#this is the first ship week ive participated in properly

[asanjou]

giramie week day 7: free space

episode 13

[revengesandwich]

The Count of Monte Cristo Readalong FAQ

Reading Calendar / Welcome Post

Q: How do I join?

A: Just read the designated chapters and post in the #CoMC17 tag! There’s no official list – anyone is welcome to join in at any time.

Q: How often should I post?

A: Ideally, at least once per week. There’s no strict requirement, and you can drop in and out as you wish, but posting at least once a week would be active participation. Of course, you’re also welcome to post more! Each week will include multiple chapters; you can comment on them separately or all at once or just focus on one single sentence you liked and only post about that for the whole week, it’s up to you.

Also, even if you aren’t posting yourself, please consider checking out other people’s posts and replying to them in a friendly fashion.

Q: What sorts of things should I post about?

A: Whatever you want! I’m the sort of person who’s inclined to try to analyze and explain things, so I’ll probably have some wordy posts about classical references and suchlike, but that’s in no way a requirement. It’s just a thing I personally enjoy doing. Post your immediate reactions! Post what you think about characters! Post what chapters you think suck! Post the characters you’ve decided to ship this week! Post one sentence or ten paragraphs, it’s totally up to you.

My one request is that explicit spoilers be behind a warning and a readmore, because there are a lot of first time readers who have expressed interest. Let’s try to keep them unspoiled about plot events if we can!

Q: Should I have read the book before?

A: Nope, not a requirement. It looks like there are a mix of first timers and rereaders interested, so we’ll have a diversity of perspectives on the book in terms of prior knowledge. As I just said above, I’d like to keep explicit spoilers hidden when possible by using warnings and cuts if we want to talk about future events and revelations in our posts.

Q: I don’t think I’m smart enough / I’m too shy to post.

A: Hard same, buddy; I have a long and venerable lurking career and doing this kind of thing makes me nervous. There’s no shame in lurking, if that’s what makes you happy, or waiting a few weeks to see if you want to join in posting. I’ll be very happy if you do! But that’s up to you and what makes you feel best.

Q: What translation should I use?

A: The readalong calendar is by chapter, not page number, so you can use any edition (in any language) you like. However, do be aware that a) many abridged translations are not properly labeled as such and b) most English language editions use one of the 19th century translations that, in addition to being a little old fashioned sounding, often cut out or tone down scenes that were considered “inappropriate,” despite being labeled as unabridged. When you’re looking for a copy, check the page length; most unabridged editions are at least 1000 pages long. The one I’m using is around 1230 pages. If it’s only six or seven hundred, it’s probably abridged.

I will be using the Penguin Classics edition, translated by Robin Buss. I haven’t read it before, but it gets good reviews for both modern readability and completeness.

Q: Can I get a free legal copy? I’m fine with Victorians doing my translating.

Yes, Project Gutenberg has a translation available that’s in the common domain, and I’m sure there are others.

They also have the original French novel in four parts: I II III IV

Q: Are there any sandwiches in the novel?

A: Not to the best of my recollection, but maybe I’ll find one on this readthrough.