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Summary:
Now that the turbulence has passed, we're able to see what life at court is really like for the next generation. Instead of wrestling for power in war, we find the members of the court vying for position through romantic intrigues and political maneuverings. Focusing more on the Vicomte de Bragelonne and his peers, we're seeing that the older generation has become dissatisfied with the new order, but only Athos is content to retire to his property.
Response:
The poor Vicomte de Bragelonne, has been utterly heartbroken and I find it difficult to be angry with Louise de la Valliere. On the one hand, she didn't realize she wasn't actually in love with Raoul until she fell completely in love with the King. The King, never having really been loved by a woman, is immediately drawn to Louise. I am, however, angry with Princess Henrietta for suggesting Louise as a possible cover for the illicit affair she was having with the King. Without this suggestion, the King would not have been in a position to overhear Louise's confession of love and she might have gone on to marry Raoul after all. Though, if she wasn't actually in love with the Vicomte then perhaps this was all for the best.
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Sunday, November 23, 2014
The Vicomte de Bragelonne: Ten Years Later
Summary:
Ten years after the close of Twenty Years After, and thirty years after the events at the end of The Three Musketeers, We find that d'Artagnan has lost his position as the Captain of the Musketeers and has been demoted back to Lieutenant. He is a personal body guard to the King and has become very disenchanted with his lot in life. The Cardinal rules over Louis with an iron fist to the point that Louis is unable to help his friend, Charles II, to reclaim his throne in England.
Aramis is now the Bishop of Vanne, Porthos is aiding him in his political machinations, and Athos is desperately trying to control the budding romance between his son and Louise de la Valliere while fulfilling a promise he made ten years earlier.
D'Artagnan asks for leave to retire from the Musketeers and undertakes the task of returning Charles II to his father's throne in England. Unbeknownst to him, Athos is attempting the very same thing. Soon all is resolved and Charles is returned to power.
Response:
I was surprised to see D'Artagnan so quickly demoted after the events of the previous novel and concerned about the weakness of the King. But was greatly impressed at the way Dumas bends his story to fit the historical framework.
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Twenty Years After by Alexandre Dumas
Summary:
Twenty Years after the events of The Three Musketeers, France has a new King, a new Cardinal, and d'Artagnan hasn't progressed past his promotion to Lieutenant in the Musketeers. The four friends, d'Artagnan, Aramis, Athos, and Porthos, went their separate ways in the end of The Three Musketeers, but are reunited only to discover they're on separate sides of the intrigues at court.
Athos is now a father and living comfortably on his estates in the country. He takes an interest in the political intrigues against Cardinal Mazarin and then goes to England to help King Charles I fight for his kingdom during the English Revolution.
Aramis is an Abbe, but is experiencing a case of the "grass is greener." While a Musketeer he dreamed of joining the church. Now a member of the clergy, he dreams of his days as a Musketeer. Aramis joins Athos in his quest to help the British Monarchy.
Porthos is a widower and has come to realize that all his riches are useless without someone with whom to share them. He's persuaded by d'Artagnan to work for Cardinal Mazarin for the spirit of the adventure and a promise of a baronetcy.
Response:
I was slightly disappointed to find that d'Artagnan hadn't progressed much past the final pages of The Three Musketeers. There's a new cardinal and a new king, but he seems lost without his friends around. He goes to seek them and discovers that Aramis and Athos are on the opposite side of the political unrest in France. They actively support the deposed king of England and are endeavoring to have Charles reinstated. D'Artagnan and Porthos are the agents of the Cardinal who only supports Charles' efforts in words.
One of the more touching scenes in my opinion is the failed rescue attempt for King Charles. Clearly, we know that history and that there is no hope for Charles, but with every turn of the page I hoped Dumas would write an alternative ending. I wanted the Musketeers to succeed and possible have a fake executed in Charles' place. But, alas, Dumas stays true to the facts and we are left with this beautiful scene of Athos trapped under the gallows during the execution. It's something I would love to see in a film one day - if it hasn't already been attempted.
I'm looking forward to the next few novels and the further adventures of these men. Though I read a spoiler the other day that makes me hope it was wrong.
Twenty Years after the events of The Three Musketeers, France has a new King, a new Cardinal, and d'Artagnan hasn't progressed past his promotion to Lieutenant in the Musketeers. The four friends, d'Artagnan, Aramis, Athos, and Porthos, went their separate ways in the end of The Three Musketeers, but are reunited only to discover they're on separate sides of the intrigues at court.
Athos is now a father and living comfortably on his estates in the country. He takes an interest in the political intrigues against Cardinal Mazarin and then goes to England to help King Charles I fight for his kingdom during the English Revolution.
Aramis is an Abbe, but is experiencing a case of the "grass is greener." While a Musketeer he dreamed of joining the church. Now a member of the clergy, he dreams of his days as a Musketeer. Aramis joins Athos in his quest to help the British Monarchy.
Porthos is a widower and has come to realize that all his riches are useless without someone with whom to share them. He's persuaded by d'Artagnan to work for Cardinal Mazarin for the spirit of the adventure and a promise of a baronetcy.
Response:
I was slightly disappointed to find that d'Artagnan hadn't progressed much past the final pages of The Three Musketeers. There's a new cardinal and a new king, but he seems lost without his friends around. He goes to seek them and discovers that Aramis and Athos are on the opposite side of the political unrest in France. They actively support the deposed king of England and are endeavoring to have Charles reinstated. D'Artagnan and Porthos are the agents of the Cardinal who only supports Charles' efforts in words.
One of the more touching scenes in my opinion is the failed rescue attempt for King Charles. Clearly, we know that history and that there is no hope for Charles, but with every turn of the page I hoped Dumas would write an alternative ending. I wanted the Musketeers to succeed and possible have a fake executed in Charles' place. But, alas, Dumas stays true to the facts and we are left with this beautiful scene of Athos trapped under the gallows during the execution. It's something I would love to see in a film one day - if it hasn't already been attempted.
I'm looking forward to the next few novels and the further adventures of these men. Though I read a spoiler the other day that makes me hope it was wrong.
Saturday, November 8, 2014
The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas
Summary:D'Artagnan arrives in Paris, on a yellow horse, to make his fortune but finds himself caught up in the political intrigue at the court of King Louis XIII. Foiling attempts by Milady de Winter lands him permanently on her bad side and thwarts the plans of the Cardinal Richelieu. With the help of his new friends, the Three Musketeers, d'Artagnan is able to navigate these tumultuous times and win his heart's desire - a Lieutenant's Commission with the Musketeers.
Response:The Three Musketeers has always been one of my favorite novels. I read it for the first time after seeing the Disney Movie, starring Chris O'Donnell, at the age 12. I remember it being entertaining and immediately declaring it my favorite. Though, looking back now, I think this had more to do with the film than the actual book. Over the years I've reread it several times and find something new each time. When I read it at 20, I laughed out loud at some parts. At 27, the historical aspect of the stories intrigued me and I realized there was actually witty banter between the friends. At 33, I'm more interested in views on women and the characterization of Milady de Winter and Constance. Obviously, this says more about me as the reader than it does about the author or the time period in which it was written.
Based on real life events and Les mémoires de M. d'Artagnan, by Gatien de Courtilz de Sandras, d'Artagnan is an interesting character, to say the least. In the first novel of the d'Artagnan Romances, by Dumas, he's portrayed as headstrong and, at times, impulsive but also very clever in his dealings with the royal court. There are events in the novel which make me think d'Artagnan is simply an asshole and yet we see how loyal he is to his friends. He's an imperfect character much in the same way that we are imperfect people and I love this about the novel.
An event, that I think will be revisited in the next novel of the series, Twenty Years After, will be the advantage taken with Milady de Winter. While searching for his lady love, d'Artagnan becomes enamored of Milady de Winter. When he learns that she is actually in love with the Comte des Wardes, and is merely stringing him along at Richelieu's orders, d'Artagnan disguises himself as des Wardes and sleeps with Milady. It's in this manner that he learns Milady's true identity and her terrible secret. Even though *Spoiler Alert* Milady is executed at the end of the novel, d'Artagnan will have to face consequences for this action, possibly at the hands of des Wardes.
Response:The Three Musketeers has always been one of my favorite novels. I read it for the first time after seeing the Disney Movie, starring Chris O'Donnell, at the age 12. I remember it being entertaining and immediately declaring it my favorite. Though, looking back now, I think this had more to do with the film than the actual book. Over the years I've reread it several times and find something new each time. When I read it at 20, I laughed out loud at some parts. At 27, the historical aspect of the stories intrigued me and I realized there was actually witty banter between the friends. At 33, I'm more interested in views on women and the characterization of Milady de Winter and Constance. Obviously, this says more about me as the reader than it does about the author or the time period in which it was written.
Based on real life events and Les mémoires de M. d'Artagnan, by Gatien de Courtilz de Sandras, d'Artagnan is an interesting character, to say the least. In the first novel of the d'Artagnan Romances, by Dumas, he's portrayed as headstrong and, at times, impulsive but also very clever in his dealings with the royal court. There are events in the novel which make me think d'Artagnan is simply an asshole and yet we see how loyal he is to his friends. He's an imperfect character much in the same way that we are imperfect people and I love this about the novel.
An event, that I think will be revisited in the next novel of the series, Twenty Years After, will be the advantage taken with Milady de Winter. While searching for his lady love, d'Artagnan becomes enamored of Milady de Winter. When he learns that she is actually in love with the Comte des Wardes, and is merely stringing him along at Richelieu's orders, d'Artagnan disguises himself as des Wardes and sleeps with Milady. It's in this manner that he learns Milady's true identity and her terrible secret. Even though *Spoiler Alert* Milady is executed at the end of the novel, d'Artagnan will have to face consequences for this action, possibly at the hands of des Wardes.
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