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Welcome to the discussion for The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas.
Today we are discussing chapter 13 The Hundred Days, 14 The Two Prisoners, 15 Number 34 and Number 27. For a detailed chapter summary, please see LitCharts (beware of spoilers!)
This Friday, May 5th, we will discuss the next three chapters: 16 A Learned Italian, 17 The Abbe's Chamber, 18 The Treasure. Please check out the schedule here
Spoiler disclaimer: Be mindful of only discussing what chapters we have read thus far. If you feel the need to discuss something outside of what was read please use spoiler tags or head on over to the Marginalia. We have a strict spoiler policy here at r/bookclub. Please check out our rules at this post.
And for those who need some Napoleon context, I have copied a paragraph with some historical context that u/zemastor very helpfully provided:
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France had a Revolution in 1789 that overthrew the King.
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France became a Republic, but an unstable one, and suffered through the Reign of Terror when extremists took power within the Republic.
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Once Robespierre was executed and the Terror ended, the Republic was still in rather weak hands.
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A talented and ambitious Army officer, Napoleon pulled a coup in 1799 and made himself First Consul. He was very popular and had the support of the army AND the masses.
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Napoleon declared himself Emperor in 1804. He spent a lot of time and resources in various wars to expand the French Empire and almost ruled the entire continent of Europe, but his disastrous invasion of Russia put a stop to his ambitions (1812-1814)
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England, Russia, Prussia and Austria forced Napoleon to abdicate and sent him into exile to Elba. The monarchy in France was restored, with King Louis XVIII (1814).
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But Napoleon was still very popular, so there was a lot of worry among the Royals that Napoleon might escape and return to France and take power again.
It's early 1815! This is why his supporters, like Morrel, have to whisper about Napoleon. He doesn't want to make to too obvious about which side he supports. And our dear Edmond, being 19, doesn't quite understand the risks involved in delivering, or receiving any letters to/from Elba!