The Man in the Iron Mask

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Summary: The end of a trilogy
Review: The Man in the Iron Mask is not actually a book -- it is the last volume of a very large book entitled Le Vicomte du Bragalonne or Ten Years After. Le Vicomte is divided into three parts, typically called "Le Vicomte du Bragalonne," "Louise de la Valliere", and of course, "The Man in the Iron Mask."

Thus, if you read only this book, don't be surprised that it sometimes seems you are catching only the end of a conversation.

The larger work, Le Vicomte, is named after Athos's son, and it follows the young vicomte through his life and love -- taking large detours to a young Louis the XIV's court. Our heroic musketeers, Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and d'Artagnan make only small appearances throughout, but these scenes are the most memorable of the musketeers series.

The Man in the Iron Mask brings our four fast friends together again, for one last adventure. This time, though, they are at odds with one another, divided by their own key character traits.

I have personally seen several movie versions of the Man in the Iron Mask, and I have never seen one I liked. Skip the movies -- read the book. And if you find yourself entranced, go get the first two volumes, and enjoy!

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Summary: This is the end...beautiful friend...
Review: After writing The Three Musketeers and Twenty Years after, Dumas wrote a third installment to the trilogy. It is probably the most controvercial book in the trilogy, as can be revealed by reading many of the reviews. For starters, it's LONG: over 200 chapters. As a result, the English-speaking world has split it into three books: The Vicomte de Bragelonne, Louise de la Valiere and The Man in the Iron Mask (the most famous volume). The length is certainly a problem, in fact is it THE major flaw in the conclusion of the trilogy. Dumas is never terse or concise, but in this three-part book, he produces an monolith. This was largely due to him overcomitting himself and having to write this much for financial reasons. However, while this is a major setback, the three books still have elements of great, almost sublime Dumas left in them, which can be extracted if approached in the right way.

In terms of this specific volume (The Man in the Iron Mask), this is where the Four come back into play after a long absence during Louise de la Valliere. Also, as could be expected, they come to meet their destinies and indeed, their deaths. The title of the book derives from Dumas tying in to the popular conspiracy theory of the historical man in the iron mask as being some important figure, to his writing about Louis XIV's court. In the book therefore, the man is the king's identical twin brother, who was imprisoned to prevent the potentiality for a scuffle for the throne and/or civil war (and no, I wasn't wrong to "ruin" it as his identity is already mentioned in Louise de la Valliere - and if you have not read that or the series up to this point, PLEASE do so - although only the Three Musketeers and this volume are commonly known, they are all great, and necessary to enjoy this book). But like usual, there are many other exploits, triumphs and tragedies. Why is this the title then? I think the whole trilogy sees the escalation of the role of the Musketeers as being behind national affairs, and the possibility of usurpation found in a twin exceeds them all and lets them go out with a bang.

If you only expect more action involving the Four, then don't bother reading this at all. However, if you persevere, you will get to see sublime glimpses of what a long way the Musketeers of old have come (for better or worse), what they think about the entire society they live in and what Dumas thinks. As well as some of the old-fashioned-style adventure. I think that the fact that this is obscured by an overly-drawn-out style, while annoying, does not detract from this being an honourable conclusion to the trilogy.

Some didn't like the ending to the whole saga. I did, although some chapters at the end could have been edited out completely. The reason is that by now, I as a reader felt quite close to all the former Musketeers and this book shows the twilight of their life, shows them for who they are. Aramis as having somewhat fallen from honour by excessive manipulation and scheming that escalates to a shattering climax, Porthos as simple yet good-natured and always ready to help, d'Artagnan as the forceful man embittered by decades of serving asses and Athos and Raoul as the ever-solid rocks of calm finally reached by tragedy. They've all come a long way and the as they fade into the next world, this volume reminds us fondly of them and the chivalry, adventure, arrogance, good-humour and intrigue that they and the series stand for.

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Summary: Exciting Conclusion to the Epic Trilogy of the Musketeers
Review: The three stories comprising Alexandre Dumas' epic trilogy - The Three Musketeers, Twenty Years After, and The Man in the Iron Mask - have been continuously popular for more than 150 years. It is perhaps preferable to read all three novels in sequence, but it certainly not necessary. It is now more than twenty years after my last reading of The Three Musketeers and I had little difficulty going directly to The Man in the Iron Mask. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed these swashbuckling adventures. I look forward to reading once more The Three Musketeers and Twenty Years After.

The setting for The Man in the Iron Mask is France in 1660-1661. Louis XIV is consolidating his power over the aristocracy. The older Athos, Aramis, Porthos, and D'Artagnan cross paths again in this final story, but their relationship is more complex. Aramis is engaged in secretive matters, an intrigue that excludes D'Artagnan, captain of King Louis XIV's musketeers. This novel not only concludes the tale of the musketeers, but it also seems to mark the end of chivalry as the autocratic King Louis XIV gains mastery over all of France.

I read the 500-page Signet Classics paperback edition. This unabridged translation, revised and updated by Jacqueline Rogers, is exciting and enjoyable. Jack Zipes, a professor at the University of Minnesota, contributed a useful summary (as an afterword, not as an introduction) that examined the actual historical context of The Man in the Iron Mask.

The rivalry between Fouquet and Colbert was historical fact. It is true that Louis XIV was unintentionally humiliated during his visit to Fouquet's magnificent chateau at Vaux, and that D'Artagnan was indeed the captain of the King's Musketeers. Most surprising, although shrouded in mystery, there was a prisoner whose face was hidden behind a mask. Nonetheless, Dumas was writing fiction, not history, and he altered the facts for dramatic effect. Whenever I encounter historical accounts that conflict with the stories of Dumas, I am disappointed with history, not with Dumas. I much prefer the chivalrous France of Dumas.

A Point of Confusion: The Musketeer trilogy is usually published as five books. The canonical set is The Three Musketeers, Twenty Years After, and The Vicomte de Bragelonne. However, the exceedingly long Vicomte is itself traditionally published in three volumes as Vicomte de Bragelonne, Louise de la Valliere, and The Man in the Iron Mask. As the title suggests, this Signet Classics edition includes only the third volume of The Vicomte de Bragelonne.

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Summary: Librarianwatch
Review: Great book but for Dumas standard it could be better. The 4 preceeding books starting wtih The Three Musketeers , Twenty Years After, The Vicomte De Bragelonne and Louise De LA Valliere are by far more carefully written. It seems that Dumas wanted to hurriedly end the saga. Could be better and the story can be extended a little more... Pointing blame to La Valliere and abrupt end to Aramis' actions are too roughly plotted.

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Summary: Classic Dumas
Review: As usual, Dumas pulls out all the stops and renders a heart-wrenching account of love, betrayal, intrigue, love, death, parting, love, loyalty, war, love...did I mention love? This is the final in the Musketeer series, which no movie can ever do justice to. In fact, if you plan on reading this book or this series, do not watch the movies for two reasons: one, they usually mess with the facts and leave you anticipating what will not come, and two, this is far more epic than can ever be put on screen anyway. Read this book!