Wednesday Jan 22, 2025
The Countdown of Monte Cristo – Episode 0003 – Chapter 1
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.
Listen on:
Episodes
Episodes
Tuesday Jan 21, 2025
Tuesday Jan 21, 2025
📚 Summary:In this episode, Edmond Dantès informs M. Morrel of Captain Leclère’s tragic death from brain fever during the Pharaon’s voyage. Despite the loss, Dantès demonstrates calm leadership as he ensures the ship and cargo are in perfect order. Along the way, we dive into 19th-century medical mysteries and explore the term “brain fever.”
✨ What Happens:
Edmond Dantès reports the death of Captain Leclère to M. Morrel, describing his struggle with brain fever.
The cargo and ship remain safe, reflecting Dantès’ competence and composure.
Dantès’ character and leadership qualities are highlighted as he commands the crew with precision.
💡 Thoughts & Reflections:
What is “brain fever”?
A vague 19th-century term for various neurological or febrile conditions, possibly meningitis, encephalitis, typhus, or heatstroke.
Robin Buss’ translation refers to “apoplectic fever,” suggesting a severe, acute illness.
The description of Dantès as calm and self-assured sets the tone for his character’s role in the story.
📖 Tidbits:
19th-Century Medicine: Terms like “brain fever” reflect the limited medical understanding of the time and often evoke drama in literature.
Edmond Dantès: Introduced as a capable and level-headed young sailor, beloved by his crew and trusted by his employer.
📣 Support the Show:Love diving into The Count of Monte Cristo? Subscribe to the podcast, share with your friends, and leave a review! You can also support this project and more by joining us at patreon.com/gruntworkpod.
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Monday Jan 20, 2025
Monday Jan 20, 2025
A daily, page-by-page read-along of Alexandre Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo.
In this first episode, we begin at the very beginning.
On February 24, 1815, the merchant ship Pharaon returns to the port of Marseille after a successful voyage through the Mediterranean. The crowd gathers. Something feels off. A young sailor rows out to meet the ship — a moment of celebration shadowed by quiet unease.
This episode includes:
A reading of the first page of Chapter 1 of The Count of Monte Cristo
Brief, spoiler-aware commentary
First-time reader impressions and observations
This podcast is designed for listeners who want to actually finish The Count of Monte Cristo: one page per day, at a manageable pace. You can start here or jump in at any point; the backlog is part of the experience.
New episodes are released daily.
This is an informal, experiential reading companion; commentary occasionally includes explicit language.
Tags
The Count of Monte Cristo read along, The Count of Monte Cristo chapter 1, Alexandre Dumas podcast, daily classic literature podcast, Monte Cristo audiobook alternative, reading The Count of Monte Cristo, classic novel read along, public domain literature podcast
Monday Jan 20, 2025
Monday Jan 20, 2025
Welcome to The Countdown of Monte Cristo
📚 Summary:Welcome to The Countdown of Monte Cristo! Join host Landen Celano as he embarks on a daily journey through Alexandre Dumas’ epic masterpiece, The Count of Monte Cristo. Starting January 20, 2025, and continuing until January 20, 2029, this podcast delivers bite-sized passages of the classic novel each day. Along the way, Landen shares reflections, research, and recaps to keep us immersed in the story—and help us escape the chaos of the modern world.
✨ What to Expect:
Daily Passages: A brief, pocket-sized morsel of The Count of Monte Cristo, read from the Gutenberg version (1846 translation).
Thoughts & Reflections: Insights, historical context, and recaps to deepen your connection to the text.
A Shared Journey: For fans of literature or first-time readers, this podcast is a daily escape into Dumas’ timeless tale.
💡 Why This Project?
Host Landen Celano has never read The Count of Monte Cristo—until now. This podcast is as much his discovery as it is yours.
The daily format turns an epic book into an approachable adventure, one tiny passage at a time.
The public domain Gutenberg text allows you to download the book for free and follow along!
📣 How to Support the Show:
Subscribe on YouTube or your favorite podcatcher.
Share the podcast with your friends and fellow book lovers.
Rate and Review to help others discover this absurdly ambitious project.
Join the Grunt Work Podcast Network’s Patreon at patreon.com/gruntworkpod to support this show and others like it.
🚀 An Invitation:Step into the world of Alexandre Dumas with Landen Celano and escape the daily grind for just a few moments each day. Together, let’s navigate The Count of Monte Cristo—one passage, one thought, and one day at a time.
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