The reader is drawn into the world and life (painful and devastating as it is for him) of Edmond Dantes - a poor seaman. The kind seaman happens to be promoted by his benevolent Master, which arouses some jealousness among his colleagues. Also, he is to marry a woman of undiminishing beauty. The two men (one, who wants the woman; the other, who wants the position) unite and plan to rid themselves of the innocent Dantes. It so happens, that they succeed, and he is forced to Chateau D'if.
Through this fast-paced book, the reader observes Dantes who instead of becoming Captain of a poor ship, becomes a Count. He adopts the name Count of Monte Cristo and seeks not the pleasures of life, but revenge. Revenge against those who had gravely betrayed him 13 years before.
And in the end, ... Well, if I told you - there wouldn't be a point to reading the book, would there? You will enjoy this witful book, by the genious of the 19th century, Alexandre Dumas, without a doubt.