The Search for the Man in the Iron Mask: A Historical Detective Story

by Paul Sonnino

The Search for the Man in the Iron Mask triumphantly solves an enduring puzzle that has stumped historians for centuries and seduced novelists and filmmakers to this day. Who was the man who was rumored to have been kept in prison and treated royally during much of the reign of Louis XIV while being forced to wear an iron mask? Could he possibly have been the twin brother of the Sun King? Like every other serious scholar, intrepid historian Paul Sonnino discounts this theory, instead taking the reader along on his adventures to uncover the truth behind this ancient enigma. Exploring the hidden, squalid side of the lavish court of France, the author uncovers the full spectrum of French society, from humble servants to wealthy merchants to kings and queens. All had self-interested reasons to hold their secrets close until one humble valet named Eustache Dauger was arrested and jailed for decades, simply because he knew too much and opened his mouth at the wrong time. Presenting his dramatic solution to the mystery, Sonnino convincingly shows that no one will be able to tell the story of the man in the iron mask without taking into account the staggering array of evidence he has uncovered over the course of decades.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, True Crime, France

286 pages, Hardcover

First published January 6, 2016

Reviews

[Bandit · Rating 2 out of 5]

You're probably familiar with the story. Maybe you've read Dumas' book, most likely you've seen one of the cinematic adaptations. The prevailing pop culture theory is that it was the identical twin brother of King Louis XIV. Not so fast, Sonnino alleges to have solved the historical mystery and the identity of the man is...Eustache Daunger, a docile, possibly gay, valet, who had the sad fortune of becoming privy to the secrets and intrigues of the court, particularly of the sordid financial nature and thusly was tucked away out of sight yet in relative comfort, alive, but masked, for the astounding 34 years. Daunger was in fact a historical figure who lived in the appropriate time window, although popular sources (see Wikipedia) link him to the Affair of Poisons and subsequent imprisonment in Saint Lazare, thus unlikely the right man for the mask, locked up 100s of miles away. There are many theories postulating that the prisoner was likely a valet who knew too much. Sonnino just happens to be the one to proclaim it with certainty most recently. He does so with an exhaustive amount of research, so much so that his notes and sources take up nearly half of the book. He also utilizes a style of dissertation for his book, making for an intelligent, but oftentimes off putting, pedantic and tedious read, all suspense and intrigue traded in for a circumnavigatory narration that goes from A to B via Z. Much like Jack the Ripper's identity from time to time gets solved by a historian or a fiction author, so has the man in the iron mask long fascinated the imagination. Seems like the detection follows a pattern of finding a guilty party, selecting a premise, then making the fact fit the theory. Daunger is the name the prisoner was arrested under, so history can be made to accommodate him, decided Sonnino. But, of course, murky waters of time obfuscate the facts, blur the line between reality and fiction and leave much to interpretation. History is said to be written by victors, but the thing is history is written by everybody who took the time to do so and as such it is essentially often just a story we chose to believe or the most likely one. Even if Sonnino is correct, this might be the case of good triumphing over right, fiction over putative facts. As far as stories go, this one belongs to Dumas, who has made it superior in every way. Thanks Netgalley.

[Krissys Bookshelf Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author: Paul Sonnino
Title: The Search for the Man in the Iron Mask: A Historical Detective Story
Series:
Cover Rating:
Bronze star

Book Rating:
4 stars



About the Book:

The Search for the Man in the Iron Mask triumphantly solves an enduring puzzle that has stumped historians for centuries and seduced novelists and filmmakers to this day. Who was the man who was rumored to have been kept in prison and treated royally during much of the reign of Louis XIV while being forced to wear an iron mask?
Could he possibly have been the twin brother of the Sun King?
Like every other serious scholar, intrepid historian Paul Sonnino discounts this theory, instead taking the reader along on his adventures to uncover the truth behind this ancient enigma. Exploring the hidden, squalid side of the lavish court of France, the author uncovers the full spectrum of French society, from humble servants to wealthy merchants to kings and queens.
All had self-interested reasons to hold their secrets close until one humble valet named Eustache Dauger was arrested and jailed for decades, simply because he knew too much and opened his mouth at the wrong time.
Presenting his dramatic solution to the mystery, Sonnino convincingly shows that no one will be able to tell the story of the man in the iron mask without taking into account the staggering array of evidence he has uncovered over the course of decades.



My Thoughts:

I've always been a fan of the Man in the Iron Mask history and mythology. Sonnino's take is an interesting angle to take into account. One thing is for sure is that he's done some serious homework. I really wish the author had created a glossary or some kind of index to track all the wealth of information that he brings to the table because its literally so dense you need to take notes.

I really enjoyed the devious history that surrounded the wealth and royalty of the time that Sonnio did well to detail and include in his story.

Sonnio weaves a creative story from beginning to end with a Tudors kind of reality drama. I requested the book expecting a sort of story tale but got a history lesson instead however it didn't prevent me from enjoying it.




Disclaimer:
Krissys Bookshelf Reviews received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.

Note:
If any of Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews has been helpful please stop by to like my post or leave a comment to let me know what you think. I love hearing from you!

[Abbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 I actually very much enjoyed this book for what it is. Dry, non fiction with historical information about a time period I am obsessed with. I liked how he went through history and all the theories, with many being ones I had not heard. If this is your jam... good book.

That being said... my daughter fell asleep on me every time she came into the room and I was listening to this audiobook... perhaps an advertisement for getting your 4yo to nap?

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

The staggering amount of characters here will eventually beat you down and l leave you asking how much you care about the conclusion. I started strong, but only made it halfway before succumbing.

[Misty · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is mostly a list of names and unsubstantiated suppositions. Weak, but with pretensions.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a terrible book about a most fascinating subject. What could have been a riveting journey down the road to discovery is instead a confused mess of real facts, some dubious ones, and a great deal of supposition that arrives at a highly questionable conclusion.

The author, ostensibly an academic historian of some distinction, dances from name to name and fact to fact with an abandon that is only outmatched by his vertiginous leaps of dubious deduction, backed with a few facts, a great deal of innuendo and some outright invention in his quest to prove that the prisoner was a rather insignificant valet, whose name does not even come into the record until he is imprisoned. The conclusion that the prisoner, whose very identity was a sensitive state secret and who according to at least one eyewitness was treated with all the care due a gentleman was a mere valet, liable to summary execution or prison murder at the crown's whim, beggars all imagination.

I can only hope that a more careful historian (and a better writer) will take up the subject in the future.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read Dumas' novel in which this masked man appears, I had to read this book. I'll try not to reveal any spoilers. Sonnino is one of the leading historians of this period and this book shows just how much research a historian needs to do to track down all evidence--and there is a lot of it, in many archives, museums, libraries. But also he needs to have a firm grasp of the politics, social relationships, and psychology of individuals. As part of the preface he gives a list of dramatis personnae, so to speak, but it is sometimes hard to keep track of who is who and to whom related. i found Mazarin's theft of King CharlesI of England's treasures unbelievable--surely there is honor among the rulers? but no! Not that Louis XIV was any more honorable! Behind the doors of power---and people schemed to be part of this!

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into this book knowing almost nothing about the story of the Man in the Iron Mask (no, I never even saw the movie) or the world in which he lived. Paul's writing was approachable and great for an 'Iron Mask' novice such as myself. The only problem I had though, was that I had to go back and reread quite a few sections to try and keep the people straight. There were a *lot* of people in this book to keep track of and I felt that sometimes they got muddled. But all in all an interested read. 3/5 stars.

**I received this copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

[Tabby Shiflett · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
4 Stars-because of the daunting research included in a organized book on a popular and intriguing historical mystery.
3 Stars-again, because of the exhaustive research in this book, sometimes the facts and information become overwhelming.
The writing style makes it easier to wade through all the details and the subject matter is so interesting that the reader will stay on til the end. If it starts to feel like a textbook, just take a break and come back to it. You won't regret it. For history fans.

Net Galley Feedback

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love a good historical mystery, and "The Search for the Man in the Iron Mask" looks at one of the most famous French ones. The good is that this subject has been crying for extended treatment. The bad here is that the author's style just wasn't dynamic enough to sustain my interest. As an academic piece, I wasn't convinced of the argument of the work, and as popular history, I didn't find the narrative sufficiently engaging for the general public.

[Margaret Sholders · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always been curious about this story. I am not really up with the French Revolution. I know names but not really who did what. I find that there are a lot of different thoughts on who he was. At first this book throws you for a loop but then it settles down. I am glad I read this story. I am still curious but I am glad to know there really was such a person! I have this book for an honest review for NetGalley.

[nikkia neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks Rowman & Littlefield and netgalley for ARC.

Very academic yet funny too. I learned a lot and liked Paul Sonnino's style.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Search for the Man in the Iron Mask is a fascinating read. To me, it was somewhat hard to red at times and I had to put it down for a bit. I did mostly enjoy the book and would give it 4 stars.

[Chris Biffen · Rating 5 out of 5]

the number of characters, in this book, are amazing, at the end, of the book, the author, tells the reader. his opinion, however, make up your own mind. Simon