Friday Aug 22, 2025
The Pope’s Scheme (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 18 – Part 5)
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.
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Episodes
Episodes
Thursday Aug 21, 2025
Thursday Aug 21, 2025
Avoiding Faria all day, Dantès finally relents when the abbé drags himself, with great difficulty, into his cell.
In The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 18, the old man insists Edmond hear the truth about the treasure — beginning with his years as secretary to Cardinal Spada, the last prince of his name, and the curious research that would lead to a discovery.
⸻
New to the journey? Start from the beginning at: http://countdownofmontecristo.com
Want to talk theories, themes, or betrayals? Join the conversation on our Discord: https://discord.gg/Sg2prdm
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.
Wednesday Aug 20, 2025
Wednesday Aug 20, 2025
Faria insists he has reconstructed the burnt document and uncovered its secret — but before he can explain, footsteps interrupt.
In The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 18, Dantès slips away to avoid hearing more, while the governor visits Faria, unaware of his paralysis. Alone, Edmond struggles to reconcile the abbé’s wisdom with the possibility that his treasure might be nothing more than madness.
⸻
New to the journey? Start from the beginning at: http://countdownofmontecristo.com
Want to talk theories, themes, or betrayals? Join the conversation on our Discord: https://discord.gg/Sg2prdm
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.
Tuesday Aug 19, 2025
Tuesday Aug 19, 2025
Dantès fears the abbé’s talk of treasure is a relapse — but Faria insists the matter is urgent.
In The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 18, the old man speaks of vengeance turned to generosity, determined to ensure Edmond inherits a vast fortune. To prove it’s real, he produces a scorched, centuries-old paper containing a tantalizing fragment of a treasure’s location.
⸻
New to the journey? Start from the beginning at: http://countdownofmontecristo.com
Want to talk theories, themes, or betrayals? Join the conversation on our Discord: https://discord.gg/Sg2prdm
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.
Monday Aug 18, 2025
Monday Aug 18, 2025
When Dantès visits the abbé the next morning, he finds him composed — and holding a strange, half-burnt paper marked with Gothic script.
In The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 18, Faria reveals what he calls his “treasure,” declaring that from this day forward, half belongs to Edmond. But after years of avoiding the subject for fear of madness, Dantès can’t help but wonder if the abbé has relapsed.
⸻
New to the journey? Start from the beginning at: http://countdownofmontecristo.com
Want to talk theories, themes, or betrayals? Join the conversation on our Discord: https://discord.gg/Sg2prdm
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.
Sunday Aug 17, 2025
Sunday Aug 17, 2025
Faria urges Dantès to escape without him — but Edmond swears never to leave his friend while he lives.
In The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 17, that vow changes their course: the escape tunnel must be filled in to avoid discovery, and Faria promises important news once the work is done.
⸻
New to the journey? Start from the beginning at: http://countdownofmontecristo.com
Want to talk theories, themes, or betrayals? Join the conversation on our Discord: https://discord.gg/Sg2prdm
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.
Saturday Aug 16, 2025
Saturday Aug 16, 2025
Faria tells Dantès the truth: the attack has left him permanently paralyzed.
In The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 17, the abbé demonstrates his lifeless arm, explains the family history of the illness, and recalls the prediction of a celebrated physician. Dantès refuses to accept it, vowing to carry his friend to freedom himself if he must.
⸻
New to the journey? Start from the beginning at: http://countdownofmontecristo.com
Want to talk theories, themes, or betrayals? Join the conversation on our Discord: https://discord.gg/Sg2prdm
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.
Friday Aug 15, 2025
Friday Aug 15, 2025
Faria wonders if Dantès might have escaped during his illness — but Edmond’s indignation makes his loyalty clear.
In The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 17, the abbé admits the attack has left him weakened, perhaps permanently, and fears a third will mean death or paralysis. Dantès refuses to believe it, vowing they will both live to see freedom.
⸻
New to the journey? Start from the beginning at: http://countdownofmontecristo.com
Want to talk theories, themes, or betrayals? Join the conversation on our Discord: https://discord.gg/Sg2prdm
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.
Thursday Aug 14, 2025
Thursday Aug 14, 2025
Edmond forces open the abbé’s jaws and administers the remedy — then waits, fearing he may have been too late.
An hour passes before color returns to Faria’s cheeks and life stirs once more.
In The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 17, relief floods Dantès, but the approach of the jailer forces him to act quickly to conceal their connection.
⸻
New to the journey? Start from the beginning at: http://countdownofmontecristo.com
Want to talk theories, themes, or betrayals? Join the conversation on our Discord: https://discord.gg/Sg2prdm
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.