CostasNarrativeXP ft The Count of Monte Cristo Volume IV 讀你聽2.2 基度山恩仇記
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Alexandre Dumas "The Count of Monte Cristo"
Plot outline by Auguste Maquet
A sweeping tale of betrayal, vengeance, and redemption, following Edmond Dantès as he transforms from wronged sailor to cunning, resourceful Monte Cristo.
Volume IV Chapter 74-95
00:30 74 Two days after the Saint-Mérans’ funeral, Villefort insists Franz and Valentine sign the marriage contract; preparations proceed, but Barrois announces Noirtier wishes to see Franz immediately, prompting them to follow him.
21:42 75 Noirtier directs Franz to a document detailing his father's death. The General was killed in a fair duel by a Bonapartist president after refusing their plot. Franz asks the killer's name. Noirtier confesses himself.
45:56 76 Monte Cristo visits the Danglars, learns of financial losses and broken engagements. Andrea courts Eugénie; Albert appears indifferent. Danglars favors Andrea, hinting at Fernand’s scandalous past in Greece.
1:08:48 77 Monte Cristo introduces Albert to Haydée, Ali Pasha’s daughter, who recounts her father’s betrayal and enslavement. Albert listens, unaware that his own father was the traitor responsible for her family’s downfall.
1:59:13 78 Franz ends the engagement; Noirtier restores Valentine’s inheritance. Danglars breaks Albert’s match over Fernand’s rumored betrayal. Albert, angered by Beauchamp’s Janina article, challenges Beauchamp to a duel.
79 Valentine tells Maximilien about moving with Noirtier. She offers thirsty Barrois lemonade, but he collapses and dies. The doctor identifies poison, the same that killed Madame de Villefort, Barrois had prepared it earlier.
3:09:06 80 Villefort learns Barrois's death was a poisoning aimed at Noirtier, d'Avrigny insists Valentine is the suspect and urges arrest, but Villefort refuses to believe it and quiets him, while all his house servants resign that night.
81 Andrea secures Eugénie's hand from Danglars. Caderousse demands more money and aid, Andrea hints the Count might be his father, shares house layout, and notes the Count will be in Auteuil for several days.
82 Monte Cristo, disguised as Abbé Busoni, ambushes Caderousse during a break-in. Caderousse attacks him, fails, escapes, and is stabbed. Dying, he confesses as Monte Cristo and Ali rush to him.
4:27:27 83 Ali and the Count tend the wounded Caderousse. Caderousse reveals Benedetto’s attack, leaves a confession, and denies God's existence. Count reveals himself, Caderousse acknowledges God and dies.
84 Villefort investigates Caderousse’s murder; police search for Benedetto. Andrea and Eugénie’s marriage plans proceed despite her reluctance. Albert learns his father’s betrayal from Beauchamp, destroying the proof.
85 Monte Cristo clarifies he hasn’t sponsored Andrea. He invites Albert to Normandy. After traveling and leisure, Albert receives a newspaper revealing his father’s betrayal, prompting him to ride immediately back to Paris.
5:18:17 86 Haydée exposes Morcerf’s crimes before the Upper House: he betrayed Ali Pasha, sold Haydée and her mother into slavery, and murdered her father. Unable to defend himself, Morcerf is unanimously convicted and flees.
87 Albert plans to avenge his family’s dishonor and seeks Beauchamp’s help. They confront Danglars, learning his inquiries were innocent. Albert recalls Monte Cristo’s guidance and realizes he might have hidden motives.
88 Albert plans to confront Monte Cristo, who will be at the opera. Albert visits his mother, who defends the count. During intermission, Albert challenges the Count to a duel, with Morrel and Emmanuel to serve as seconds.
6:21:52 89 Monte Cristo checks his dueling pistols when Mercédès, veiled, begs him not to kill Albert. She recognized him, learns Fernand’s role in his arrest, and he vows to spare Albert, leaving Mercédès witnessing his lost vengeance.
90 The Count laments his ruined vengeance, writes a will favoring Haydée and Maximilien, prepares for a duel with Albert; given Mercédès’ intervention, Albert apologizes, realises the count’s motives, and the duel is canceled.
91 Albert rejects convention and prepares to leave with Mercédès. Bertuccio brings Monte Cristo’s letter revealing money buried long ago for Mercédès. Mercédès decides to use it as a dowry for a convent.
7:21:53 92 Monte Cristo returns home; Haydée greets him. Morcerf arrives, threatens a duel. Monte Cristo reveals himself as Edmond Dantès. Morcerf flees home, witnesses his family leaving. An explosion pursues.
93 Maximilien visits sickly Valentine, who follows Noirtier’s medicine and feels worsening bitterness. After greeting the Danglars, she weakens. Returning to Noirtier and Morrel, she collapses and servants are called for help.
94 Morrel seeks Monte Cristo when Valentine collapses. The doctor realizes she was protected by Noirtier’s gradual brucine doses. The Count, anguished, promises she will live while secretly moving in next door as Abbé Busoni.
8:21:57 95 Eugénie tells her father she refuses marriage but will sign the contract only if he uses her dowry to restore his failing credit, not invest it. She hints at a private plan she won’t reveal.
Main Characters of Volume IV
Edmond Dantès / Count of Monte Cristo – Brilliant, resourceful, and vengeful; uses intelligence and disguise to manipulate events and punish wrongdoers.
Baron Danglars – Ambitious, greedy, and scheming banker; morally corrupt and self-serving.
Gérard de Villefort – Calculating, ambitious prosecutor; obsessed with reputation and hiding family secrets.
Madame de Villefort – Cold, manipulative, and ruthless; prioritizes wealth and status over morality.
Valentine de Villefort – Gentle, kind, and virtuous; represents innocence and moral integrity.
Noirtier de Villefort – Wise, strong-willed patriarch; paralyzed but mentally sharp and influential.
Haydée – Loyal, intelligent, and devoted; embodies gratitude and love toward Monte Cristo.
Maximilien Morrel – Courageous, honorable, and passionate; driven by loyalty and love.
Costa's Wordbook
Phaedrus - written by Plato, is a dialogue between Socrates and Phaedrus, an interlocutor in several dialogues
Malibran, Grisi - former, a celebrated French-Spanish mezzo-soprano, famous across Europe for her operatic performances. She was considered one of the greatest singers of her era; latter, an Italian soprano, known for her operatic roles, especially in the bel canto repertoire
Prodigality n spending or using large amounts of money, time, energy, unwisely (Praw di gality)
Law - John Law, a Scottish financier and economist, famous for his role in early 18th-century French finance, he created the Mississippi Company, which controlled trade and had a monopoly in French Louisiana, he then issued paper money backed by the company’s stock, which led to massive speculation. People bought shares thinking their value would keep rising; the Mississippi Bubble burst in 1720, ruining many investors when the stock collapsed
Brabantio - a character from Shakespeare’s play Othello. He is Desdemona’s father, and in the play he delivers a famous speech (“malediction”) denouncing Othello for marrying his daughter
Complete Features
Songs of Dead Dreamer, Last Unicorn, Brothers Karamazov, Fellowship of the Ring, Winnie the Pooh, Jane Eyre, Angels & Demons, Perfume, Great Gatsby, Jekyll & Hyde, Maigret, 1984, Metamorphosis, Dracula, Don Quixote, Dorian Gray, Anne Frank, Lord of the Flies, Liar's Poker, Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, Great Expectations
Milestone
2021: 0 Full soundtrack, no editing, wife commentary, summary outline, irregular release
2022: 2.0 DaVinci editing, wordbook, book intro, AI host + illustration, chapter summary, scheduled release
2023: 2.1 Descript, CapCut, Suno score, character intro, weekly release
2024: 2.2 Standard condenser mic, Audacity, ChatGPT annotation + illustration, timestamp, 1-hour content
Patreon: costasaudiobook
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