Edmond Dantes, a nineteen-year-old sailor from Marseilles, is soon to be captain of his own ship and to marry his beloved, the beautiful Mercedes. But spiteful enemies provoke his arrest on his wedding day, and he is condemned to life in prison. His sole companion is the "crazy" priest Faria, who shares with Edmond a secret escape plan, and a map to hidden riches on the island of Monte Cristo. Edmond escapes, becomes fabulously wealthy and begins to plot his revenge… One of the most widely read books of all time, The Count of Monte Cristo is concerned with themes of hope, justice, vengeance, mercy, forgiveness and death, told in the style of a thrilling adventure tale.