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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
It's hard to rate this as an individual book since it's really just volume 1 of 3, but I love Alexandre Dumas' books too much to give it a less than perfect rating. This book was D'Artagnan and Athos heavy books (my two favourite Musketeers so I'm happy with that), but the mystery of what Porthos and Aramis are up to is hinted at towards the end. And, due to its original serialisation between 1847 and 1850, the Vicomte de Bragelonne has several start-to-finish plots within it - rather than a cohesive narrative. There's the restoration of Charles II, the King vs Mazarin, Fouquet vs Colbert, and d'Artagnan's mission to Belle Isle. Finally, the book focuses on Raoul and introduces the Duke of Buckingham, Malicorne and Manicamp.
I'm looking forward to reading Louise de Valliere soon which I think (hope) will have more Porthos and Aramis in it - hopefully all four together!? I should probably read it soon before I forget the million characters set up in this volume.
I'm looking forward to reading Louise de Valliere soon which I think (hope) will have more Porthos and Aramis in it - hopefully all four together!? I should probably read it soon before I forget the million characters set up in this volume.
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is probably one of my favorite books. I’m writing this review to encompass the entire “Vicomte de Bragelonne” story which is three books and 260 some chapters.
The overall book is an epic. It tells the final stories of the Musketeers, the new adventures of Athos’ son, and the beginnings of Louis XIV reign. All of these stories intertwine and all come together to form one complete narrative. This first volume follows several characters but mainly D’artagnan as he has a scheme to reinstate a monarchy and profit in the process. In the periphery there is Athos completing a royal favor, Louis XIV gaining his first taste of power, and Raul interacting with the next generation of characters. I understand why some might not be able to get through the whole book, as it is three volumes and 1800 some pages, but you have to stick with it and it will all be worth it. This book has suspense, romance, tragedy, betrayal, political intrigue, etc. Essentially everything that you want in a story.
If you’ve read Twenty Years After and are wondering whether you should continue, you must. You’ll be so glad you did. This is a true classic. If you have finished this one move on to Louise de la Valliere.
The overall book is an epic. It tells the final stories of the Musketeers, the new adventures of Athos’ son, and the beginnings of Louis XIV reign. All of these stories intertwine and all come together to form one complete narrative. This first volume follows several characters but mainly D’artagnan as he has a scheme to reinstate a monarchy and profit in the process. In the periphery there is Athos completing a royal favor, Louis XIV gaining his first taste of power, and Raul interacting with the next generation of characters. I understand why some might not be able to get through the whole book, as it is three volumes and 1800 some pages, but you have to stick with it and it will all be worth it. This book has suspense, romance, tragedy, betrayal, political intrigue, etc. Essentially everything that you want in a story.
If you’ve read Twenty Years After and are wondering whether you should continue, you must. You’ll be so glad you did. This is a true classic. If you have finished this one move on to Louise de la Valliere.
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Starts well, with the daring plan to put Charles II on the Throne but then loses its way a bit. Think it suffers from being the first part of a huge novel
This is the third book in the Musketeers Trilogy which is generally split into three volumes for the English translation: The Vicomte de Bragelonne, Louise de la Vallière, and The Man in the Iron Mask. It was pretty average for a Dumas book. He wrote better and he wrote worse. If you liked both The Three Musketeers and Twenty Years After, you'll probably like this too. I think it was actually an improvement on Twenty Years After. Probably worth mentioning is that Dumas makes a huge amount of unexplained references to the first two books in the series, especially in the first third of this book. He makes it very clear that you should have read both The Three Musketeers and Twenty Years After before reading this and that you should remember everything about them. I found this annoying at times because it's been years since I read the others.
adventurous
funny
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I tend to enjoy whatever Dumas writes, with his blend of suspense, adventure and comic interludes. However I can't quite put this book in the same league as "The Three Musketeers" or even "Twenty Years After". The plot was somewhat disjointed, and it was difficult to tell what the main point of the story was. In the second half of the book, the action moved slowly and focussed greatly on peripheral characters i.e. members of the French and English nobility. D'Artagnon made a creditable appearance but the Vicomte de Bragalonne himself played a small role considering that the book was named for this character.
This is the beginning of the third book in the The D'Artagnan Romances.
First is [b:The Three Musketeers|7190|The Three Musketeers (The D'Artagnan Romances, #1)|Alexandre Dumas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1320436982s/7190.jpg|1263212], then [b:Twenty Years After|7184|Twenty Years After (The D'Artagnan Romances #2)|Alexandre Dumas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1165607713s/7184.jpg|666376]. The third book is so long, it is normally broken up into 3 or 4 volumes. The last volume is [b:The Man in the Iron Mask|54499|The Man in the Iron Mask (The D'Artagnan Romances, #3.4)|Alexandre Dumas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1503316348s/54499.jpg|2971402].
[b:The Vicomte de Bragelonne|369042|The Vicomte de Bragelonne (The D'Artagnan Romances, #3.1)|Alexandre Dumas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1174184067s/369042.jpg|21838371] covers 1660, near the beginning of young King Louis XIV reign, includes King Charles II of England regaining his throne, and ends with Cardinal Mazarin dying, a struggle for power in the French government, and King Louis XIV growing into a more decisive ruler.
D'Artagnan is still at the center of this novel and after 35 years of service, he has become disgruntled by un-kept promises by royalty, resigns from his service as a Musketeer, and seeks his own fortune by helping King Charles II regain his throne. (King Charles I was dethroned and beheaded by the people lead by politician Oliver Cromwell. Cromwell's son abdicated the throne leaving parliament ruling England) Porthos and Aramis do not play a large roll in this volume, but Athos does. The Vicomte de Bragelonne is Athos son Raul.
I love the history. I know much about England and Britain's monarchies, but I know very little about French history. Alexandre does a great job weaving history and fiction as always. The story of the Musketters was not as exciting as the two previous novels. It has been observed that this final book is more of a history of King Louis XIV than a story of the Musketeers but I don't mind. I still love it. Alexandre Dumas is a favorite.
I am reading the 4 volume version. The next volumes are [b:Ten Years Later|70032|Ten Years Later (The D'Artagnan Romances, #3.2)|Alexandre Dumas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348889346s/70032.jpg|56614681], [b:Louise de La Vallière|937643|Louise de La Vallière (The D'Artagnan Romances, #3.3)|Alexandre Dumas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1179623535s/937643.jpg|16183198], and [b:The Man in the Iron Mask|54499|The Man in the Iron Mask (The D'Artagnan Romances, #3.4)|Alexandre Dumas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1503316348s/54499.jpg|2971402].
First is [b:The Three Musketeers|7190|The Three Musketeers (The D'Artagnan Romances, #1)|Alexandre Dumas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1320436982s/7190.jpg|1263212], then [b:Twenty Years After|7184|Twenty Years After (The D'Artagnan Romances #2)|Alexandre Dumas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1165607713s/7184.jpg|666376]. The third book is so long, it is normally broken up into 3 or 4 volumes. The last volume is [b:The Man in the Iron Mask|54499|The Man in the Iron Mask (The D'Artagnan Romances, #3.4)|Alexandre Dumas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1503316348s/54499.jpg|2971402].
[b:The Vicomte de Bragelonne|369042|The Vicomte de Bragelonne (The D'Artagnan Romances, #3.1)|Alexandre Dumas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1174184067s/369042.jpg|21838371] covers 1660, near the beginning of young King Louis XIV reign, includes King Charles II of England regaining his throne, and ends with Cardinal Mazarin dying, a struggle for power in the French government, and King Louis XIV growing into a more decisive ruler.
D'Artagnan is still at the center of this novel and after 35 years of service, he has become disgruntled by un-kept promises by royalty, resigns from his service as a Musketeer, and seeks his own fortune by helping King Charles II regain his throne. (King Charles I was dethroned and beheaded by the people lead by politician Oliver Cromwell. Cromwell's son abdicated the throne leaving parliament ruling England) Porthos and Aramis do not play a large roll in this volume, but Athos does. The Vicomte de Bragelonne is Athos son Raul.
I love the history. I know much about England and Britain's monarchies, but I know very little about French history. Alexandre does a great job weaving history and fiction as always. The story of the Musketters was not as exciting as the two previous novels. It has been observed that this final book is more of a history of King Louis XIV than a story of the Musketeers but I don't mind. I still love it. Alexandre Dumas is a favorite.
I am reading the 4 volume version. The next volumes are [b:Ten Years Later|70032|Ten Years Later (The D'Artagnan Romances, #3.2)|Alexandre Dumas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348889346s/70032.jpg|56614681], [b:Louise de La Vallière|937643|Louise de La Vallière (The D'Artagnan Romances, #3.3)|Alexandre Dumas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1179623535s/937643.jpg|16183198], and [b:The Man in the Iron Mask|54499|The Man in the Iron Mask (The D'Artagnan Romances, #3.4)|Alexandre Dumas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1503316348s/54499.jpg|2971402].