The Count of Monte Cristo Until now this chapter has been firmly stuck in the 20th Century. However, as wonderful as the literature of said century has been, to ignore (or even seem to ignore) the work of writers in earlier periods - be it the 19th Century (as with Dumas), the 18th Century, or even in the years before time began, before the Common Era, with works such as the Ancient Greek Euripides' Medea - would be something too blasphemous to dream of contemplating on this here humble blog of mine.

But worse than ignoring works of vital interest, is butchering and sensationalising them with insensitive strokes of the pen (or keyboard, as is the case here, if it is possible to make strokes with a keyboard), which is why I won't dwell or expand too long on Dumas' masterpiece. It's not in my remit, you see, to do such things.

I simply want to bring the piece of literature to your attention. To give you the gentle nudge to go to your local and borrow it, or hop along to your favourite book outlet (Amazon perhaps?) and purchase the treasure to nestle to your bosom until the end of your days.

This is an entirely insufficient and lazy way to go about these things, but please, overlook my scant presentation and read the book. If I were to attempt to write personally about it, there would be a chance of you being put off by the clumsy descriptions and emotional outpourings, and would forever have a tainted view before touching a copy of the work. Read it. Enjoy.

What are you waiting for? Be off with you!

Word of the Week

Classic

classic adj. & n. —adj. 1 a of the first class; of acknowledged excellence. b remarkably typical; outstandingly important (a classic case). 2 a of ancient Greek or Latin literature, art, or culture. b (of style in art, music, etc.) simple, harmonious, well-proportioned; in accordance with established forms. 3 having literary or historic associations (classic ground). 4 (of clothes) made in a simple elegant style not much affected by changes in fashion. —n. 1 a classic writer, artist, work, or example. 2 a an ancient Greek or Latin writer. b (in pl.) the study of ancient Greek and Latin literature and history. c archaic a scholar of ancient Greek and Latin. 3 a follower of classic models. 4 a garment in classic style. 5 (in pl.) Brit. the classic races.

Definition courtesy of the Concise Oxford Dictionary