The Countdown of Monte Cristo

The Countdown of Monte Cristo

Welcome to The Countdown of Monte Cristo, the daily podcast where we break down one of literature’s greatest adventures, bite by bite. For the next four years—yes, you heard that right—host Landen Celano will be reading a passage from Alexandre Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo every single day. Each episode offers a short escape into this timeless tale of betrayal, revenge, and redemption, paired with Landen’s reflections, insights, and occasional forays into 19th-century oddities. Never read The Count of Monte Cristo? Perfect—you’re not alone. This show is for first-timers, seasoned fans, or anyone who’s curious about exploring a literary masterpiece one small morsel at a time. Along the way, we’ll dig into historical tidbits, unpack the story’s twists and turns, and maybe even stumble over a French pronunciation or two. (Phonetics are hard, okay?) Whether you’re a lover of classics, a casual listener looking for a daily dose of culture, or just someone who needs a momentary escape from the noise of the modern world, this podcast has something for you. So grab your metaphorical ticket to Marseille, and let’s set sail on this absurdly ambitious journey together. Subscribe now on your favorite podcatcher or find us on YouTube. And don’t forget to support the show at https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod. Join us as we count down The Count!

Episodes

February 5, 2025 5 mins

📚 Summary: Caderousse, a tailor and old acquaintance, arrives at the Dantès home with a broad grin and an overly warm greeting for Edmond. Though outwardly friendly, his exaggerated demeanor and mention of a past loan suggest an underlying tension. Dantès responds with politeness but remains wary. As the conversation unfolds, Caderousse reveals he ran into Danglars at the quay, reinforcing the presence of these two figures in Dant...

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📚 Summary: Edmond Dantès returns home, eager to share his wealth with his father, offering him financial security and small luxuries like smuggled coffee and tobacco. Though grateful, the elder Dantès remains cautious, unwilling to spend too freely. Their reunion is interrupted by the arrival of Caderousse, a neighbor whose overly warm greeting and presence hint at deeper tensions beneath the surface.

✨ What Happens:
  • Dantès ...
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📚 Summary: Edmond Dantès returns home, eager to share his hard-earned money with his father and lift him out of poverty. Though grateful, old Dantès is wary of spending too freely, fearful of what others might think. Edmond insists his father no longer live in hardship, even promising him smuggled coffee and tobacco from the ship. Their moment of reunion is soon interrupted by Caderousse, a neighbor whose visit may not be as well-...

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📚 Summary: Edmond Dantès shares the news of his expected promotion to captain with his father, promising a future of comfort and security. Overwhelmed with joy, the old man suddenly collapses, revealing the financial hardship he endured during Edmond’s absence. Dantès, horrified to find their cupboards bare, realizes his father has been living in quiet destitution, forcing him to question what else may have been sacrificed in his ...

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📚 Summary: In this tender chapter, Edmond Dantès reunites with his father after returning from his voyage aboard the Pharaon. Overcome with joy, his father trembles at the sight of his son, while Dantès promises happiness and better days ahead. Their heartfelt reunion reveals the strength of their bond and the sacrifices made in Dantès’ absence.

 

✨ What Happens:

  • Leaving Danglars’ scheming behind, Dantès travels through the b...
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📚 Summary: As Edmond Dantès prepares to leave the Pharaon, M. Morrel inquires about his opinion of keeping Danglars aboard if he becomes captain. Dantès diplomatically expresses respect for Morrel’s confidence in his crew. Granted leave and a skiff, Dantès departs for La Canebière, disappearing into the bustling port city of Marseille, while M. Morrel fondly observes his departure and Danglars watches with a more suspicious eye.

...

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📚 Summary: Edmond Dantès’ dream of becoming captain of the Pharaon seems within reach as M. Morrel expresses his intention to advocate for him with his partner. Overwhelmed with gratitude, Dantès thanks M. Morrel for his support on behalf of himself, his father, and Mercédès. When asked about Danglars, Dantès diplomatically acknowledges his competence but alludes to their personal animosity, recalling a past quarrel that almost le...

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📚 Summary: Edmond Dantès clarifies that Mercédès is his betrothed, not his mistress, demonstrating his strong values. M. Morrel praises Dantès’ responsibility and devotion to his father while offering him financial help, which Dantès politely declines, citing three months’ saved wages. Dantès requests leave to marry Mercédès and travel to Paris, which M. Morrel approves, hinting at Dantès’ future captaincy of the Pharaon.

✨ What ...

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📚 Summary: Edmond Dantès discusses his father’s well-being with M. Morrel, noting his father’s pride and self-reliance. Dantès also mentions another important visit after seeing his father, prompting M. Morrel to tease him about his fiancée, Mercédès. M. Morrel reveals Mercédès’ devotion, sharing that she eagerly inquired about the Pharaon’s return multiple times.

✨ What Happens:

  • M. Morrel praises Dantès for his devotion to ...
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📚 Summary: Danglars subtly accuses Edmond Dantès of receiving a mysterious packet and letter from Captain Leclère but quickly backtracks, claiming he might be mistaken. M. Morrel decides to let Dantès clarify the matter himself if needed. Dantès then confirms he has completed all customs duties and politely declines M. Morrel’s dinner invitation, explaining his first priority is to visit his father.

✨ What Happens:

  • Danglars ...
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📚 Summary: Edmond Dantès defends his brief stop at Porto-Ferrajo, explaining he was simply following Captain Leclère’s orders and unaware of the packet’s contents. As health officers and customs inspectors arrive, Dantès leaves to handle their boarding, while Danglars seizes the moment to subtly sow doubt. He questions M. Morrel about a potential letter Captain Leclère might have entrusted to Dantès and hints at the mysterious pac...

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📚 Summary: Edmond Dantès reveals to M. Morrel that he met Napoleon while delivering a packet to Marshal Bertrand at Elba. Napoleon recognized the Morrel family name, recalling a connection with M. Morrel’s uncle, Policar, who served with him in Valence. Delighted by the story, M. Morrel encourages Dantès to share it with his uncle, while also cautioning that interacting with Napoleon could lead to trouble if discovered.

✨ What Ha...

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📚 Summary: Edmond Dantès expertly oversees the anchoring of the Pharaon, continuing to impress M. Morrel with his leadership and skill, much to Danglars’ jealous disdain. As Danglars questions Dantès about his stop at Elba, Dantès explains it was to deliver a packet for Marshal Bertrand per Captain Leclère’s dying instructions. M. Morrel’s discreet question about Napoleon reveals the shadow of history looming over the events of Fe...

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📚 Summary: In this episode, tensions rise as M. Morrel praises Edmond Dantès' leadership and skill, but Danglars’ resentment toward Dantès comes to the surface. Danglars criticizes Dantès for assuming command after Captain Leclère’s death and accuses him of unnecessarily stopping at the Island of Elba. While M. Morrel defends Dantès’ actions, Danglars’ accusations reveal his deep animosity toward the young sailor.

✨ What Happens:

...
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    📚 Summary: As the Pharaon approaches port, Edmond Dantès expertly commands the crew to prepare the ship for anchoring. M. Morrel, the ship’s owner, climbs aboard and speaks with Danglars, the supercargo, who informs him of Captain Leclère’s death while praising the late captain’s service. Meanwhile, Dantès remains focused on his duties, showcasing his leadership and popularity among the crew in contrast to Danglars' unlikable natu...

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    📚 Summary: In this episode, Edmond Dantès recounts the tragic death of Captain Leclère, who succumbed to a sudden fever after a troubling encounter in Naples. The crew honored him with a burial at sea near El Giglio Island, preserving his sword and cross of honor for his widow. While Dantès reflects on the futility of life and war, M. Morrel turns his attention to the voyage’s success, revealing the Pharaon’s exceptional profitabi...

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    📚 Summary: In this episode, Edmond Dantès informs M. Morrel of Captain Leclère’s tragic death from brain fever during the Pharaon’s voyage. Despite the loss, Dantès demonstrates calm leadership as he ensures the ship and cargo are in perfect order. Along the way, we dive into 19th-century medical mysteries and explore the term “brain fever.”

    ✨ What Happens:

    • Edmond Dantès reports the death of Captain Leclère to M. Morrel, des...
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    🌊 Summary: The Pharaon makes its slow, solemn approach to Marseille’s port on February 24, 1815, fresh from its journey through Smyrna, Trieste, and Naples. While expertly handled, the ship’s demeanor stirs unease in the crowd of onlookers. One man’s instinct drives him to row out to meet the vessel—a hometown hero’s return tinged with mystery.

    📚 What Happens:

    • The Pharaon, a three-masted ship, arrives at Marseille, becoming...
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    Welcome to The Countdown of Monte Cristo

    📚 Summary: Welcome to The Countdown of Monte Cristo! Join host Landen Celano as he embarks on a daily journey through Alexandre Dumas’ epic masterpiece, The Count of Monte Cristo. Starting January 20, 2025, and continuing until January 20, 2029, this podcast delivers bite-sized passages of the classic novel each day. Along the way, Landen shares reflections, research, and recaps to keep us ...

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