The count of Monte Cristo brought back my love of reading

I have been struggling to keep my attention on a book lately and would often find myself scrolling on my phone.

I read the 1400 pages of the count of Monte Cristo in a week and I did not have to force myself to pay attention once. I would've never thought a story about early 19th century French aristocracy would capture me so much but I was hooked from page 1. The characters, dilemmas and moral questions that play out in the book are very relevant today also.

There are a few questions I have after finishing the book:

Why was it necessary to tell the story of the bandit leader before Luigi Vampa who kidnapped and raped that girl?

Why do ladies faint to much in this book? I feel like all the female characters faint at least once.

Why was Danglars's punishment so minor compared to the others? He was made out to be evil and I think he will just continue his wrongdoings without remorse.

Was it normal back in the time the book is set for older guys to marry girls so much younger than themselves? The age gap and the fact that Dantes bought Haydee as a slave when she was a child is really weird.

Why were both sons of Villefort so bratty? Édouard dies but I think if he lived he would've been just as crooked and evil as Benedetto.

I know there are thousands of posts about this book but I've not really seen these questions discussed. And here's one more post to prove the book is really that good