The Count of Monte Cristo ( French: Le Comte de Monte Cristo ) is an adventure novel by French author Alexandre Dumas. Completed in 1844, it is one of the author's most popular works, along with The Three Musketeers. Like many of his novels, it is expanded from plot outlines suggested by his co-author Auguste Maquet. 

The story takes place in France, Italy, islands in the Mediterranean, and in the Levant during the historical events of 1815-1838. It begins from just before the Hundred Days period, when Napoleon returned to power after his exile , and goes through to the time of Louis Philippe of France. The historical setting is a fundamental element of the book. It is an adventure story primarily concerned with themes of hope, justice, revenge , mercy and forgiveness, and is told in the style of an adventure story. It focuses on a man who is wrongfully imprisoned, escapes from prison, gains a fortune and sets about getting revenge on those responsible for his imprisonment. However, his plans have terrible consequences for the innocent as well as the guilty. 

Dumas got the idea for The Count of Monte Cristo from a true story, which he found in a memoir written by a man named Jacques Peuchet. Peuchet related the story of a shoemaker named Pierre Picaud, who was living in Paris in 1807. Picaud was engaged to a rich woman, but four envious friends falsely accused him of being a spy for England. He was imprisoned for seven years. During his imprisonment a fellow prisoner told him a treasure hidden in Milan. When Picaud was released in 1814, he took possession of the treasure, returned under another name to Paris and spent ten years plotting his successful revenge. 

The book is considered a literary classic today. According to Luc Sante, " The Count of Monte Cristo has become a fixture of western civilization's literature, as inescapable and immediately identifiable as Mickey Mouse, Noah's flood, and the story of Little Red Riding Hood. " QUESTIONS:

Q1:
1. What novel does the article discuss?
2. What book is the main focus of the article?
3. Which work of fiction is the article centered around?
Q2:
1. Is The Count of Monte Cristo completely invented or based on a true story?
2. Does The Count of Monte Cristo have basis in real life events, or is it completely made up?
3. Did the author of The Count of Monte Cristo make the story up entirely or did he base it on real life events?
Q3:
1. What is the setting of The Count of Monte Cristo?
2. Where does The Count of Monte Cristo take place?
3. Where does the story of The Count of Monte Cristo happen?
Q4:
1. What is Jacques Peachet known for?
2. What did Jaques Peachet do?
3. 
Q5:
1. What does Luc Sante say about The Count of Monte Cristo?
2. What is Luc Sante's opinion of The Count of Monte Cristo?
3. How does Luc Sante feel about The Count of Monte Cristo?
Q6:
1. How is Pierre Picaud employed?
2. What is the occupation of Pierre Picaud?
3. What does Pierre Picaud do for a living?
Q7:
1. How many years did Pierre Picaud spend in jail?
2. How long was Pierre Picaud imprisoned for?
3. What was the number of years that Pierre Picaud spent behind bars?
Q8:
1. How many friends lied about Pierre Picaud?
2. What was the number of friends that concealed the truth about Pierre Picaud?
3. How many of Pierre Picaud's friends told lies about him?
Q9:
1. What was the location of the concealed treasure?
2. What city contained the hidden treasure?
3. In what city was treasure hiding?
Q10:
1. When was Pierre Picaud freed from prison?
2. In what year did Pierre Picaud get out of prison?
3. What was the year when Pierre Picaud was liberated from imprisonment?
