Review-The Sultan of Monte Cristo

[Paul Lappen]

The Sultan of Monte Cristo: The First Sequel to The Count of Monte Cristo, Holy Ghost Writer, 2012, Kindle e-book, B008HV55YA

This is a continuation of "The Count of Monte Cristo," by Alexandre Dumas, one of the greatest of 19th Century novels.

Many of the same characters from the earlier book are here. Having escaped from prison, and having faked his own death, Edmond Dantes is sailing the seven seas with Mercedes, his lover. He contemplates living the life of a soldier and pirate, instead of settling down as the Sultan of Albania. Later, Edmond receives a letter from his father, and learns some really interesting things about his ancestry. His family tree can be traced all the way back to Mary Magdalene. After the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven, Mary supposedly moved to southern France, and established a new branch of the family tree, the Merovingians. There is a daring mid-sea battle between Edmond and the captain of another pirate ship (the winner gets the other's ship and crew).

I have never read the original book, but, if it is anything like this, maybe I will. On the positive side, this is a really interesting and well-written story. On the negative side, this book really needs a trip, or another trip, to a proofreader or copy-editor. It is short, and well worth reading.

[Patty Woodland]

From that synopsis I wouldn't call it a continuation but a turn down another path.