The Vicomte de Bragelonne
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Author Description
It is May 1660 and the fate of nations is at stake. Mazarin plots, Louis XIV is in love, and Raoul de Bragelonne, son of Athos, is intent on serving France and winning the heart of Louise de la Valliere. D'Artagnan, meanwhile, is perplexed by a mysterious stranger, and soon he learns that his old comrades already have great projects in hand. Athos seeks the restoration of Charles II, while Aramis, with Porthos in tow, has a secret plan involving a masked prisoner and the fortification of the island of Belle-Ile. D'Artagnan finds a thread leading him to the French court, the banks of the Tyne, the beaches of Holland, and the dunes of Brittany. The Vicomte de Bragelonne opens an epic adventure which continues with Louise de la Valliere and reaches its climax in The Man in the Iron Mask. This new edition of the classic translation is fully annotated, and an introduction sets Dumas's saga in its historical and cultural context. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
Menrva's Summary
THE PULSE
As the political landscape of 1660 France shifts, the aging musketeers find their loyalties tested by secret agendas and the rise of a new monarch. The narrative follows D'Artagnan as he navigates a web of intrigue involving the restoration of the English throne and the clandestine activities of his former comrades, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. While Raoul de Bragelonne pursues his own romantic and military ambitions, the protagonists are constrained by the rigid social hierarchies of the French court and the shifting allegiances of European powers. The story unfolds through a sprawling, multi-perspective framework that tracks the characters across various international locales.
INSIDE THE PAGES
- Intricate political maneuvering involving the French and English courts
- Exploration of aging and the obsolescence of the musketeer ideal
- Multiple parallel plot lines involving the restoration of Charles II
- Introduction of the mysterious masked prisoner subplot
- Detailed descriptions of 17th-century military and court life
- Shift in focus from youthful bravado to mature, calculated strategy
- Expansion of the D'Artagnan Romances saga scope
- Integration of historical figures with fictional character arcs
THE COLLECTIVE ECHO
Readers and critics frequently observe that this work serves as a complex, melancholic conclusion to the adventures of the famous musketeers. Discussion often centers on the shift in tone from the high-energy escapades of earlier volumes to a more somber reflection on duty, friendship, and the passage of time. Many highlight the effectiveness of the world-building, noting how the author balances historical accuracy with dramatic narrative tension. While some readers find the immense length and dense political subplots challenging, most agree that the character development provides a satisfying resolution to the long-standing arcs of the protagonists.
Page Count:
767
Publication Date:
1995-01-01
Publisher:
OUP Oxford
ISBN-10:
0191500364
ISBN-13:
9780191500367
Adventure
Historical Fiction
Swashbuckler
Classic Literature
English
French literature
English & College Success
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