Morcerf. To take revenge against him, Dantes revealed his secret. Morcerf had made his fortune by cheating his patron, the Greek vizier Ali Pacha. He also sold Ali Pacha’s wife and daughter, Haydee, into slavery. Dantes saved Haydee seven years ago and since then she had living with him. Haydee spoke in favour of Dantes. Albert and Mercedes were so ashamed after knowing this that they left Mondego. Finally, he committed suicide.
Dantes’ next enemy was Monsieur de Villefort. Dantes introduced Andrea Calvacanti into the society. Calvacanti was the son of Monsieur de Villefort. Years ago, Villefort attempted to bury the newborn baby alive. Monte Cristo’s servant had dug the baby up and saved it. Villefort’s crime was revealed and he went insane.
Danglars had become a rich banker. He had a wife and daughter. The Count destroyed Danglars by opening credit with him for six million francs. When Danglars needed this money, the Count left for Italy.
Danglars followed him to Italy and managed to recover his money. But on the way, Cristo’s bandits kidnapped him. They took away all the money. The Count spared his life and also revealed his true identity to Danglars.
The Count’s revenge was now complete. He met Mercedes for the last time and left aboard a ship with Haydee, his new-found love.
