The Vicomte de Bragelonne

Written by Alexandre Dumas

Narrated by Simon Vance

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blackstone Audio
• Release date: Apr 2, 2009
• ISBN: 9781433297403

Alexandre Dumas

Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870) was a prolific French writer who is best known for his ever-popular classic novels The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers.

Reviews for The Vicomte de Bragelonne

[lukerik-1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This is more Twenty Years After than Three Musketeers. As it's only the first part of a long novel it's hard to judge whether the varied events will be drawn into anything resembling a coherent plot (which Twenty Years lacked) or if we will find any over riding themes. It's interested in money and social status. It's highly readable and when you're sitting down and reading it the pages just fly over but I didn't feel the urge to read that I perhaps would have done if there were a little more intellectual and emotional content. There are some funny moments and the chapter 'Throes' is a little comic masterpiece. The introduction contains spoilers, as do the notes, though in their case they are not as bad as in the previous volume. I wonder if Mr Coward received complaints

[schmerguls · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

1203. The Vicomte de Bragelonne, by Alexandre Duman (22 Dec 1972) This is the third volume of the D'Artagnan cycle by Dumas. It is laid in 1660, and covers the restoration of Charles II to the throne of England, the death of Mazarin, and the beginnings of the intrigues where Aramis and Porthos are leagued with Fouquet against the King and d'Artagnan. There are two more volumes in the cycle: Louise de la Valliere (which I did not read till 17 Mar 1974) and The Man in the Iron Mask (which I did not read till 16 Feb 1975). This volume has 92 chapters and I did not find it as good or as exhilarating as Twenty Years After, the preceding volume in the cycle, which I had finished 25 Nov 1972.

[tadad_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Dumas' third volume of about the four musketeers is usually split into three parts, of which this is the first. The swashbuckling of the first two books is significantly reduced; the story is now one about political intrigue.

[clurb · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Whilst D'Artagnan and Athos embroil themselves in the restoration of the English monarchy, Aramis and Porthos have their own secrets to keep, and Raoul is becoming well-known at court. Not as action-packed as the preceding Musketeers books but it sets up some intriguing plot lines for the next two volumes.