Twenty Years After - Alexandre Dumas
The second book in 'The D'Artagnan Romances.' Preceded by 'The Three Musketeers.'
First published in French 1845.
Not as well-known as The Three Musketeers or even the later sequel The Man in the Iron Mask, this second installment of the story of D'Artagnan, Aramis, Porthos and Athos picks up (surprise, surprise) twenty years after the events of the first book. Cardinal Richelieu has died, and a new cardinal, Mazarin, has taken his place as a new antagonist-of-sorts, manipulating the queen and also secretly being her lover. Also making his presence known as the book progresses is Mordaunt, the son of the long-executed Lady de Winter, now seeking revenge against the musketeers and anyone else responsible in his eyes for the death of his mother and the loss of his titles - a list that includes his own father and the king of England, Charles I!
By setting Twenty Years After during a time of unrest in both France (a period of civil war called 'The Frounde') and England (the English civil war) Dumas is able to have his characters involved in very high-stakes intrigue - even at one point working to try and help Charles avoid execution! Dumas also mixes up the formula a little by dividing our heroes into those supporting the Queen (D'Artagnan and Porthos) and those supporting the monarchy against Mazarin (Athos and Aramis), meaning that for much of the story's run-time the four friends are pitted against one another. All four heroes, however, elevate honour and monarchy in their own ways, and even when turned against elements of the government our heroes still desire to serve the monarchy, where modern heroes may be tempted to bring it down.
This book is not as focussed in its execution as The Three Musketeers, and yet Dumas remains a writer that can add in suspense, humour and even pace in a way that is far more 'modern' than his contemporaries. One scene, where our heroes are planning to spring a trap against unsuspecting guards during a game of cards, even reads like a tense scene in a modern action movie. Also, once Mordaunt has been defeated, the book carries on for much longer than a modern work would. This, however, does allow Dumas to finish up the historical plot of the Fronde, and leave his heroes in a secure place ready for their next adventure.
Enjoyable.
Completed 14 January 2023.
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