'Dear sister!' said Charles IX, 'there is blood on your sleeve!' 'And what consequence is that, Sire,' said Marguerite, 'if I have a smile upon my lips?' Saint Bartholomew's Day 1572. Paris is awash with the blood of Huguenots slaughtered by order of Charles IX. Or perhaps of Catherine de Medicis, one of history's great monsters? Or the ambitious Duke de Guise? Or the Duke d'Anjou, soon to be the reluctant King of Poland? The answer will be found in the secret passageways of the Louvre and the torture chamber of the fortress of Vincennes. It takes an iron nerve and a cool head to survive. Young Henry of Navarre has both in abundance, but he has more: he has his Queen, the beautiful, cultured Margot. Staking all on love and losing, she remains defiant in defeat. La Reine Margot (1845) is a novel of suspense and drama which recreates the violent world of intrigue, murder and duplicity of the French Renaissance. Dumas fills his canvas with a gallery of unforgettable characters, unremitting action and the engaging generosity of spirit which has made him one of the world's greatest and best-loved story-tellers. This revised edition of the classic translation of 1846 is richly annotated. An introduction sets Dumas and his work in their literary, 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.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Don't know why The Three Musketeers remains Dumas' most celebrated work when his true talent is illustrated in books of real substance and humanity like this. La Reine Margot is a novel of power, written by a master in his element, in my view, second only to his Monte Cristo. Passionate, dark, sinister, thrilling, glorious. Everything you could want from a novel and more. Will leave you with a thirst for literature, history and life.
18 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I was recommended this book by a friend and loved every minute of it. It is the story of two couples, both in love, and the friendship between the four of them. However, in true Dumas fassion, the intregues and plots of the French court are all mixed in as well: the attack on the Huguenots, the scheming Catherine de Medicis and many more. This book will keep you gripped from start to finish; you'll really be in 16th century France!
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Roman Clodia
TOP 50 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
This is probably my favourite Dumas novel but there's something about this translation that doesn't feel quite right. I suspect it's Dumas rather than the translator: there's an elusive tone and register to his prose which just doesn't translate into English in any seamless fashion.
That apart, this is a brilliant story: set in 1572, it concerns itself with the French wars of religion, especially the horrendous St Bartholomew's Eve massacre when Catholics slaughted Huguenots (Protestants) on the streets of Paris. The poisonous (literally) Catherine de Medici is set against the luminous Marguerite (called Margot by her brothers), and Dumas creates a story that pulses with drama. This is especially good on the claustrophobia of the Louvre where conversations are always elliptical and opaque, where secret lovers breath messages to each other in Latin, and where truth and integrity are always at a premium.
Like other Dumas novels (e.g. The Three Musketeer series) you do need to understand the historical background, and while the notes in this Oxford edition do an admirable job of filling that in you should be wary of the editor slipping in frequent 'spoilers', for example contrasting the historical career of a character with his/her role in Dumas' novel - very iritating for the first time reader.
So this is a great read, in my view better than the Three Musketeers. If you can, though, I would strongly recommend reading it in the original (a free Kindle edition is available: La Reine Margot (French Edition)) which has a certain something that the English doesn't capture.
That apart, this is a brilliant story: set in 1572, it concerns itself with the French wars of religion, especially the horrendous St Bartholomew's Eve massacre when Catholics slaughted Huguenots (Protestants) on the streets of Paris. The poisonous (literally) Catherine de Medici is set against the luminous Marguerite (called Margot by her brothers), and Dumas creates a story that pulses with drama. This is especially good on the claustrophobia of the Louvre where conversations are always elliptical and opaque, where secret lovers breath messages to each other in Latin, and where truth and integrity are always at a premium.
Like other Dumas novels (e.g. The Three Musketeer series) you do need to understand the historical background, and while the notes in this Oxford edition do an admirable job of filling that in you should be wary of the editor slipping in frequent 'spoilers', for example contrasting the historical career of a character with his/her role in Dumas' novel - very iritating for the first time reader.
So this is a great read, in my view better than the Three Musketeers. If you can, though, I would strongly recommend reading it in the original (a free Kindle edition is available: La Reine Margot (French Edition)) which has a certain something that the English doesn't capture.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By rob crawford
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
This is a lesser known Dumas novel than, say, the Count of Monte Christo. But it is just as good as the others he did: vivid personalities, attention to detail, and fabulously intricate plots. It tells the story of Margot and her marriage to the King of Navarre, an ambitious Hugenot in constant danger of assassination. With the backdrop of the religious wars, she finds love in a knight that she attempts to cloister from the dangers of court intrigue. It ends in tragedy, hope, and the promise of further adventure.
Based on available historical sources at the time and embellished with Dumas' unique sense of drama, it is a spectacular read, full of danger, sudden developments, and psychological depth. While it may not be as deep as Stendhal's best works, it is absolutely first rate as a historical novel, a genre that Dumas helped to develop. It stimulates the reader's desire to plung more deeply into French history as well.
High recommendation.
Based on available historical sources at the time and embellished with Dumas' unique sense of drama, it is a spectacular read, full of danger, sudden developments, and psychological depth. While it may not be as deep as Stendhal's best works, it is absolutely first rate as a historical novel, a genre that Dumas helped to develop. It stimulates the reader's desire to plung more deeply into French history as well.
High recommendation.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is one of the best Dumas books and the French film is equally fantastic. It is the sort of book that you like to read again and again and I always watch the film at least once a year. Dumas at his best.
0 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
There are some moments of genuine horror and pathos during this story, during the Massacre of St Bartholomew's Eve itself, when thousands of Huguenots were killed at the behest of Catherine de Medici by Catholic officers, soldiers and civilians; at the climax when the romantic heroes are tortured and executed; and at one point when Catherine de Medici tricks and kills a servant. Most of the rest of the time it is standard swashbuckling Dumas, with a strong air of theatricality and even farcicality.
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