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From Modern Library


Long out of print in America, Alexandre Dumas’s most daring narrative is now available in this major new translation by Tina A. Kover. Filled with intrigue, romance, and deadly vengeance, Georges is the story of a wealthy mulatto boy who is driven from his island home by racist landowners. Returning to Mauritius as an accomplished young man, Georges pits his strength against a powerful plantation owner, leading a dramatic slave uprising and claiming the heart of a beautiful white woman. Georges stands apart as the only book by Dumas that explores the potent subject of race.

Reader’s Guide

1. Dumas opens the novel advertising the île de France as “the Promised Land . . . [a] land of fertile fields, bountiful harvests, and endless springs and summers bursting with flowers and fruit. . . . A veritable Aphrodite, born of sea foam to reign over a celestial empire” (p. 5). Why do you think he chooses such an embellished tone to describe the setting?

2. As Werner Sollors points out in his Introduction, Alexandre Dumas never visited the île de France in his lifetime; his grandmother, however, had been a slave on Haiti, an island with similar mixed demographics and the site of history’s most famous slave rebellion. Why do you think Dumas did not choose to set his novel there?

3. When Georges goes abroad to study in Paris, he is popular, wealthy, and well loved. Why is he treated so differently in Europe than on the island? Why does he return to the île de France?

4. When Jacques finally returns to the île de France, Georges expresses some concern upon learning his brother’s profession: “Naturally, Georges’s European-educated heart had given a lurch of regret when he learned that his brother was a trader in human flesh,” but their father is less concerned: “As for Pierre Munier, an islander born and bred, he did not give his elder son’s profession a second thought” (p. 138). How do Pierre and Jacques reconcile their own mistreatment as mulattos with their position as slave owners and even traders?

5. Though the focus of the racial tensions in the novel revolve around blacks and whites, the île de France is home to a surprising number of ethnic groups, including Muslim and Hindu Indians, Chinese, Arabs, Malagache, and Malays. How would you describe Dumas’s characterization of some of the other ethnic characters, particularly Miko-Miko and Antonio the Malay?

6. Dumas sets up nearly identical scenes between Nazim and Laïza and between Jacques and Georges at different parts in the novel. In each, one brother tries to convince the other to flee with him, but the other brother refuses. Why do you think he included these parallel scenes? How do the pairs of brothers compare to each other?

7. Sara seems to be a typical romantic heroine—vulnerable and in need of rescue. But she also shows strength and enlightenment. What surprised you about Sara’s character? What, if anything, do you think sets her apart from other heroines? How important for her characterization is the contrast with the figure of the governess Henriette?

8. In her Foreword, Jamaica Kincaid portrays Georges as a very conflicted character: “Georges is not a slave but he is descended from slaves; Georges is not white but he could pass for white; Georges is not an entirely free man (he is partly descended from the enslaved) but his manners in every way are so correct that really free men (European) cede him a place in their presence and even their society” (pp. xii–xiii). How do you think these contradictions shape Georges’s character? His motivations?

9. Why do you think Lord Murray goes through with Georges’s death sentence? How significant is their friendship to the story?

10. Several characters in the novel, including Georges, Laïza, and Lord Murray, seem to abide by a particular code of honor that others lack, particularly M. de Malmédie, Henri, and Antonio the Malay. How do you think each of these characters would define honor?

11. The publication of Georges preceded Dumas’s best-known works, the d’Artagnan trilogy, the Valois romances, and his sweeping success, The Count of Monte Cristo. How, if at all, do you think Dumas sets readers up for these longer works in Georges? What particular themes and elements of his style do you see emerging?

Just started this one. Dumas is such an amazing writer. His descriptions are so rich and detailed. I found it hard to believe that he had never actually visited Mauritius. His descriptions of it feel like actually being there.

The start of his book reminded me of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo in the way in which Dumas does seem to make the location, the Isle of France to seem almost like a character itself in giving such detailed and rich descriptions of it.

Here is some information I found about the invasion of Mauritius of which I did not really know anything about.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasion...

And some pictures I found of the Isle

http://honeymoonpackagemauritius.com/...

http://www.expressionsholidays.co.uk/...

http://traveltheeworld.files.wordpres...

Silver wrote: "The start of his book reminded me of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo in the way in which Dumas does seem to make the location, the Isle of France to seem almo..."

Thanks for the links, Silver!

Dumas is a very talented writer, and there is some wonderful vivid prose within this story. I am enjoying the book thus far, but one thing I have noticed is that this book dose not seem to be as swashbuckling, action-packed, face paced as other works I have read by Dumas.

Georges does seem to have a bit of a slower pace than his other books,though considering the ethnic background of Dumas I do find it very interesting to be reading a book by him which deals with questions of race and racial conflict at his time.

I had wondered if Georges might in part be based upon his own life.

Silver wrote: "I had wondered if Georges might in part be based upon his own life.

I had wondered the same thing.

Diane wrote: "Silver wrote: "I had wondered if Georges might in part be based upon his own life.

I had wondered the same thing."

I haven't finished reading yet, but the reason I'm so excited to read this particular Dumas book is that I read The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, and the Real Count of Monte Cristo a couple months ago, which is the biography of Dumas' father, General Alex Dumas. The author pulled extensively from his father's life in all of his works, but the Black Count specifically stated that Georges was the most biographical (i.e. closest to his father's life). It is the only one in which the author Dumas actually addresses the issues of race that his father (and himself) dealt with.

Angie wrote: "Diane wrote: "Silver wrote: "I had wondered if Georges might in part be based upon his own life.

I had wondered the same thing."

I haven't finished reading yet, but the reason I'm so excited to r..."

I will have to add that book to my list. I am curious to learn more about his family's history.

Started this tonight. Tried to follow the first chapter's journey on a map but it didn't make sense. But the next chapters about the battle and the racism against Georges, his brother and father were interesting.

Thanks for the link, Silver. I'll be checking Mauritania's history out. I know nothing of the island, much less its history. Had to look it up on a map!

Enjoying this more and more as I go along. The history is fascinating. This is a story filled with unbelievable luck, coincidence and characters. Just going along for the ride.....

I cannot help but to wonder if Georges attraction to Sara and his statement to the Mayor that he would marry her derives at least in part from a desire to spite Henry. What greater insult to the man he has despised all his life than to take his fiancé away from him. Especially considering Henry's snobbery and prejudices about race.

Yes, Silver. I had that thought also.

I thought while reading it that Georges attraction for Sara might be a little contrary, too, Silver and Mmars. But I'm also reminded of something I read in that biography. Dumas' grandfather was a pretty worthless guy, with a couple of worthless brothers. The biographer states that one of the common themes running through Dumas' work was the fact that good children can come from terrible families/parents. That's true in the Count of Monte Cristo, too. He's gonna take out a whole family for revenge, then realizes that the daughter is a noble soul. It seems to me here that the same thing was going on -- his enemy can have a daughter who is wonderful, respectable and loveable. Maybe there's some spite in it, but there's some personal history of the author in there, too.

Angie wrote: "I thought while reading it that Georges attraction for Sara might be a little contrary, too, Silver and Mmars. But I'm also reminded of something I read in that biography. Dumas' grandfather was ..."

I can believe that Georges had a genuine attraction to Sara and I do believe that Dumas does mean to portray Sara as a good and noble person but Georges determination to marry seems driven by some desire of revenge particularly as it came right after he was snubbed by Henry at the party.