The Countdown of Monte Cristo
A daily podcast reading The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, one page at a time, every single day, over the course of four years.
Each short episode offers a focused, intimate passage from Dumas’ sweeping tale of betrayal, imprisonment, revenge, and redemption, accompanied by brief reflections, historical context, and the occasional detour into 19th-century oddities (and yes, the occasional mangled French pronunciation).
Never read The Count of Monte Cristo? Perfect. This podcast is designed for first-time readers, longtime admirers, and anyone curious about experiencing a literary classic as a daily ritual rather than a daunting tome. You can start from the beginning or jump in wherever you are, the story unfolds steadily, patiently, one page at a time.
Whether you’re a lover of classic literature, a podcast listener looking for a calm daily escape, or someone who just wants a few quiet minutes away from the noise of the modern world, The Countdown of Monte Cristo invites you to live with one of the greatest novels ever written.
New episodes every day. No skipping. No rushing.
Subscribe on your favorite podcatcher or watch along on YouTube.
Support the project at https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod and help keep the countdown alive.
Episodes
Episodes
2 days ago
2 days ago
8 min
The Count of Monte Cristo follows Bertuccio’s story as his escape leads him to an inn near Beaucaire.
Seeking refuge after fleeing the custom-house officers on June 3, 1829, Bertuccio heads to the inn now owned by Gaspard Caderousse. Slipping into a familiar hiding place beside the building, he quietly waits for the right moment to reveal himself.
His escape ends at the doorstep of an unexpected encounter.
⸻
New to the journey? Start from the beginning at: http://countdownofmontecristo.com
Support the project on Patreon and receive full-length, story-only audio after each chapter: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod
Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or follow along on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf3vyewhvQugX5M3oREl57A
⸻
The Countdown of Monte Cristo is a daily podcast reading one page at a time from Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel — every day, for four years. Whether you’re starting from the beginning or joining mid-journey, each episode brings you deeper into the story of The Count of Monte Cristo.
3 days ago
3 days ago
8 min
The Count of Monte Cristo hears how Bertuccio’s smuggling expedition along the Rhône is suddenly interrupted by custom-house officers and gendarmes.
With his vessel surrounded, Bertuccio escapes by diving into the river and swimming unseen through a canal toward the tavern of an old associate near Beaucaire. His flight depends on speed, secrecy, and careful planning.
Capture becomes escape by the narrowest of margins.
⸻
New to the journey? Start from the beginning at: http://countdownofmontecristo.com
Support the project on Patreon and receive full-length, story-only audio after each chapter: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod
Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or follow along on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf3vyewhvQugX5M3oREl57A
⸻
The Countdown of Monte Cristo is a daily podcast reading one page at a time from Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel — every day, for four years. Whether you’re starting from the beginning or joining mid-journey, each episode brings you deeper into the story of The Count of Monte Cristo.
4 days ago
4 days ago
9 min
The Count of Monte Cristo hears Bertuccio explain why he could never discipline the boy he had rescued and raised.
Unable to forget the child’s origins, Bertuccio watches Benedetto grow increasingly defiant while planning to place him aboard a ship as a clerk, hoping honest work might reform him. With that decision made, Bertuccio departs for France on another smuggling expedition in 1829.
Hope for Benedetto’s future rests on one final plan.
⸻
New to the journey? Start from the beginning at: http://countdownofmontecristo.com
Support the project on Patreon and receive full-length, story-only audio after each chapter: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod
Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or follow along on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf3vyewhvQugX5M3oREl57A
⸻
The Countdown of Monte Cristo is a daily podcast reading one page at a time from Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel — every day, for four years. Whether you’re starting from the beginning or joining mid-journey, each episode brings you deeper into the story of The Count of Monte Cristo.
5 days ago
5 days ago
8 min
The Count of Monte Cristo hears how Benedetto’s behavior grows more dangerous as he enters adolescence.
Spoiled by Assunta’s devotion and emboldened by his own defiance, the boy falls in with older troublemakers across Corsica. Hoping to change his course, Bertuccio invites Benedetto to join him on a smuggling expedition, but the proposal is met only with laughter.
Every attempt to guide the boy seems to push him farther away.
⸻
New to the journey? Start from the beginning at: http://countdownofmontecristo.com
Support the project on Patreon and receive full-length, story-only audio after each chapter: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod
Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or follow along on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf3vyewhvQugX5M3oREl57A
⸻
The Countdown of Monte Cristo is a daily podcast reading one page at a time from Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel — every day, for four years. Whether you’re starting from the beginning or joining mid-journey, each episode brings you deeper into the story of The Count of Monte Cristo.
6 days ago
6 days ago
9 min
The Count of Monte Cristo hears Bertuccio describe the childhood of the boy they named Benedetto.
Though lovingly raised by Assunta, Benedetto soon reveals a troubling nature through theft, deceit, and defiance. When confronted over a stolen monkey, the young boy shocks Bertuccio with a declaration that strikes at the heart of their family.
The child they rescued begins to reveal the person he is becoming.
⸻
New to the journey? Start from the beginning at: http://countdownofmontecristo.com
Support the project on Patreon and receive full-length, story-only audio after each chapter: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod
Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or follow along on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf3vyewhvQugX5M3oREl57A
⸻
The Countdown of Monte Cristo is a daily podcast reading one page at a time from Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel — every day, for four years. Whether you’re starting from the beginning or joining mid-journey, each episode brings you deeper into the story of The Count of Monte Cristo.
7 days ago
7 days ago
10 min
The Count of Monte Cristo hears how Bertuccio returned from a smuggling expedition to an unexpected surprise.
While he was away, Assunta traveled to Paris with the identifying linen and reclaimed the infant from the foundling asylum. Seeing the child safe in a cradle, Bertuccio is overcome with gratitude for her compassion.
The life he once rescued becomes part of his own family.
⸻
New to the journey? Start from the beginning at: http://countdownofmontecristo.com
Support the project on Patreon and receive full-length, story-only audio after each chapter: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod
Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or follow along on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf3vyewhvQugX5M3oREl57A
⸻
The Countdown of Monte Cristo is a daily podcast reading one page at a time from Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel — every day, for four years. Whether you’re starting from the beginning or joining mid-journey, each episode brings you deeper into the story of The Count of Monte Cristo.
Oct 22, 2026
Oct 22, 2026
9 min
The Count of Monte Cristo listens as Bertuccio explains the life he built after carrying out his vendetta.
Returning to smuggling along the southern coast of France, Bertuccio supports his brother’s widow while avoiding the authorities, knowing any investigation could uncover his past. He reflects on how living with death as a constant possibility transformed both his courage and his resolve.
Bertuccio’s confession turns from a single act of vengeance to the life that followed it.
⸻
New to the journey? Start from the beginning at: http://countdownofmontecristo.com
Support the project on Patreon and receive full-length, story-only audio after each chapter: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod
Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or follow along on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf3vyewhvQugX5M3oREl57A
⸻
The Countdown of Monte Cristo is a daily podcast reading one page at a time from Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel — every day, for four years. Whether you’re starting from the beginning or joining mid-journey, each episode brings you deeper into the story of The Count of Monte Cristo.
Oct 21, 2026
Oct 21, 2026
8 min
The Count of Monte Cristo hears the final details of this chapter of Bertuccio’s confession, including the fate of the infant from the box.
Bertuccio recalls his sister-in-law’s wish to raise the child and reveals the identifying marks left on the linen. Monte Cristo then turns the conversation toward two unanswered questions: what became of the boy, and how Bertuccio later found himself imprisoned at Nîmes.
The confession pauses only long enough to open an even deeper story.
⸻
New to the journey? Start from the beginning at: http://countdownofmontecristo.com
Support the project on Patreon and receive full-length, story-only audio after each chapter: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod
Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or follow along on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf3vyewhvQugX5M3oREl57A
⸻
The Countdown of Monte Cristo is a daily podcast reading one page at a time from Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel — every day, for four years. Whether you’re starting from the beginning or joining mid-journey, each episode brings you deeper into the story of The Count of Monte Cristo.