Italy: Sinbad the Sailor (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 31 – Part 2)

Franz’s hunting trip to Pianosa in The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 31, leaves him irritated and empty-handed—until the captain points toward a solitary island rising from the indigo Mediterranean. Monte Cristo, uninhabited and rocky, promises wild goats, grottos for shelter, and the strange allure of a “desert island” in the middle of the sea. With time to spare before Rome, Franz agrees to land there, intrigued by the isolation and the captain’s assurances that no permit is needed. Yet the sailors’ hushed exchange and the captain’s final remark—that the island is classed as an infected port—cast an uneasy shadow over this impulsive detour.   New to the journey? Start from the beginning at: http://countdownofmontecristo.com Want to talk theories, themes, or betrayals? Join the conversation on our Discord: https://discord.gg/Sg2prdm Support the project on Patreon and receive full-length, story-only audio after each chapter: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or follow along on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf3vyewhvQugX5M3oREl57A   The Countdown of Monte Cristo is a daily podcast reading one page at a time from Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel — every day, for four years. Whether you’re starting from the beginning or joining mid-journey, each episode brings you deeper into the story of The Count of Monte Cristo.