The Count of Monte Cristo (is an adventure novel by French author Alexandre Dumas (père). Completed in 1844 it is one of the author's most popular works along with The Three Musketeers.

The story takes place in France Italy islands in the Mediterranean and in the Levant during the historical events of 18151838. It begins from just before the Hundred Days period (when Napoleon returned to power after his exile) and spans through to the reign of Louis-Philippe of France. The historical setting is a fundamental element of the book. An adventure story primarily concerned with themes of hope justice vengeance mercy and forgiveness it focuses on a man who is wrongfully imprisoned escapes from jail acquires a fortune and sets about getting revenge on those responsible for his imprisonment.

However his plans have devastating consequences for the innocent as well as the guilty. The book is considered a literary classic today. According to Luc Sante "The Count of Monte Cristo has become a fixture of Western civilization's literature as inescapable and immediately identifiable as Mickey Mouse Noah's flood and the story of Little Red Riding Hood."