CostasNarrativeXP

CostasNarrativeXP end of the year featureAlexandre Dumas "The Count of Monte Cristo"Plot outline by Auguste MaquetA sweeping tale of betrayal, vengeance, and redemption, following Edmond Dantès as he transforms from wronged sailor to cunning, resourceful Monte Cristo.Volume V Chapter 96-117 Finale00:30 96 At Danglars’s contract signing Monte Cristo reveals a newly found waistcoat letter tying Andrea to Caderousse. Police arrive to arrest Andrea as an escaped convict for murder, but he has already fled elsewhere.24:30 97 Eugénie and Louise immediately enact their escape plan, disguise Eugénie as Louise’s brother, use the passport and theater letters Monte Cristo provided, pack their trunk, and leave for Italy through Brussels.38:33 98 Andrea steals the wedding jewels, flees by cab and horse, hides in an inn chimney, drops into Eugénie and Louise’s room, is caught by police, and the exposed women depart for Brussels amid attention.1:05:37 99 Madame Danglars seeks help from Debray, then Villefort. She asks Villefort to let Andrea escape to avoid scandal, but he refuses. He has bigger worries at home, and Andrea has already been caught.100 Recovering, Valentine sees Monte Cristo, who reveals watching her for nights, substituting poison for healthy drinks. He gives her red liquid, telling her to feign sleep when the killer soon to be revealed arrives after midnight.101 Pretending sleep, Valentine saw her stepmother poison her drink. Monte Cristo returned, promising a safety plan. He gave her a drug, emptied some poison to fake consumption, and left through a secret door.102 Madame de Villefort confirms Valentine's death and disposes of the poison. Monte Cristo secretly replaced it, which Dr. d'Avrigny identified, causing the killer to collapse as servants fled.2:10:41 103 Noirtier warns Maximilien, who finds Valentine dead. He carries Noirtier to her side. Maximilien, d'Avrigny, and Noirtier compel Villefort to swear vengeance, giving him three days.104 While Valentine is prepared for burial, Villefort obsesses over Benedetto. Monte Cristo takes five million francs from Danglars, forcing the banker to gather cash, burn papers, and flee his creditors.105 Monte Cristo follows a suicidal Maximilien, revealing he is Edmond Dantès. The Count stops him by promising happiness and requires him to live with him for one month.3:23:51 106 Debray finalizes Madame Danglars's secret wealth, contrasting her greed with the poverty of Mercédès and Albert. Albert enlists and sends his mother to Marseille.107 Andrea, imprisoned in La Force, hopes Monte Cristo will save him. When Bertuccio visits, Andrea suggests Monte Cristo is his father. Bertuccio promises to return tomorrow with the real name.4:16:39 108 Villefort prepares for Benedetto's trial while Noirtier finds peace. Villefort confronts his wife, Mme de Villefort, about the four deaths she caused and demands she use her saved poison on herself before he returns.109 Andrea's sensational trial draws a crowd. Socialites Beauchamp, Château-Renaud, and Debray exchange rumors, with Debray suggesting young Edward is the poisoner in the Villefort deaths.110 Andrea, calm, admits being a criminal but refuses his name. When he declares Villefort is his father, the chaos ends with Villefort acknowledging the truth and staggering out, forcing a trial postponement.5:10:03 111 Regretting his demand, Villefort finds his wife and son, Edouard, dead by poison. Monte Cristo reveals his identity (Edmond Dantès), but is horrified that his vengeance resulted in the boy's death.112 Maximilien and Monte Cristo discuss the fallen before leaving Paris. In Marseille, Count visits Mercédès, revealing his vengeful methods. She expresses regret over marrying Fernand and wishes only for Albert's happiness.6:04:38 113 Revisiting Château d’If, the Count relives his suffering, finds Faria’s manuscript as divine approval of his vengeance, then urges despairing Maximilien to wait until October 5 on Monte Cristo island for happiness.114 Danglars withdraws five million, is shadowed by Peppino, kidnapped by Vampa’s bandits, and locked in the catacombs, still believing his remaining fortune will easily buy his freedom.6:59:07 115 Starving Danglars waits for ransom demands; Peppino offers meals at extortionate prices. A chicken costs heavy. Outraged, Danglars bargains in vain and finally agrees, paying a fortune for every bite while imprisoned.116 Danglars pays a fortune for every meal until only a fraction remain. Starving, he repents. Monte Cristo reveals himself as Edmond Dantès, forgives him, orders food, and frees him with the last 50,000 francs.117 On Monte Cristo island, Maximilien swallows the green elixir, “dies,” awakens to find Valentine alive. Monte Cristo gifts them his fortune, sails away with Haydée, leaving the famous last words: “wait and hope!”Main Characters of Volume VEdmond 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 WordbookFricassee - fr, a dish of stewed or fried pieces of meat served in a thick white sauce (Fric ca see)Che cosa? - ita, What?Harpagon - a miser, a greedy and stingy person, due to the character from Molière's play L'Avare (The Miser)Piecemeal adv adj characterized by unsystematic partial measures taken over a period of timeUsury n the action or practice of lending money at unreasonably high rates of interes (U sher ry)Calypso…Telemachus - reference is to Homer’s Odyssey: When Odysseus is shipwrecked and washed up naked and half-dead on the island of the nymph Calypso, she takes him in. Telemachus is Odysseus’ son in Homer’s OdysseyCaryatids - sculpted female figures used as architectural supports in place of columns.The most famous examples stand on the porch of the Erechtheion temple on the Acropolis in AthensUnctuous adj (of a mineral) having a greasy or soapy feelFelucca n a small boat propelled by oars or lateen sails or both, used on the Nile and formerly more widely in the Mediterranean regionComplete FeaturesSongs 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 ExpectationsMilestone2021: 0 Full soundtrack, no editing, wife commentary, summary outline, irregular release2022: 2.0 DaVinci editing, wordbook, book intro, AI host + illustration, chapter summary, scheduled release2023: 2.1 Descript, CapCut, Suno score, character intro, weekly release2024: 2.2 Standard condenser mic, Audacity, ChatGPT annotation + illustration, timestamp, 1-hour contentPatreon: costasaudiobookPodcast: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Reddit, Amazon Music, Firstory, Pocket Casts, KKBOX, Noice, Podcast Addict, SoundOnPowered by Firstory Hosting

CostasNarrativeXP end of the year featureAlexandre Dumas "The Count of Monte Cristo"Plot outline by Auguste MaquetA sweeping tale of betrayal, vengeance, and redemption, following Edmond Dantès as he transforms from wronged sailor to cunning, resourceful Monte Cristo.Volume V Chapter 113-11400:30 113 Revisiting Château d’If, the Count relives his suffering, finds Faria’s manuscript as divine approval of his vengeance, then urges despairing Maximilien to wait until October 5 on Monte Cristo island for happiness.29:49 114 Danglars withdraws five million, is shadowed by Peppino, kidnapped by Vampa’s bandits, and locked in the catacombs, still believing his remaining fortune will easily buy his freedom.Main Characters of Volume VEdmond 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 WordbookAutumnal adj of, characteristic of, or occurring in autumn (aw Tum nal)Mirabeau - Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, Comte de Mirabeau (1749–1791), a famed French orator, writer, and central figure of the early French Revolution; died suddenly in 1791 at the height of his influence. Because he was a deeply controversial political figure, admired as the "Tribune of the People" but distrusted for secretly consulting with the King, his sudden death at age 42 led many to believe he had been poisoned by his political rivals, rather than dying from natural causesVacillating adj wavering between different opinions or actions, irresolute (Va cil lating)Eurus - a figure in Greek mythology who personifies the East Wind, often associated with bad omens, storms, and bringing warm, dry air and rain (or sometimes blight). Unlike the cold North Wind (Boreas) or gentle West Wind (Zephyrus), Eurus is often depicted as unsettling and violentAllegro! Moderato! - ita, Fast!, Slow!Marius and Gracch - ita, Gaius Marius, the great Roman general and seven-time consul who rose from plebeian origins and championed the common people; Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus, two famous 2nd-century BCE tribunes who fought for land reform for the poor and were both assassinated by the Senate; they are ultimate symbols of ancient Rome’s populist heroes, the champions of the little guy against the aristocracyMorra - ita, traditional Italian hand game: Two players simultaneously throw out fingers while shouting a guess at the total number of fingers shown. Fast, loud, and usually played for small bets — very common among working-class Italians in the 19th centuryFacchini - ita, porters / baggage carriers / general labourersOrvieto - ita, famous white wine from the town of Orvieto in Umbria, central Italy. In 1840s Rome it was the classic cheap, everyday table wine that ordinary Romans, porters, coachmen, and bandits drank by the bottle or flask. Slightly sweet, low-alcohol, straw-coloured, sold in wicker-covered fiasco bottles.Non capisco - ita, i do not understandmio caro? - ita, my dear?Dentro la testa! - ita, inside the head! (put your head inside)Scendi! - ita, come down!Di quà - ita, over hereAvanti! - ita, go ahead!Plutarch - (c. 46 – after 119 AD) was a Greek-Roman philosopher, biographer, and essayist; famous for one single work that has never stopped being read for 2,000 years: Parallel LivesEcco! - ita, Here! (here you are)Complete FeaturesSongs 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 ExpectationsMilestone2021: 0 Full soundtrack, no editing, wife commentary, summary outline, irregular release2022: 2.0 DaVinci editing, wordbook, book intro, AI host + illustration, chapter summary, scheduled release2023: 2.1 Descript, CapCut, Suno score, character intro, weekly release2024: 2.2 Standard condenser mic, Audacity, ChatGPT annotation + illustration, timestamp, 1-hour contentPatreon: costasaudiobookPodcast: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Reddit, Amazon Music, Firstory, Pocket Casts, KKBOX, Noice, Podcast Addict, SoundOnPowered by Firstory Hosting

Show your feedback: https://open.firstory.me/user/cln9oxg7r007d01xyhd0fadj5/commentsCostasNarrativeXP end of the year featureAlexandre Dumas "The Count of Monte Cristo"Plot outline by Auguste MaquetA sweeping tale of betrayal, vengeance, and redemption, following Edmond Dantès as he transforms from wronged sailor to cunning, resourceful Monte Cristo.Volume V Chapter 111,11200:30 111 Regretting his demand, Villefort finds his wife and son, Edouard, dead by poison. Monte Cristo reveals his identity (Edmond Dantès), but is horrified that his vengeance resulted in the boy's death.21:00 112 Maximilien and Monte Cristo discuss the fallen before leaving Paris. In Marseille, The latter visits Mercédès, revealing his vengeful methods. She expresses regret over marrying Fernand and wishes only for Albert's happiness.Main Characters of Volume VEdmond 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 WordbookGarb of Nessus - a poisoned garment from Greek mythology that led to the death of the hero HeraclesAjax the Great - a major figure in Homer's Iliad, known for his immense strength, courage, and size, second only to Achilles among the Greek heroesPerrault - Charles Perrault, a 17th-century French author famous for establishing the literary genre of the fairy talePuget - Pierre Paul Puget (~1620 -1694) was a French Baroque painter, sculptor, architect and engineer. His sculpture expressed emotion, pathos and drama, setting it apart from the more classical and academic sculpture of the Style Louis XIVSupine adj failing to act or protest as a result of moral weakness or indolence (Sew pyne)Complete FeaturesSongs 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 ExpectationsMilestone2021: 0 Full soundtrack, no editing, wife commentary, summary outline, irregular release2022: 2.0 DaVinci editing, wordbook, book intro, AI host + illustration, chapter summary, scheduled release2023: 2.1 Descript, CapCut, Suno score, character intro, weekly release2024: 2.2 Standard condenser mic, Audacity, ChatGPT annotation + illustration, timestamp, 1-hour contentPatreon: costasaudiobookPodcast: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Reddit, Amazon Music, Firstory, Pocket Casts, KKBOX, Noice, Podcast Addict, SoundOnPowered by Firstory Hosting

Show your feedback: https://open.firstory.me/user/cln9oxg7r007d01xyhd0fadj5/commentsCostasNarrativeXP end of the year featureAlexandre Dumas "The Count of Monte Cristo"Plot outline by Auguste MaquetA sweeping tale of betrayal, vengeance, and redemption, following Edmond Dantès as he transforms from wronged sailor to cunning, resourceful Monte Cristo.Volume V Chapter 108-11000:30 108 Villefort prepares for Benedetto's trial while Noirtier finds peace. Villefort confronts his wife, Mme de Villefort, about the four deaths she caused and demands she use her saved poison on herself before he returns.23:32 109 Andrea's sensational trial draws a crowd. Socialites Beauchamp, Château-Renaud, and Debray exchange rumors, with Debray suggesting young Edward is the poisoner in the Villefort deaths.36:55 110 Andrea, calm, admits being a criminal but refuses his name. When he declares Villefort is his father, the chaos ends with Villefort acknowledging the truth and staggering out, forcing a trial postponement.Main Characters of Volume VEdmond 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 WordbookTarquin - lat, Tarquinius Superbus (Tarquin the Proud), the legendary last king of Rome. Tarquin's son, Sextus, sent a messenger to his father asking what he should do to gain control of the city of Gabii. Tarquin gave the messenger no verbal reply. Instead, he went into his garden and used his cane to lop off the heads of the tallest poppies he could find.Vociferate v shout, complain, or argue loudly or vehemently (voh Sif fer rate)Deuce n inf. used as a euphemism for ‘devil’ in expressions of annoyance, impatience, surpriseDante…Divina Commedia - ita, the great Italian poet Dante Alighieri, his most famous work, the Divine ComedPhlegmatically adv to do something in a calm, unemotional, or stolid way that is not easily excited or upsetPhrenological adj dated. the study of the size and shape of the skull in order to find out about a person's character or abilities (fren no Logical)Saint-Simon - fr, Louis de Rouvroy, duc de Saint-Simon (1675–1755), a famous French nobleman, soldier, and courtier. He is renowned for his extensive and detailed Mémoires, which offer a sharp, insider's view of the court of King Louis XIV at VersaillesBlaspheme v speak irreverently about God or sacred things (blas Pheem)Complete FeaturesSongs 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 ExpectationsMilestone2021: 0 Full soundtrack, no editing, wife commentary, summary outline, irregular release2022: 2.0 DaVinci editing, wordbook, book intro, AI host + illustration, chapter summary, scheduled release2023: 2.1 Descript, CapCut, Suno score, character intro, weekly release2024: 2.2 Standard condenser mic, Audacity, ChatGPT annotation + illustration, timestamp, 1-hour contentPatreon: costasaudiobookPodcast: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Reddit, Amazon Music, Firstory, Pocket Casts, KKBOX, Noice, Podcast Addict, SoundOnPowered by Firstory Hosting

Show your feedback: https://open.firstory.me/user/cln9oxg7r007d01xyhd0fadj5/commentsCostasNarrativeXP end of the year featureAlexandre Dumas "The Count of Monte Cristo"Plot outline by Auguste MaquetA sweeping tale of betrayal, vengeance, and redemption, following Edmond Dantès as he transforms from wronged sailor to cunning, resourceful Monte Cristo.Volume V Chapter 106-10700:30 106 Debray finalizes Madame Danglars's secret wealth, contrasting her greed with the poverty of Mercédès and Albert. Albert enlists and sends his mother to Marseille.35:30 107 Andrea, imprisoned in La Force, hopes Monte Cristo will save him. When Bertuccio visits, Andrea suggests Monte Cristo is his father. Bertuccio promises to return tomorrow with the real name.Main Characters of Volume VEdmond 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 WordbookAsmodeus, Le Sage - Alain-René Le Sage (1668–1747), a French novelist and playwright, created Asmodeus in the novel Le Diable boiteux (The Lame Devil), a demon or devil, often associated with luxury, lust, gambling, and deceitPallet n a straw mattress; makeshift bedLamoricière, Changarnier, Bedeau - famous French generals and military figures who were highly prominent in 1830-40sLa Force - fr, a large, notorious prison located in central Paris, operating from the late 18th to mid-19th c.Big bug n A prominent or significant personLa savate - fr, worn shoe; though in prison talk, to beat one with an old heavy shoe, a violent actAnguille - fr, eel; prison talk, long, flexible, and whipping motion of the makeshift weapon used as a flailPincette - fr, pincers; French parlor game, one person hides an object, the others search. The searchers are guided by clues using the metaphor of heat to indicate proximityRacine - fr, Jean Racine (1639–1699) was one of the most celebrated and significant playwrights of the 17th-century French classical period;Monsieur Pixérécourt - fr, René-Charles Guilbert de Pixérécourt (1773–1844) was a highly popular and prolific playwright who specialized in melodrama during the late 18th and early 19th centuriesPygmy n derog. a person who is insignificant or lacks ability in a particular respectComplete FeaturesSongs 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 ExpectationsMilestone2021: 0 Full soundtrack, no editing, wife commentary, summary outline, irregular release2022: 2.0 DaVinci editing, wordbook, book intro, AI host + illustration, chapter summary, scheduled release2023: 2.1 Descript, CapCut, Suno score, character intro, weekly release2024: 2.2 Standard condenser mic, Audacity, ChatGPT annotation + illustration, timestamp, 1-hour contentPatreon: costasaudiobookPodcast: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Reddit, Amazon Music, Firstory, Pocket Casts, KKBOX, Noice, Podcast Addict, SoundOnPowered by Firstory Hosting