Rating: 
Summary: Fabulous Followup
Review: This is the second book in Dumas' Musketeers trilogy and the sequel to The Three Musketeers. Since this is not a trilogy which can be read out of order, the best way of describing the book is probably to compare it to the first one.
The basis is quite simple: it is twenty years since the adventures of the Four, and they have gone their separate ways. After Cardinal Richeleu's death, the new de-facto ruler of France is Mazarin, who is less ruthless yet less honourable. Rather than feared and hated as Richeleu was, Mazarin is unpopular, despised and scorned - and has a reputation for enormous avarice. As d'Artagnan's brilliance has gone largely unrewarded in his 20 years as lieutenant of the Musketeers, he embraces the chance to serve Mazarin directly.
However, in trying to gather his three friends, he finds out the extent to which time separates people. No longer a unit, the four are caught on opposite sides of the historical Fronde conflict. The book is essentially about their exploits with the added dimension of the attempts to maintain their friendship despite the outside world causing many a rift. I think this is the book's greatest strength, as the whole trilogy shows a kind of progression from pure swashbuckling at the start of the Three Musketeers to a more introspective attitude. In Twenty Years after, this applies not only to history, but to friendships and interpersonal relationships.
This book contains many more detailed references to historical events (as many events in the first book weren't related to documented events) and hence will envelop you in a more concrete historical setting. On the other hand, this will mean more inaccuracies. Furthermore, Twenty Years after is longer than The Three Musketeers (so don't expect to get through it in one afternoon) but it's still classic drama-filled, scheming Dumas.
Overall, a great book. I agree with people who say it's as good as the original, just don't expect more of EXACTLY the same - if it were it would be boring, but as Athos, Porthos, d'Artagnan and Aramis mature, so does our reading of their exploits.
Rating: 
Summary: Sorely Disappointed
Review: Three Musketeers is on my all time best books list. This sequel is no where close - not even mildly enjoyable.Three Musketeers is filled with action, laugh out loud humor and intrigue. This, its sequel, is filled with mind-numbing palace and political intrigue that is not very intriguing. The only part that was mildly interesting was how the four characters turned out after twenty years. There is also an intriguing descendant of deWinter, but his role is only sporadic. When I think of the original Three Musketeers fondly, I am sure I will have long forgotten this long interminable book of palace political maneuverings. If you loved the original and want to leave your recollection untainted - skip this one!
Rating:
Summary: The Best Book of the Five
Review: Twenty Years After is my favorite book of Dumas' Musketeer series! There is more emphasis on the characters and the friendship between Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and d'Artagnan than in the Three Musketeers without losing any of the adventure or excitement. The four friends find themselves on opposite sides of politics, yet when evil again rears its ugly head, this time in the shape of Milady's revenge-obsessed son, Mordaunt, they pull together and triumph in one of most of the exciting adventure stories ever written. The only down side of the book is the fact that Charles I is unable to be saved by the musketeers, although this doesn't detract from the excitement found in their attempt to preserve the English monarch. This is a must read for all Dumas fans.
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