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Le vicomte de Bragelonne #1/4
The Viscomte de Bragelonne: Illustrated
The Viscomte of Bragelonne is a novel by Alexandre Dumas. It is the forth of the d'Artagnan Romances, following The Three Musketeers and Twenty Years After. Plot: After 35 years of loyal service, d'Artagnan resigns as lieutenant of the Musketeers as he perceives the young king Louis XIV as weak-willed. He resolves to aid the exiled Charles II to retake the throne of England, unaware that Athos is attempting the same. With their assistance Charles II is restored to the throne and d'Artagnan is rewarded richly. Alexandre Dumas, also known as Alexandre Dumas, pere, was a French writer, best known for his historical novels of high adventure. Translated into nearly 100 languages, these have made him one of the most widely read French authors in history. This title is #4 of the D'Artagnan Romance Series."
366 pages, Paperback
Published September 14, 2015
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254 people want to read
About the author
Alexandre Dumas
6,988 books12.4k followersThis note regards Alexandre Dumas, père, the father of Alexandre Dumas, fils (son). For the son, see Alexandre Dumas fils.
Alexandre Dumas père, born Alexandre Dumas Davy de la Pailleterie, was a towering figure of 19th-century French literature whose historical novels and adventure tales earned global renown. Best known for The Three Musketeers, The Count of Monte Cristo, and other swashbuckling epics, Dumas crafted stories filled with daring heroes, dramatic twists, and vivid historical backdrops. His works, often serialized and immensely popular with the public, helped shape the modern adventure genre and remain enduring staples of world literature.
Dumas was the son of Thomas-Alexandre Dumas, a celebrated general in Revolutionary France and the highest-ranking man of African descent in a European army at the time. His father’s early death left the family in poverty, but Dumas’s upbringing was nonetheless marked by strong personal ambition and a deep admiration for his father’s achievements. He moved to Paris as a young man and began his literary career writing for the theatre, quickly rising to prominence in the Romantic movement with successful plays like Henri III et sa cour and Antony.
In the 1840s, Dumas turned increasingly toward prose fiction, particularly serialized novels, which reached vast audiences through French newspapers. His collaboration with Auguste Maquet, a skilled plotter and historian, proved fruitful. While Maquet drafted outlines and conducted research, Dumas infused the narratives with flair, dialogue, and color. The result was a string of literary triumphs, including The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo, both published in 1844. These novels exemplified Dumas’s flair for suspenseful pacing, memorable characters, and grand themes of justice, loyalty, and revenge.
The D’Artagnan Romances—The Three Musketeers, Twenty Years After, and The Vicomte of Bragelonne—cemented his fame. They follow the adventures of the titular Gascon hero and his comrades Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, blending historical fact and fiction into richly imagined narratives. The Count of Monte Cristo offered a darker, more introspective tale of betrayal and retribution, with intricate plotting and a deeply philosophical core.
Dumas was also active in journalism and theater. He founded the Théâtre Historique in Paris, which staged dramatizations of his own novels. A prolific and energetic writer, he is estimated to have written or co-written over 100,000 pages of fiction, plays, memoirs, travel books, and essays. He also had a strong interest in food and published a massive culinary encyclopedia, Le Grand Dictionnaire de cuisine, filled with recipes, anecdotes, and reflections on gastronomy.
Despite his enormous success, Dumas was frequently plagued by financial troubles. He led a lavish lifestyle, building the ornate Château de Monte-Cristo near Paris, employing large staffs, and supporting many friends and relatives. His generosity and appetite for life often outpaced his income, leading to mounting debts. Still, his creative drive rarely waned.
Dumas’s mixed-race background was a source of both pride and tension in his life. He was outspoken about his heritage and used his platform to address race and injustice. In his novel Georges, he explored issues of colonialism and identity through a Creole protagonist. Though he encountered racism, he refused to be silenced, famously replying to a racial insult by pointing to his ancestry and achievements with dignity and wit.
Later in life, Dumas continued writing and traveling, spending time in Belgium, Italy, and Russia. He supported nationalist causes, particularly Italian unification, and even founded a newspaper to advocate for Giuseppe Garibaldi. Though his popularity waned somewhat in his final years, his literary legacy grew steadily. He wrote in a style that was accessible, entertaining, and emotionally reso
Alexandre Dumas père, born Alexandre Dumas Davy de la Pailleterie, was a towering figure of 19th-century French literature whose historical novels and adventure tales earned global renown. Best known for The Three Musketeers, The Count of Monte Cristo, and other swashbuckling epics, Dumas crafted stories filled with daring heroes, dramatic twists, and vivid historical backdrops. His works, often serialized and immensely popular with the public, helped shape the modern adventure genre and remain enduring staples of world literature.
Dumas was the son of Thomas-Alexandre Dumas, a celebrated general in Revolutionary France and the highest-ranking man of African descent in a European army at the time. His father’s early death left the family in poverty, but Dumas’s upbringing was nonetheless marked by strong personal ambition and a deep admiration for his father’s achievements. He moved to Paris as a young man and began his literary career writing for the theatre, quickly rising to prominence in the Romantic movement with successful plays like Henri III et sa cour and Antony.
In the 1840s, Dumas turned increasingly toward prose fiction, particularly serialized novels, which reached vast audiences through French newspapers. His collaboration with Auguste Maquet, a skilled plotter and historian, proved fruitful. While Maquet drafted outlines and conducted research, Dumas infused the narratives with flair, dialogue, and color. The result was a string of literary triumphs, including The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo, both published in 1844. These novels exemplified Dumas’s flair for suspenseful pacing, memorable characters, and grand themes of justice, loyalty, and revenge.
The D’Artagnan Romances—The Three Musketeers, Twenty Years After, and The Vicomte of Bragelonne—cemented his fame. They follow the adventures of the titular Gascon hero and his comrades Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, blending historical fact and fiction into richly imagined narratives. The Count of Monte Cristo offered a darker, more introspective tale of betrayal and retribution, with intricate plotting and a deeply philosophical core.
Dumas was also active in journalism and theater. He founded the Théâtre Historique in Paris, which staged dramatizations of his own novels. A prolific and energetic writer, he is estimated to have written or co-written over 100,000 pages of fiction, plays, memoirs, travel books, and essays. He also had a strong interest in food and published a massive culinary encyclopedia, Le Grand Dictionnaire de cuisine, filled with recipes, anecdotes, and reflections on gastronomy.
Despite his enormous success, Dumas was frequently plagued by financial troubles. He led a lavish lifestyle, building the ornate Château de Monte-Cristo near Paris, employing large staffs, and supporting many friends and relatives. His generosity and appetite for life often outpaced his income, leading to mounting debts. Still, his creative drive rarely waned.
Dumas’s mixed-race background was a source of both pride and tension in his life. He was outspoken about his heritage and used his platform to address race and injustice. In his novel Georges, he explored issues of colonialism and identity through a Creole protagonist. Though he encountered racism, he refused to be silenced, famously replying to a racial insult by pointing to his ancestry and achievements with dignity and wit.
Later in life, Dumas continued writing and traveling, spending time in Belgium, Italy, and Russia. He supported nationalist causes, particularly Italian unification, and even founded a newspaper to advocate for Giuseppe Garibaldi. Though his popularity waned somewhat in his final years, his literary legacy grew steadily. He wrote in a style that was accessible, entertaining, and emotionally reso
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 10, 2025
It’s a little sad how the third “book” (or four books) of this series get truncated but it is a bit of a meandering mess narratively speaking. The titular character for example barely shows up in the story. That being said it continues the level of excellence set by the previous two instalments and does a great job of establishing Louis XIV as the first monarch we really care about.
June 10, 2023
3 ☆
Raoul 😔🩷
I need to re-read the whole d'Artagnan romances some day.
Raoul 😔🩷
I need to re-read the whole d'Artagnan romances some day.
September 8, 2023
I read this entirely on my trip to Iceland, reading it on airplanes, in coffee shops, in hostels, and in my tent. I frequently found myself desiring to sit awhile and return to the continued adventures of d’Artagnan and company, even thinking of it occasionally while backpacking.
This is only part 1 of the 4 part version of the final book of the Three Musketeers series. I don’t think it’s quite as exciting and filled with intrigue as the initial title in the series, but I did find it entertaining and less political than the second (a plus!).
Dumas follows one plot line through to completion then quickly starts another with references to the first. I think it’s evident that Dumas is attempting to drag out tiny plots for serialization profits and extend the intrigue of d’Artagnan and his escapades into an evolving and everlasting adventure. I’m sure there’s a huge culmination awaiting me at the end, but the ‘to be continued’ nature of the end of this one means i’ll just have to pick up the next as soon as I can.
Focused mainly on d’Artagnan and not a ton on the rest of the original musketeers. I imagine the later parts pull all back together in another “the gang reconvenes” storyline but that hasn’t yet happened in the first 75 chapters.
I’ll always recommend Dumas if intrigue, gallantry, political drama, and exciting chapters are your thing. 4/5 for Part 1 of Vicomte de Bragelonne: the Vicomte of Bragelonne!
This is only part 1 of the 4 part version of the final book of the Three Musketeers series. I don’t think it’s quite as exciting and filled with intrigue as the initial title in the series, but I did find it entertaining and less political than the second (a plus!).
Dumas follows one plot line through to completion then quickly starts another with references to the first. I think it’s evident that Dumas is attempting to drag out tiny plots for serialization profits and extend the intrigue of d’Artagnan and his escapades into an evolving and everlasting adventure. I’m sure there’s a huge culmination awaiting me at the end, but the ‘to be continued’ nature of the end of this one means i’ll just have to pick up the next as soon as I can.
Focused mainly on d’Artagnan and not a ton on the rest of the original musketeers. I imagine the later parts pull all back together in another “the gang reconvenes” storyline but that hasn’t yet happened in the first 75 chapters.
I’ll always recommend Dumas if intrigue, gallantry, political drama, and exciting chapters are your thing. 4/5 for Part 1 of Vicomte de Bragelonne: the Vicomte of Bragelonne!
October 26, 2014
[J. Walker McSpadden translation, Charles Scribner's Sons 1926]
This is volume 1 of the third book of the D'Artagnan Romances. I now understand why the structure of this last book is published in different forms. Apparently, each of the three volumes is split into two parts. Essentially, this first volume, entitled "The Vicomte de Bragelonne", is made of two separate novels that involve the same characters -- though the Four Musketeers are never together at the same time.
I enjoyed this book much more than "Twenty Years After" (the second book of the D'Artagnan Romances). Perhaps it was because I liked the translation better, but I think it was because it was not so mired down into French politics that I have trouble following. Part 1 involves the Restoration of Charles II. It turns out that Athos and D'Artagnan were involved, and it is quite exciting.
Part 2 was not as exciting to me. It involves a lot of French politics (not as difficult as in "Twenty Years After"), like who controls the King's money and who is in the favor of the King or different ladies. Nonetheless, some rivalries and romance are set up for the continuation of the story.
I look forward to reading the next volume, "Louise de la Valliere".
This is volume 1 of the third book of the D'Artagnan Romances. I now understand why the structure of this last book is published in different forms. Apparently, each of the three volumes is split into two parts. Essentially, this first volume, entitled "The Vicomte de Bragelonne", is made of two separate novels that involve the same characters -- though the Four Musketeers are never together at the same time.
I enjoyed this book much more than "Twenty Years After" (the second book of the D'Artagnan Romances). Perhaps it was because I liked the translation better, but I think it was because it was not so mired down into French politics that I have trouble following. Part 1 involves the Restoration of Charles II. It turns out that Athos and D'Artagnan were involved, and it is quite exciting.
Part 2 was not as exciting to me. It involves a lot of French politics (not as difficult as in "Twenty Years After"), like who controls the King's money and who is in the favor of the King or different ladies. Nonetheless, some rivalries and romance are set up for the continuation of the story.
I look forward to reading the next volume, "Louise de la Valliere".
June 24, 2025
Ok, here we go. This is the right version of the book in the correct number of volumes. Same edition? Probably not.
March 1, 2017
***This review is for the entire D'Artagnan Romance series (The Three Musketeers, Twenty Years After, The Vicomte de Bragelonne, Ten Years Later, Louise de la Valliere, and The Man in the Iron Mask).***
The entire D'Artagnan Romance series is well over a million words long and spans several volumes and forty years in the lives of its main characters, the famous musketeers. The prodigious Alexandre Dumas wrote this epic tale to be published in the serial magazines that were popular during his day, submitting weekly installments which stretched over several years. This unique structure greatly informs his writing style. Because each serial installment had to captivate his readers, the action begins on the first page and continues almost without interruption-- readers weren't interested in overlong descriptions or details, and no one was critiquing on the basis of thematic developments.
In addition to his mad-cap writing style, Dumas relies heavily on character archetypes to allow his readers to quickly understand the characters and their motivations. If this sometimes led to rewriting history or over-simplifying his historical characters, it also led to a cohesive story that created both heroes and villains that live on today. The famous portraits of Cardinals Richelieu and Mazarin have shaped the way generations have perceived these complex individuals, despite the fact that their actual actions and motives were complex and nuanced. And has a more perfect villain than Milady ever been created?
Of course, Dumas' most famous and lovable characters form the famous quartet. The original Three Musketeers, Athos, Aramis, and my favorite-- Porthos, quickly adopt D'Artagnan into their intimate group and form a friendship that spans decades. These characters as well rely on simple archetypes: Athos is the honorable, wise father figure, Aramis is the crafty schemer who never reveals his hand even to his friends, D'Artagnan is the resourceful, quick-witted type, and Porthos is a bit simple and vain, but is always the muscle of the group. Throughout the entire series, these characters develop in line with their archetypes and consequently, are uncomplicated and completely lovable. ***SPOILER***
(Except for Aramis, whom I have never forgiven for causing Porthos' death.)
Each book in the series is madcap adventure with both subtle and sometimes blatant humor. Louise de la Valliere gushes courtly romance and intrigue, but for the most part, although all of the musketeers are portrayed as ladies' men, love and its trappings play a relatively insignificant role in the development of the story. Rather, the focus is on the platonic love between the four best friends, who remain devoted to one another despite their lives taking different directions over the years. The characters became my friends and will stick in my mind always and forever.
The entire D'Artagnan Romance series is well over a million words long and spans several volumes and forty years in the lives of its main characters, the famous musketeers. The prodigious Alexandre Dumas wrote this epic tale to be published in the serial magazines that were popular during his day, submitting weekly installments which stretched over several years. This unique structure greatly informs his writing style. Because each serial installment had to captivate his readers, the action begins on the first page and continues almost without interruption-- readers weren't interested in overlong descriptions or details, and no one was critiquing on the basis of thematic developments.
In addition to his mad-cap writing style, Dumas relies heavily on character archetypes to allow his readers to quickly understand the characters and their motivations. If this sometimes led to rewriting history or over-simplifying his historical characters, it also led to a cohesive story that created both heroes and villains that live on today. The famous portraits of Cardinals Richelieu and Mazarin have shaped the way generations have perceived these complex individuals, despite the fact that their actual actions and motives were complex and nuanced. And has a more perfect villain than Milady ever been created?
Of course, Dumas' most famous and lovable characters form the famous quartet. The original Three Musketeers, Athos, Aramis, and my favorite-- Porthos, quickly adopt D'Artagnan into their intimate group and form a friendship that spans decades. These characters as well rely on simple archetypes: Athos is the honorable, wise father figure, Aramis is the crafty schemer who never reveals his hand even to his friends, D'Artagnan is the resourceful, quick-witted type, and Porthos is a bit simple and vain, but is always the muscle of the group. Throughout the entire series, these characters develop in line with their archetypes and consequently, are uncomplicated and completely lovable. ***SPOILER***
(Except for Aramis, whom I have never forgiven for causing Porthos' death.)
Each book in the series is madcap adventure with both subtle and sometimes blatant humor. Louise de la Valliere gushes courtly romance and intrigue, but for the most part, although all of the musketeers are portrayed as ladies' men, love and its trappings play a relatively insignificant role in the development of the story. Rather, the focus is on the platonic love between the four best friends, who remain devoted to one another despite their lives taking different directions over the years. The characters became my friends and will stick in my mind always and forever.
July 30, 2011
The edition I read ended the series of D'Artagnan romances. Other versions may not include the last third of this version which includes the edition titled "The Man in The Iron Mask". This being the last in the series, I knew I would go through withdrawals when I finished. I've been reading the series, starting with "The Three Musketeers" since the beginning of this year. It's as if I've been living with D'Artagnan, Athos, Porthos and Aramis. Withdrawal was not near what I experienced when finished; it was more like depression.
I understand Alexandre Dumas wrote most of the D'Artagnan romances in serial form over a period of years. Editors have done a good job translating and combining them into full books. Depending on which editions you get, there are from 4 to 6 books in the series. And Dumas is not one to write short books. His stories are intricate and descriptive. The reader needs to be comfortable with long descriptions, conversations and action. If you love Russian novels, you will love Dumas. The time it takes to read Dumas is offset by the rich tapestries he weaves through his prose. It's a full seven-course dinner and well worth the price of admission.
The best thing about the eBook versions of these books are that they can be found for free and many are illustrated. I began reading Dumas with "The Count of Monte Cristo". That book immediately went into my top ten all time favorite list, easily moving others down the line. The D'Artagnan Romances are as good as The Count and introduce you to the four Musketeers when they are young in the early 1600's. And if you read them all, you will live through old-age with them. I can't recommend these books highly enough, especially to those readers who appreciate old-world writing.
I understand Alexandre Dumas wrote most of the D'Artagnan romances in serial form over a period of years. Editors have done a good job translating and combining them into full books. Depending on which editions you get, there are from 4 to 6 books in the series. And Dumas is not one to write short books. His stories are intricate and descriptive. The reader needs to be comfortable with long descriptions, conversations and action. If you love Russian novels, you will love Dumas. The time it takes to read Dumas is offset by the rich tapestries he weaves through his prose. It's a full seven-course dinner and well worth the price of admission.
The best thing about the eBook versions of these books are that they can be found for free and many are illustrated. I began reading Dumas with "The Count of Monte Cristo". That book immediately went into my top ten all time favorite list, easily moving others down the line. The D'Artagnan Romances are as good as The Count and introduce you to the four Musketeers when they are young in the early 1600's. And if you read them all, you will live through old-age with them. I can't recommend these books highly enough, especially to those readers who appreciate old-world writing.
April 20, 2021
If you loved the other d’Artagnan Romances then there’s nothing to stop you loving this one. It is long, yes, but it’s worth it.
The characters are fantastic and they’re what really made me love this story. D’Artagnan is fantastic as always and I think better for being more mature. Athos is noble and fatherly, Aramis is scheming and Porthos is being Porthos. Raoul’s friendships (Raoul is Athos’s son who we met in Twenty Years After) with the Comte de Guiche and the Duke of Buckingham were lovely and, frankly, Guiche and Raoul were a much better pair than any of the romances in the book.
The plot is a little cliche but there is some great writing in there and the translation seemed really good. The different plot threads made for a varied story and I would love to see a faithful adaptation of the books in a TV or film series. Some plot threads didn’t seem quite tied up by the end but, on the whole, the ending was satisfying.
I think it’s a shame people don’t read this far into the series because they are really good, and, for classics, pretty damn exciting.
Just some of my favourite quotes :)
“I am the son of the Comte de la Fere, my lord, and I never threaten, because I strike first.” - Raoul
“...for such a friend, De Wardes, believe me, I am like fire itself.” - Guiche
‘A flash of lightning without thunder awakens nobody.’
‘A man may be ambitious of lying in a lion’s den, but can hardly hope to sleep there quietly.’
‘“In my family,” added Buckingham, “you are aware, M. de Bragelonne, we die to save our friends.” “I know it well, duke,” replied Raoul.’ - Buckingham and Raoul
“If I be not master of myself, I at least will be so oft those who insult me.” - Louis
The characters are fantastic and they’re what really made me love this story. D’Artagnan is fantastic as always and I think better for being more mature. Athos is noble and fatherly, Aramis is scheming and Porthos is being Porthos. Raoul’s friendships (Raoul is Athos’s son who we met in Twenty Years After) with the Comte de Guiche and the Duke of Buckingham were lovely and, frankly, Guiche and Raoul were a much better pair than any of the romances in the book.
The plot is a little cliche but there is some great writing in there and the translation seemed really good. The different plot threads made for a varied story and I would love to see a faithful adaptation of the books in a TV or film series. Some plot threads didn’t seem quite tied up by the end but, on the whole, the ending was satisfying.
I think it’s a shame people don’t read this far into the series because they are really good, and, for classics, pretty damn exciting.
Just some of my favourite quotes :)
“I am the son of the Comte de la Fere, my lord, and I never threaten, because I strike first.” - Raoul
“...for such a friend, De Wardes, believe me, I am like fire itself.” - Guiche
‘A flash of lightning without thunder awakens nobody.’
‘A man may be ambitious of lying in a lion’s den, but can hardly hope to sleep there quietly.’
‘“In my family,” added Buckingham, “you are aware, M. de Bragelonne, we die to save our friends.” “I know it well, duke,” replied Raoul.’ - Buckingham and Raoul
“If I be not master of myself, I at least will be so oft those who insult me.” - Louis
July 10, 2015
Given that this is only 1 part of a 4 part book it never-the-less still ends very abruptly. I would have liked at least a little resolution! Also this edition of the d'Artagnan Romances is quite slow with no fighting of any sort and just long chapters of discussion or description. Charles II of England is restored to his throne, but that is the one "exciting" part of the book. The rest of the book seems just set-up for things that will come later. Also the name of this section really makes no sense. Raul is a character in the book and he has attained his majority, but plays a very minor part and it is odd that the entire book is named after him.
December 31, 2021
Two decades have passed since the famous swordsmen triumphed over Cardinal Richelieu and Milady in The Three Musketeers. Time has weakened their resolve and dispersed their loyalties. But treasons and stratagems still cry out for justice: civil war endangers the throne of France, while in England, Cromwell threatens to send Charles I to the scaffold. Dumas brings his immortal quartet out of retirement to cross swords with time, the malevolence of men, and the forces of history. But their greatest test is the titanic struggle with the son of Milady who wears the face of evil.
May 19, 2020
One of the most interesting book in the series, not only for the historical setting, that get my reading heart every time, but also the adventures and turnarounds and casual lucky encounter of the characters.
The level of sarcasm on Dumas writing makes me laugh so much out loud that it's a mystery why the neighbors didn't called an ambulance for me. It took me twelve days to listening to the 23 hours, and if that's not a good recommendation, I don't know what is!
The level of sarcasm on Dumas writing makes me laugh so much out loud that it's a mystery why the neighbors didn't called an ambulance for me. It took me twelve days to listening to the 23 hours, and if that's not a good recommendation, I don't know what is!
February 8, 2017
I think I liked it, although there were some quite long periods that I'm not sure why is in the story. They don't really seem to have any point to the story itself, and only makes it a "hevier" and longer read than necessary.
Howerver, I am determined to read all the books! but I will be more selective in what i skim through, and what I read thoroughly.
Howerver, I am determined to read all the books! but I will be more selective in what i skim through, and what I read thoroughly.
March 27, 2015
Excellent, entertaining read. Love Project Gutenberg's translations & the way they break up this series (as there are several different ways it has been split, often causing confusion) The translation for this segment was done by John Bursey & he did a very thorough & detailed job, including all the text (much better than other translations)
January 3, 2020
The book starts out slow enough to make you wonder if worth reading. Then the historical novel packs on layer after layer of historical action, ardor and flowered prose.
Well worth the effort and some of Dumas' best accomplishment.
Well worth the effort and some of Dumas' best accomplishment.
March 26, 2020
The sequels to The Three Musketeers are increasingly serialized and suffer from abrupt endings and the lack of resolution to story threads. Nevertheless, the characters drive these books and while the sequels are inferior to the first book they are still worthwhile reading.
June 4, 2007
It kind of drives me crazy how Dumas spends 3 or 4 chapters building up a new character, just to never mention him again. But overall, a good read.
February 11, 2010
Can not get over the fact that the D'artagnan Romances are so good, Each better than the last.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews