Product Description

One of France's best-selling writers at the time of the novel's composition, Dumas here combines what he considered to be life's essentials - `l'action et l'amour'. This historical romance is the climax of his epic of chivalry and valour that began with The Three Musketeers, and it is here that Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and their friend d'Artagnan, once invincible, meet their destinies. This edition provides background information and notes crucial to an understanding of the legend and the novel's setting.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #394205 in Books
• Published on: 1998-05-21
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 656 pages

Customer Reviews

The best possible end to the greatest literary saga
This is the final part of the final instalment of the musketeers trilogy, and this is no doubt where much confusion arises. After the completion of The Three Musketeers in 1844 and Twenty Years After in 1845 Dumas once again returned to the musketeers for one final outing. Published in serial form between 1847 and 1850 The Vicomte De Bragelonne is a massive work. So massive in fact that it is normally not published as one edition (as is the case with the current Oxford edition) the first part of which is, confusingly, normally called The Vicomte De Bragelonne. The second and third parts are given the titles Louise De La Valliere and The Man in the Iron Mask respectively.

It is clear, therefore, that The Man in the Iron Mask should not be read out of sequence as it will make little or no sense. What we get is the culmination to the greatest literary saga of all time. And this is perhaps the reason why this book is so misunderstood. The ending is not sad (except in the sense that it's a little sad when anything ends) although most people will cry. This is an outstanding tale of heroism, of friendship and of honour. It contains some absolutely magical scenes (although to list them would be to give too much away).

As if an exciting story about the musketeers wasn't enough Dumas added a fantastic subplot: the man in the iron mask. However the man in the iron mask is just that, a subplot, a means for Dumas to get his characters where he wants them at the end of the novel. The title is, in this respect, rather misleading (but remember it is only the title given to the third part of a novel). While many are disappointed by the lack of prominence of the man in the iron mask and others dislike the ending the fact is that this is one of the greatest books ever written. It is the story of the destinies of the musketeers and how they meet them, the man in the iron mask is merely a plot device.

Forget the movie, read the book!!
Oh wow, what a great end to an incredible ride, the story of the Musketeers. I haven't been so engrossed in a series of books since I picked up Diana Gabaldon's Outlander. Athos, Raoul, Porthos, Aramis and of course D'Artagnan are going to be in my thoughts and dreams for some time, I hate to let them go.

If you are expecting the story as told by Hollywood, forget it. While I haven't seen the latest version with Leonardo DiCaprio (forgive me if I spell it wrong), I looked at the reader reviews and was quite surprised at how different the book is from Hollywood's version. I also recall a movie done in the late 70's/80's that is nothing like the book as well. I would pick it apart point by point, but that would include spoilers. The Man in the Iron Mask is actually the last third of a huge novel by Dumas originally titled The Vicomte de Bragelonne. Because of the size of the book, English publishers have divided into three books, The Vicomte de Bragelonne, Louise de la Valliere, and The Man in the Iron Mask.

Suffice it to say that TMITIM is the final chapter of our heroic Musketeers, as well as Raoul, the son of Athos. While we all know the story of Louis XIV's twin and the plot to substitute him, that is a minor part of the whole story, as the action then becomes centered on the aftermath of that plot and Louis' revenge. It has been a grand, glorious ride reading this series, The Three Musketeers, Twenty Years After, The Vicomte de Bragelonne, Louise de la Valliere and The Man In the Iron Mask. And do have your box of tissue handy for the last 20-30 pages. You'll need it.

One side note, some people are purchasing this as a stand-alone book, which it is not. You could probably get away with that, but you'll spend so much time looking back at the footnotes trying to figure who is who I doubt you will enjoy the story as much. Also, this version didn't have the list of characters that the VDB and LDLV did. Go for broke and read the whole thing, it's well worth it.

Brace yourself
It's always sad when you've lived with characters for so long to say goodbye, but Dumas does it in style. The title is misleading, and readers should not expect the entire book to be based on the one sub-plot; this is a book that draws all that has gone before it together, into a melancholy, yet valiant ending.