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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
adventurous
slow-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:
Complicated
And I thought my love life was complicated. Poor la Valliere.
The romp continues...
You can definitely tell that this was serialized, because it kind of reads like a soap opera. Just as you begin to cheer for one couple, a new couple forms--not just Raoul/Louise to Louise/Louis, but also Aure/Malicorne, Madame/de Guiche -/Buckingham -/Louis, etc., Fouquet/de Belliere (actually what de Belliere does for Fouquet is above and beyond really lovely). And it's not just the fickle affections of the characters themselves but the way the narrative presents them. You might be inclined to feel sorry for one character (Louis Quatorze), and then he gradually does everything possible to make you feel less sorry for him and then actually hate him. And then the narrative snaps back to his perspective for a moment so that you still feel half-sorry for him.
It's the same with the musketeers in the story. They're all still impressive and honorable men, but they've definitely grown apart and they have their own separate intrigues. And depending on who is the focus in each chapter, it's easy to start rooting for one over the other. Porthos doesn't exactly enter into this, since he's everybody's friend, but Aramis is frequently at odds with Athos and D'Artagnan, keeping secrets and edging his way up the ladder. It makes him seem slimy, and I always liked them better anyway, so Aramis is kinda-sorta on my shit list. And I already know how The Man in the Iron Mask plays out, so it's just going to get worse.
But I'm in this till the end, so *sigh*, I'll be reading that soon.
You can definitely tell that this was serialized, because it kind of reads like a soap opera. Just as you begin to cheer for one couple, a new couple forms--not just Raoul/Louise to Louise/Louis, but also Aure/Malicorne, Madame/de Guiche -/Buckingham -/Louis, etc., Fouquet/de Belliere (actually what de Belliere does for Fouquet is above and beyond really lovely). And it's not just the fickle affections of the characters themselves but the way the narrative presents them. You might be inclined to feel sorry for one character (Louis Quatorze), and then he gradually does everything possible to make you feel less sorry for him and then actually hate him. And then the narrative snaps back to his perspective for a moment so that you still feel half-sorry for him.
It's the same with the musketeers in the story. They're all still impressive and honorable men, but they've definitely grown apart and they have their own separate intrigues. And depending on who is the focus in each chapter, it's easy to start rooting for one over the other. Porthos doesn't exactly enter into this, since he's everybody's friend, but Aramis is frequently at odds with Athos and D'Artagnan, keeping secrets and edging his way up the ladder. It makes him seem slimy, and I always liked them better anyway, so Aramis is kinda-sorta on my shit list. And I already know how The Man in the Iron Mask plays out, so it's just going to get worse.
But I'm in this till the end, so *sigh*, I'll be reading that soon.
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.
This 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. The middle volume, Louise de la Valliere, is often called boring which I could see why. It’s primarily a romance and the musketeers are practically nowhere in sight. However, the character development of Louis XIV is engaging in it and it builds to a lot of explosive moments in the final volume (The Man in the Iron Mask). I understand why some might not be able to get through the whole book 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’ve finished this one get onto Man in the Iron Mask asap
This 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. The middle volume, Louise de la Valliere, is often called boring which I could see why. It’s primarily a romance and the musketeers are practically nowhere in sight. However, the character development of Louis XIV is engaging in it and it builds to a lot of explosive moments in the final volume (The Man in the Iron Mask). I understand why some might not be able to get through the whole book 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’ve finished this one get onto Man in the Iron Mask asap
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What a slog. Doesn't have anywhere near enough adventures for a musketeer novel and spends far too long on court intrigue and who said what and who overheard what. Hopefullt the last book in the series will be an improvement
adventurous
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Louise de La Valliere is not a bad story in of itself, but when held up against the rest of the saga, its weaknesses show. Still well written and full of compelling characters, the story focuses mainly on Louis XIV and his burgeoning love affair with the title character, who is a maid of honor for Louis's sister-in-law. The majority of this novel reads a bit like a Shakespearean romantic comedy, with couples coming and going in the woods, and overhearing each other, and all sorts of contrivances to see one another. The scenes were beautifully painted and the characters brought to life, but the story itself just isn't as compelling.
That said, Dumas does not wholesale abandon D'Artagnan, Bragelonne, or the retired Musketeers. They are all becoming wrapped much deeper in intrigue and plans, with Aramis taking a lead that was almost unexpected. The whole story ends on an emotional cliffhanger, leaving the reader with a need to jump straight into The Man in the Iron Mask in order to find out how it all ends.
That said, Dumas does not wholesale abandon D'Artagnan, Bragelonne, or the retired Musketeers. They are all becoming wrapped much deeper in intrigue and plans, with Aramis taking a lead that was almost unexpected. The whole story ends on an emotional cliffhanger, leaving the reader with a need to jump straight into The Man in the Iron Mask in order to find out how it all ends.
Again, I miss my old friends! Although the young generation is cute, and entertainingly dramatic, I miss d'Artagnan, Porthos, Athos and Aramis' banter, plotting and unquestionable friendship. But the ending, again, gives hope for the final installment!
This one was so good. The court intrigues, Aramis's mechinations, and D'Artignan's constant intelligence are captivating. I cannot wait to finish the story in the fifth D'Artignan Romance.