The Count of Monte Cristo was published in serial form. Daily from 1844 to 1846.

That explains a lot the format, which tended to try to retain the audience.

Also, the author wrote in advance of the daily publication, but the book was written "live", answering to public perception and response. This is a reason why the book is so "good": the author had the chance to adjust the story based on data from sales and feedback from readers.

Of course Dumas was a great writer too, but this live writing, data based is probably why the book resonates so well with audiences.

So, as a joke, if you read count of monte cristo in 3 weeks, you did the equivalent of bing reading it.

This happens with soap operas too. 10 years ago, they lasted 1 year. They had an initial structure, the story, the characters, but responded in "real-time" to audience feedback.

For those willing to read the book, give yourself some time. Try to read it over a course of some years. Read a little, come back to it.

There are several famous books written in the same form, like Crime and Punishment or The Three Musketeers.

Oh, and also authors got payed by installment, so that explains the lenght lol