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
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.
3 days ago
3 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.
4 days ago
4 days ago
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.
5 days ago
5 days ago
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.
6 days ago
6 days ago
8 min
The Count of Monte Cristo learns what Bertuccio found inside the box buried in the garden at Auteuil.
Instead of money, Bertuccio discovers a newborn infant and succeeds in reviving the child before carrying it to a Paris foundling asylum. Believing he has balanced one life taken with another saved, he returns to Corsica and tells his sister-in-law that his brother has been avenged.
An act of vengeance gives way to an unexpected act of mercy.
⸻
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 Bertuccio recount the moment his vendetta against Villefort reached its climax in the garden at Auteuil.
Hidden among the trees, Bertuccio watches Villefort bury a small box before striking him down and taking the buried object. Believing his vengeance complete, he conceals the evidence and escapes into the night.
The long pursuit ends with a single, fateful act.
⸻
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 18, 2026
Oct 18, 2026
11 min
The Count of Monte Cristo hears how Bertuccio finally prepares to carry out his vendetta in the garden at Auteuil.
Armed with a knife, Bertuccio slips over the garden wall, conceals himself among the trees, and waits for Villefort to emerge. As midnight arrives and the private staircase door opens, the long-awaited moment finally seems at hand.
The hours of waiting give way to a single decisive instant.
⸻
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 17, 2026
Oct 17, 2026
9 min
The Count of Monte Cristo listens as Bertuccio describes the secret he uncovered in the garden at Auteuil.
Watching from beyond the wall, he sees Villefort meet a young pregnant woman in secret and decides to delay his revenge until the moment is right. Days later, after Villefort returns under cover of darkness, Bertuccio quietly takes his place outside the garden wall to watch what happens next.
Vengeance gives way to careful observation.
⸻
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.