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Louise de la Balliere is the middle section of The Vicomte de Bragelonne or, Ten Years After. Against a tender love story, Dumas continues the suspense which began with The Vicomte de Bragelonne and will end with The Man in the Iron Mask. It is early summer, 1661, and the royal court of France is in turmoil. Can it be true that the King is in love with the Duchess d'Orleans? Or has his eye been caught by the sweet and gentle Louise de la Valliere? No one is more anxious to know the answer than Raoul, son of Athos, who loves Louise more than life itself. Behind the scenes, dark intrigues are afoot. Louis XIV is intent on making himself absolute master of France. Imminent crisis shakes the now aging Musketeers and d'Artagnan out of their complacent retirement, but is the cause just? This new edition of the classic English translation of 1857 is richly annotated and sets Dumas's invigorating tale in its historical and cultural context.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
To read the whole 3 musketeers canon, this must be included, as it is volume 4 of the five. It covers the bit just before the Man in the Iron Mask, and reading this certainly makes TMITIM alot more understandable. Reading the whole lot also tells you that none of the films of TTM of TMITIM have done the stories justice.
They are a retelling of the history of the French court over the period from the about midpoint of Louis XIII's reign (TTM) to the early 1660s, when Louis XIV was taking power from Mazarin. The stories are, like all Dumas's histories, heavily romanticised, historical characters being freely - loosely even -intermingled with fictional and semi-fictional (e.g d'Artagnan), and C17 activities being rewritten for C19 sensitivities - King and mistresses never actually seem to bonk, for example, passionate kissing symbolising it all unspoken.
This translation, with copious historical notes, is a good rollicking read, and highly recommended.
They are a retelling of the history of the French court over the period from the about midpoint of Louis XIII's reign (TTM) to the early 1660s, when Louis XIV was taking power from Mazarin. The stories are, like all Dumas's histories, heavily romanticised, historical characters being freely - loosely even -intermingled with fictional and semi-fictional (e.g d'Artagnan), and C17 activities being rewritten for C19 sensitivities - King and mistresses never actually seem to bonk, for example, passionate kissing symbolising it all unspoken.
This translation, with copious historical notes, is a good rollicking read, and highly recommended.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
5 reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Fabulous jaunt through French history
4 May 2011
Format:Paperback
Most people are familiar with the story of The Three Musketeers (Oxford World's Classics) - "all for one, one for all" is a pretty common catchphrase/concept and actually does come from the book - and The Man in the Iron Mask (Oxford World's Classics); both have been made into numerous movies over the years. What most people are not aware of is that there are three other novels in the series, falling between them (Twenty Years After (Oxford World's Classics), The Vicomte de Bragelonne (Oxford World's Classics), and Louise de la Vallière (Oxford World's Classics)]. And it is extraordinarily good fortune for readers that there are, as Dumas' writing is exceptionally vivid, intense, dramatic (without being over-the-top) and action-packed. Throw out almost everything you think you know about these stories if your only experience with them is via the movies - even the better versions cannot hold a candle to the books. They are full of intrigue, suspense, and treachery; of politics, passion, and incomparable prose - they will take you on a high-speed ride through French history that I guarantee will entertain as well as educate. I am a fan of the Oxford World's Classics translations - I find them eminently readable and enjoyable, and it doesn't hurt that they look nice in a row on the shelf... ;)
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Historical Fiction at its best
18 Aug 2010
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
"Louise de la Valliere" - the middle portion of Dumas' epic novel "The Man in the Iron Mask" - focuses on the intrigues of the court of Louis XIV, but is not less enthralling than its companions. If you find it difficult to follow more than one major plot, this is not the novel for you. If you want only to follow the tale of D'Artagnan and his companions, this is not your novel either.
If, however, you are open to becoming involved with new characters and delve into their plots, you will not be disappointed. I have no great love for the character of de la Valliere and the pawn she allows herself to be, but the players that surround her hold up her personality inaddition to their own and make the plots rich.
"Louise de la Valliere" is not a fast paced action thriller, but does not bore either.
If, however, you are open to becoming involved with new characters and delve into their plots, you will not be disappointed. I have no great love for the character of de la Valliere and the pawn she allows herself to be, but the players that surround her hold up her personality inaddition to their own and make the plots rich.
"Louise de la Valliere" is not a fast paced action thriller, but does not bore either.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Louise de la Valliere is a classic historical novel by the pen of Aexandre Dumas (pere) the King of Romance Fiction!
28 July 2011
Format:Paperback
Louise de la Valliere is the middle part of the "Ten Years After" trilogy consisting of "The Comte De Bragalonne "(Raoul) the son of Athos the famous Musketeer; "Louise de la Vallerie" and "The Man in the Iron Mask". The novels were first published in Paris in the 1840s. The Oxford Classic Library edition of "Louise de la Valliere" uses the 1857 English translation. The story is long, episodic and complex. No wonder the editiors included a listing of the historical personages alluded to and participating in the trilogy. Over 40 pages of notes are included in the handsome Oxford Classics edition to enhance an understanding of the text. the book cover is a beautiful portrait of a lovely woman!
Highlights of the Plot: The novel opens in early summer 1661. We are at the court of the young Sun King Louis XIV. (1638-1715). While Louis builds up France's military forces plans are in place to remove finance minister Fouquet for the wily Corbert. D'Artangan is the commander of the King's musketeers. His old friend Pothos is a military engineer and the wealthy Athos has brought his son to court. Athos' son Raoul is in love with the lame, slight but lovely Louise de la Valliere. The King will himself make Louise his lover; Raoul will be disappointed in love. Raoul wlll also be sent on a diplomatic mission to Hampton Court in England where Charles II is the reigning monarch. Madame (Henrietta) is the sister of Charles II. She is unhappily married to Phillip the Duke of Orleans. He is the effeminate brother of Louis XIV. Madame has several courtiers include Guiche, King Louise and others. The Queen Mother Anne of Austria is adept at pulling romantic strings on behalf and often in defiance of the wishes of her son Louis. There is very little sword play in this sedate, talkative novel. The most exciting action is a duel between de Warde and Guice. There are no battles or violent deaths. Aramis has become the head of the Jesuits order; he is involved in ecclesiastical anti-papl politics.
Dumas demands attention and writes in an ornate style hard to digest for some 21st century eyes. Yet the creator of the Three Musketeers and countless other tales is well worth reading. Dumas (1802-1870)lived a high life of unceasing literary effort, countless affairs of the heart and eating with the taste of a gourmet. What a man and what fiction he produced for us to enjoy!
Highlights of the Plot: The novel opens in early summer 1661. We are at the court of the young Sun King Louis XIV. (1638-1715). While Louis builds up France's military forces plans are in place to remove finance minister Fouquet for the wily Corbert. D'Artangan is the commander of the King's musketeers. His old friend Pothos is a military engineer and the wealthy Athos has brought his son to court. Athos' son Raoul is in love with the lame, slight but lovely Louise de la Valliere. The King will himself make Louise his lover; Raoul will be disappointed in love. Raoul wlll also be sent on a diplomatic mission to Hampton Court in England where Charles II is the reigning monarch. Madame (Henrietta) is the sister of Charles II. She is unhappily married to Phillip the Duke of Orleans. He is the effeminate brother of Louis XIV. Madame has several courtiers include Guiche, King Louise and others. The Queen Mother Anne of Austria is adept at pulling romantic strings on behalf and often in defiance of the wishes of her son Louis. There is very little sword play in this sedate, talkative novel. The most exciting action is a duel between de Warde and Guice. There are no battles or violent deaths. Aramis has become the head of the Jesuits order; he is involved in ecclesiastical anti-papl politics.
Dumas demands attention and writes in an ornate style hard to digest for some 21st century eyes. Yet the creator of the Three Musketeers and countless other tales is well worth reading. Dumas (1802-1870)lived a high life of unceasing literary effort, countless affairs of the heart and eating with the taste of a gourmet. What a man and what fiction he produced for us to enjoy!
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