A decadent take on an endearing work.
“As Edmond Dantes was mummified alive in the darkness beneath Monte Cristo, he reflected on the events which had brought him there.” These ominous words set the tone for the wild adventure that is The Mummy of Monte Cristo. The story begins with a bright-faced Edmond on his way home from a trip at sea. He has been promoted to captain, he’s about to marry the love of his life, and it seems that nothing can dampen his rosy outlook. However, not everyone is jubilant over Edmond’s promotion. In fact, there are political elements at play that are threatened by the admirable young man. A little ambition and a lot of pride on the part of a few men come together to land Edmond in prison, altering his life’s course.
All of that is the story you already know from countless literary, film, and other adaptations of The Count of Monte Cristo. But J Trevor Robinson takes Edmond Dantes and his friends to completely uncharted waters! Before the Pharaon is even docked, we discover that seamen fighting kraken is a regular workplace hazard. There are also werewolves, magical abilities, and monsters of every sort painted seamlessly into the dark corners of France in the early 1800s. If that isn’t enough, Robinson perfectly captures the all-consuming revenge that colors Edmond’s personality, and even manages to make him a more likable, more complex, and more deliberate character.
J Trevor Robinson truly leaves no stone unturned in his grand retelling. The scenes are vividly reimagined with the lingering threat of zombie-like plagues and psychic abilities. I loved the constant contrasts between that which is rich, regal and grand, and that which is dark, debased and depraved. A decadent take on an endearing work, The Mummy of Monte Cristo is a delicious tale worth sinking your teeth into.
