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Summary: why you should order THIS edition!
Review: David Coward's commentary, the annotations and character listings that are included in the (Oxford) World Classics editions of Dumas' novels improve both understanding and enjoyment. I am reordering this Dumas book simply because I want THIS edition - after reading the Vicomte de B., & Louise de la V. in the Oxford editions, the other publishers edition of the Man in the Iron Mask I bought was a dog in comparison! The original American 19th century translation is more entertaining too!
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Summary: Don't believe the hype, err, I mean, the movie.
Review: Unfortunately, in our society it often takes mass marketing and a popular icon (preferably from Hollywood or TV) to awaken our collective consciousness to a certain subject. Such is the case with Dumas' Man in the Iron Mask. I deliberately steered clear of the version depicting the movie's actors (DiCaprio et al.) on the cover. When reading a book, I strongly dislike anyone other than the author creating my images for me. From what I'm told (I have yet to see the movie), the book and the movie are quite different. The movie introduces us to a masked prisoner from the onset, whereas the book makes no mention of an iron "mask" or "visor" until page 253 (Tor's unabridged paperback edition). On the contrary, "Phillipe" was the most highly regarded prisoner in the Bastille (I know that sounds like a contradiction in terms, but its not--he often dined on pheasant and truffles, and commanded a high annual maintenance fee for the governor of! the Bastille, Baisemeaux. He was not masked, or even shackled while a prisoner of the Bastille. Leather armchairs and velvet adorn his "accomodations." His "mask"-ing does not come until later, and with no small degree of drama). Therefore, those interested in the book may easily be misled. That's because The Man in the Iron Mask represents the last third of a much larger novel known as The Vicomte de Bragellone (a.k.a. Raoul, Athos' son). For all we know, Dumas had no intention of splitting up his work in the way that it has been. To simply open up to page one of The Man in the Iron Mask is analogous to opening up to page 600 in War and Peace. One cannot expect to know what happened in the previous 599 pages. The same holds for Man in the Iron Mask. It is simply impossible (in the absence of clairvoyance) to know what is going on without having read the previous installments. For individuals who saw the movie, enjoyed it, and have similar expecta! tions for the book, I strongly suggest that you leave that ! baggage at the door, or I should say, at Dumas' introduction to the Three Musketeers (where this incomparable saga begins), and commence the literary adventure of a lifetime. The movie is simply a Hollywood contrivance based loosely around Dumas' novel. The sequence of the novels is as follows: (1) The Three Musketeers (2) Twenty Years After (3) The Vicomte de Bragellone (which is usually divided into three volumes--Vicomte de Bragellone, Louise de la Valliere, and finally, The Man in the Iron Mask). 5 books in all. Despite some unfortuante twists and turns, I have never enjoyed a series of books more than I have these (Lord of the Rings ranks a distant second). They get the highest possible recomendation. For those who have any appreciation for history, I strongly recommend the World Classics editions edited by David Coward. He painstakingly alerts the reader to historical accuracies and inaccuracies. He also explains certain things (i.e., historic! al characters, 17th century currency) that wouldn't, to the average reader, make sense.
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Summary: Dumas threw us a soft ball with the closure of this series.
Review: As I think of this book it seems to me that Dumas may have changed his mind in the direction the story would take part way through writing the novel. I enjoyed the initial plot and throughout the rest of the book, I was waiting for the thread of that initial plot to be picked up and the tapestry completed. The way the book concluded didn't seem particularly inspired. The previous books were much better.
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Summary: Miss titled
Review: After reading the book I found myself woundering if it wasn't miss titled. Over the last half of the book has nothing to do with the 2 brothers as mucha s it does the fall of the Musketeers. Dumas brings closure to the story of his heroes rather well. I just had a little problem reading it because of it being translated in to a higher english than I am use to.
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Summary: This book is King of all classics!- Jimmy D.
Review: This book is a real non stop book that never cheats the reader. The book is about to children seperated at birth, both with royal backgrounds. I want you to read it for your self so I'm not going to tell you about any of the swashbuckling scenes, or the dark emotional romances, or the dark secrets that France was never supposed to know... I do preffer the new 1998 version with Leonardo Dicaprio, and John Malckovich on the cover. Read it!
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Summary: Only time could stop them
Review: I won't lie. When I first read this book I felt terribly cheated. I had followed the adventures of the Four Musketeers for months. And then, Dumas reminded me that they could trick Richelieu and Mazarin, but they couldn't outsmart Louis XIV nor time. Know something? I loved it! This book isn't as fast-paced as the previous stories. It has lots more intrigue and romantic tension, since it's centered around Raoul de Bragelonne (Athos' son) and, as D'Artagnan says, the youngsters of Louis XIV's court aren't what they used to be. Neither the musketeers! Athos has become quieter, Aramis more mysterious, Porhos more innocent and D'Artagnan is tired of devoting his life to persons that forget him once they're powerful. Their final fight against time makes this a great book, even if during the final chapters I cried a lot. Any Musketeer lover would. Finally, and for moviegoers, my advice: don't even try to compare the movie to this book. It's completely different, though the musketeers are nicely portrayed on it, and shouldn't be compared. Alternate realities, anyone?
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Summary: After reading this book I'm hooked on Dumas
Review: I admit, I read this book because I saw the movie and wanted to expand my knowledge of the plot. Don't be fooled by the title. The character in the iron mask is merely a subplot. In fact, The Man in the Iron Mask was not the original title for this book. However, it was magnificintly wonderful. I couldn't put it down. It is filled with adventure, romance, and the undying friendship between Athos, Porthos, Aramis and D'Artagnan. I also admit to shedding a tear at the end. This is a wonderful book and I recommend it to anyone who loves adventure with a little history mixed in. If you saw the movie, don't be fooled. The book and the film are nothing alike. Thank goodness for literary genuises like Dumas.
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Summary: Exciting world of old romance
Review: I too read this in preperation of the movie release but only got past the first few chapters. So, I liked the movie it was fun and sad at the same trime. When my classes ended freeing me up to do personal reading I picked it up, and could not put it down. I loved the relationship with the musketeers. It was a fitting end to Dumas's on goiong series. P.S. The movie was nothing like the book, as is often the case, Read this!!!
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Summary: A great adventure story...
Review: I found this book to be exciting. It was always interesting, once I was started in on it I couldn't put it down. I just wanted to keep going and to find out what happened to D'Artagnan or Aramis next. I thouhgt how the friendships of each of the musketeers was portaid great. There wasn't much to complain about, this story was really good!!
Rating: 
Summary: Don't waste your time.
Review: I don't see why anyone would like this book. The Man in the Iron Mask is only in the beginning, and then it's a history lesson. Why did Dumas call it "Man in the Iron Mask" when that situation was only for less then half the book. If you think this is just a whole book on the situation "Man in the Iron Mask" then don't read it. Becasue that situation is only at the beginning, then Dumas gives a history class. Though if you want to see the movie, see it. It may have not gotten good reviews, but heck it's better then the book.
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