The French Literature Discussion Group will read Alexandre Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo during five nights in the winter and spring of 2019 at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 West Napoleon Avenue, Metairie.

This event is free of charge and open to the public. There is no registration.

The Count of Monte Cristo, published in 1844, is an adventure novel that takes place in France, Italy, and islands in the Mediterranean during 1815–1839: the era of the Bourbon Restoration and the reign of Louis-Phillipe of France. It begins just before the Hundred Days period when Napoleon returned to power after his exile.

A central theme of the book is revenge, but it is also concerned with hope, justice, mercy and forgiveness. It centers on a man who is wrongfully imprisoned, escapes from jail, acquires a fortune, and sets about exacting revenge on those responsible for his imprisonment.

Participants are strongly encouraged to read the Penguin Classics edition of the book, which is unabridged and is 1,243 pages.

As with the Don Quixote Discussion Group, speakers from local universities will be invited to discuss various elements of the time.

7 p.m., Monday, Jan. 28, 2019
Page 1 to 254, Chapters I to XXVII (to the chapter titled Caderousse’s Story)

7 p.m., Monday, Feb. 25, 2019
Page 255 to 514, Chapter XXVIII to XLV (to the chapter titled A Shower of Blood)

7 p.m., Monday, March 25, 2019
Page 515 to 751, Chapter LXIX to XCII (to the chapter titled Information)

7 p.m., Monday, April 22, 2019
Page 752 to 1005, Chapter LXX to XCII (to the chapter titled Suicide)

7 p.m., Monday, May 20, 2019
Page 1005 to the end, Chapter XCII to the end.

During the summer of 2019, the group will read and discuss Irene Nemirovsky’s book, Suite Francaise.

During the fall of 2019, the group will read and discuss Stendahl’s The Red and the Black.

For more information regarding this presentation, contact Chris Smith, manager of Adult Programming for the library, at (504) 889-8143 or wcsmith@jefferson.lib.la.us.