Alternate Ending
I enjoyed the mystery and suspense that this book but I would have changed the ending of the book. I would have began changing the story when Fernand confronts Edmond. I don't think Fernand should have killed himself. Instead, I imagined a duel between Monte Cristo and Fernand. You must remember that these two men despise each other and rage has been boiling up inside Edmond for decades. However, I don't think Edmond could kill a man in cold blood. I imagined them dueling and Edmond granting Fernand mercy but Fernand trying to kill Edmond anyway. Instead of Edmond killing Fernand, he sends him to the Chateau d'If to rot and suffer like Edmond did. Next, I imagined Villefort's punishment different. I expected his wife to actually kill him. He's such a rotten man and dirty to have an affair that I expected her to take her rage out on Monsieur Villefort himself. Then I expected her to run away and with their son and never return. Next, I would have done exactly the same thing Edmond did to Danglars. Danglars is a nasty crook who took money from innocent people and ruined Edmond's life. I think it was good riddance that Danglars almost starved and died with the bandits. I even would have allowed Danglars to go free as long as he vowed to never return. Next, I would have definitely helped Valentine and Maximillean to be together. However, I think it was cruel that Edmond kept the poisoning secret from Max and Nortier. They were so hurt that she 'died' so I would have let at least Nortier know. Perhaps Edmond wanted Max to prove his love for Valentine. I can agree with that because he didn't want Valentine to get hurt like he did with Mercedes. I would have also given the two lovers my house and yacht like Edmond did in the book. The last thing I would have changed was the whole fiasco with Albert, Mercedes and Haydee. I would have had Albert be on good terms with Edmond and have them stay in touch while Albert served in the war. I would have also liked for Mercedes and Edmond to reunite and become friends again. They depart rather abruptly and I wish they would have made peace. I still would have had Edmond and Haydee elope and I would have definitely told Valentine and Max to "wait and hope", because if one waits and hopes, anything can be achieved.