Action & Adventure · Historical Fiction
The Count of Monte Cristo
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The Count of Monte Cristo is an adventure novel by French author Alexandre Dumas (père) completed in 1844. The story takes place in France, Italy, and islands in the Mediterranean during the historical events of 1815-1839: the era of the Bourbon Restoration through the reign of Louis-Philippe of France. It begins just before the Hundred Days period (when Napoleon returned to power after his exile). The historical setting is a fundamental element of the book, an adventure story primarily concerned with themes of hope, justice, vengeance, mercy, and forgiveness. It centres on a man who is wrongfully imprisoned, escapes from jail, acquires a fortune, and sets about exacting revenge on those responsible for his imprisonment.
Recommendation DNA i
Provisional Recommendation DNAThis Recommendation DNA profile brings together the strongest supported traits we have for the book and listening experience. Evidence Confidence is shown separately so you can see how much of that picture is tied to this exact audiobook.
The DNA score and trait strengths summarize what the available evidence says about fit and experience—not popularity or customer ratings.
Evidence Confidence
Why this matters →- The book itself is well identified and supported across independent sources.
- We still have limited information tied to this exact recording or edition.
- We have recording-specific performance commentary or analyzed audio for this audiobook.
We have a useful picture of the audiobook, though some listening and edition-specific details are still becoming clearer.
Evidence Snapshot i
These cards measure different things in the same evidence pool, so they are not meant to add together. Retained Evidence counts unique saved records; discussions and networks count independent groups; narration and edition cards count only records qualified for those specific jobs.
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Supporting sources 13
What this means
Unique evidence records that remain after filtering and deduplication. The larger evidence-signal total shown below can be higher because one retained record may support several separate facts or observations.
Source groups 11
What this means
Separate reviews, forums, interviews, or conversations, with duplicates kept from inflating the total.
Networks 38
What this means
Different platforms and publications represented in the research behind this page.
Supporting sources 4
What this means
Performance evidence that can actually describe how this narrator sounds or performs this recording. Identity records, narrator biographies, sample links, and awards are useful context but do not count here on their own.
Supporting sources 1
What this means
Sources tied to the audiobook recording itself, such as verified product or catalog records that help resolve narrator, runtime, format, release information, or stable recording identifiers.
What this means
The most recent date this page’s saved evidence picture was refreshed and checked.
A larger evidence pool gives us more to work with, but volume alone does not make a conclusion stronger. Relevance and independence still matter.
What the Evidence Adds
Useful context the synopsis doesn’t cover — patterns that may help you decide whether this book is your kind of read or listen.
Emotional Impact
Emotional stakes are a noticeable part of the book, rather than the story operating only at the level of plot or ideas.
Romance
Romance is a central part of the story rather than a small side thread.
Built from 329 retained source records across 151 independent discussions and 27 source networks.
Narrator Experience
How Richard Matthews performs this particular recording.
How we build this section
Performance summary
In the verified sample, Richard Matthews is heard with steady pacing, clear enunciation, moderate differentiation between the deliveries heard, and balanced expressiveness. These excerpt-level observations are combined with recording-specific listener evidence, so the profile stays cautious about qualities the short sample cannot demonstrate across the full audiobook.
This description is based on evidence specific to this recording.Verified against the exact title, author, and narrator. Opens the Audiobooks.com sample page; the commercial audio is not copied or rehosted here.
Performance at a glance
What the qualified evidence says about this narrationAudio observations reflect a short verified sample and are combined with recording-specific performance evidence.
What this means for your listen
Early performance evidence points this way: the steady or measured pace should feel easy to settle into; listeners who prefer brisk delivery may find it more deliberate. Clear or careful diction should make dialogue, names, and unfamiliar terms easier to follow over a longer listen.
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Evidence behind this section
Counts describe support for this narrator/recording, not a quality score.Why we describe the performance this way
We use evidence tied specifically to this recording. Repeated observations across independent sources carry more weight than isolated comments. Narrator background and career recognition can add useful context, but they do not determine how this performance is described.
View source groups 7 groups · 46 records
What It Feels Like to Listen
How this works
What this means
There is more than one layer to keep track of, but the story does not necessarily read as unusually difficult.
Why it appears: Book information and independent reader or listener observations that speak directly to this trait; recording-specific claims are kept separate unless they are actually supported.
What this means
Emotion plays a meaningful role in the experience, so character relationships and outcomes are likely to matter beyond the plot mechanics.
Why it appears: Book information and independent reader or listener observations that speak directly to this trait; recording-specific claims are kept separate unless they are actually supported.
What this means
The story tends to keep moving, with enough forward momentum to make scene changes and plot turns feel relatively quick.
Why it appears: Book information and independent reader or listener observations that speak directly to this trait; recording-specific claims are kept separate unless they are actually supported.
What this means for you: The story offers a detailed, emotionally charged adventure that moves from deliberate setup into increasingly urgent suspense. Romance, intrigue, and a taste for grand dramatic reversals make it especially rewarding for listeners who enjoy staying with a large narrative design.
Built from the saved evidence most relevant to these listening traits; some traits are supported more strongly than others.
Listener Themes
How themes are identified
Readers broadly respond to the book as a dramatic, moving, fast-moving classic with meaningful romantic and emotional stakes. The main qualification is structural: the opening can feel slow or heavily detailed before the later adventure gathers speed.
Evidence sources for these themes
Based on themes repeated across 207 independent discussions and 38 source networks.
Where Listeners Agree
The strongest agreement centers on narration quality and pace. The leading theme appears across 17 independent discussions and 7 source networks, which makes it more than a one-off reaction. Complexity also recurs as a meaningful secondary part of the response.
The strongest theme is independently supported across 17 discussions and 10 source networks.
Evidence sources for agreement
Is This Right for You?
You’ll probably enjoy this if…
- You enjoy historical adventures with romance, intrigue, and high emotional stakes.
- You are willing to let a long, detailed story build before its momentum fully arrives.
- You like complicated schemes, reversals, and morally charged consequences.
It might not be the best fit if…
- You prefer a rapidly moving plot from the opening pages.
- You dislike extended descriptions, large casts, or highly dramatic turns.
- You want a compact story with little need to remember earlier details.
Our Take
This is an expansive, emotionally serious adventure for listeners who enjoy intricate plotting, romantic stakes, and the pleasure of watching a long-held plan unfold. Its strongest appeal lies in the contrast between patient setup and increasingly thrilling movement, with enough complexity to reward sustained attention. Some readers may find the early chapters or occasional improbabilities demanding, but the overall response suggests a classic that can become deeply absorbing once its larger design takes shape. Recording-specific evidence for Richard Matthews is present but remains limited.
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The Three MusketeersRuntime & Edition Details
- Runtime
- 43:18
- Format
- Unabridged audiobook
- Publisher
- Description Nominated as one of America
- Language
- EN English
Before You Listen
- The opening may feel slower and more deliberate than the later adventure.
- The story is long and expansive, so keeping track of its many developments may require attention.
- Do not assume praise for other narrators or editions applies directly to Richard Matthews’s recording.
Why You Can Trust This Recommendation
- Identity and edition signals are checked separately
- Independent discussions and source networks are counted distinctly
- Narration claims require edition- or narrator-specific support
- Unsupported information is withheld instead of displayed as a zero score
329 evidence records remain in the research set behind this page after filtering and deduplication.
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FAQ
Is the story difficult to follow?
It is expansive and detailed, but available reader commentary generally describes the writing and plot as approachable. The larger challenge is remembering the many developments and relationships across the long narrative.
Does the pace stay consistently fast?
No. The opening is often described as measured or slow to establish the story, while the pace becomes considerably more thrilling after the central transformation takes shape.
Is Richard Matthews’s narration well supported by listener response?
There is a favorable edition-specific response calling his reading excellent and preferred over other versions the listener had heard. The supplied material does not support detailed claims about his vocal style, character voices, or production quality.
What should I know before starting this edition?
This is an English-language, unabridged audiobook with a listed runtime of 43 hours and 18 minutes. Its length and layered plot make it better suited to listeners ready for a sustained commitment than to anyone seeking a short standalone listen.
Ready to experience The Count of Monte Cristo?
Continue to this audiobook’s current verified edition and availability.