The Count of Monte Cristo

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas is the ultimate revenge classic, following Edmund Dantes' false imprisonment and vengeful escape against those who ruined him, exploring how virtue deteriorates into cruelty while questioning forgiveness and true justice. I was shocked by the lengths of revenge and its profound dive into the human condition with memorable characters—it's not just vengeance but a rich commitment worth every page. Everything heard about it is true, deeper than expected. I recommend the unabridged version because it's the greatest classic; don't put it off like I did—it's transformative and demands reading for its iconic status.