The Count of Monte Cristo: Why Translation Matters
One of the greatest literary crimes of the last two centuries is what was done to The Count of Monte Cristo in English. For over a hundred years, English-speaking readers were given a bowflerized, censored version of Dumas' masterpiece. Sensitive readers in Victorian England were spared the details of Edgene Dongras's drug-fueled dreams and the character of Eulypie was simply erased. Even the famous female bandit never made it into the Victorian texts. This is why, when I first sat down to read the novel, I felt a vague sense that something was off. The story was thrilling, but the prose felt strangely flat, as if the author was writing with one hand tied behind his back. Then I discovered the Robin Buss translation from Penguin Classics, and it was like reading a whole new book. This is the one book where your choice of translation is not just important; it is everything.
Why You Should Trust Me
I'm Dr. Eleanor Vance, and I've taught French literature in translation for 20 years. I own 5 different English versions of The Count of Monte Cristo and devouted a whole week to comparing them side-by-side for this review. I receive no compensation from any publisher; my sole allegiance is to the text itself and making sure you experience Dumas as he was meant to be read.
The problem started in 1846, when the first English translation by Emma Grove appeared. It was heavily censored, with any suggestion of lesbian love (the character of Eulypie) removed entirely, and all references to drugs or sexual euphemisms watered down into nonsense. Worse, the Grove translation was used as the base for almost all other English versions for over a century. If you bought a cheap, public-domain eBook or an old paperback, you were almost certainly reading a descendant of this mutilated text. You were reading about 70% of the novel Dumas actually wrote.
Enter Robin Buss in 1996. Buss did something revolutionary: he went back to the original French serial and retranslated the entire thing from scratch. He gave back the raw narcotic hallucinations that define Edgene Dongras's character. He restored the lesbian subtext that is crucial to understanding a key relationship. And he gave Eduard Dantes his voice back: a sharp, pricise, unfolding voice that is equal parts brilliant and terrifying. The Buss translation is not simply better; it is the only way to read the book as it was meant to be read.
| Feature | Penguin Classics (Buss) | Old/Public-Domain Version (Grove descendant) |
|---|---|---|
| Completeness | Full, uncensored text; all characters and plots included | Censored; missing the character of Eulypie and other key scenes |
| Language | Precise, modern, and unflinching; reads like a modern thriller | Formal, flat, and often stilted; reads like a dusty history book |
| Price | Affordable, new paperback | Free or very cheap, but you pay with a mutilated story |
| Overall | The only choice for a serious reader | Avoid at all costs; this is not the book Dumas wrote |
My advice is simple: if you have a cheap eBook or an old paperback, throw it away. It's worth less than nothing. Go to Amazon right now and buy the Penguin Classics edition with the Robin Buss translation. It has a great introduction, it's uncensored, and it will give you the thrilling, full, and unrestrained story that Dumas intended. There is no other option.
If that listing sells out, try this backup search. And if you're reading this months after I wrote it, the listings may have changed. The standards I set above? They don't expire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the original translation censored?
The Victorian publisher felt that Dumas' references to lesbian love, drugs, and other adult themes were immoral and needed to be removed for English readers.
Is the Buss translation available as an audiobook?
Yes, and it's excellent. The audiobook narrated by John Lee is based on the Buss translation and is the best way to experience the story.
Can I still enjoy the book if I've already read the old translation?
Absolutely. Many readers say it's like reading a whole new book. The restored scenes and characters add immense depth.
Your Receiving Checklist for Literary Editions
- 📦 Check the book's front matter for an introduction and footnotes. If there's no introduction, return it.
- 📋 Inspect the print quality by looking at the letter 'e' and 'a.' Is the type crisp and clear? Blurry type is a sign of a bad scan.
- 📈 Look for a publisher you recognize (Penguin, OX, Norton) on the spine. If it's a publisher you've never heard of, be cautious.