The d'Artagnan Romances, Vol 3, Part 3: The Man in the Iron Mask (version 2)


Lu par John Van Stan

(4.8 stars; 41 reviews)

Volume 3 of The d'Artagnan Romances is divided into three parts. In this, the final part, d’Artagnan’s fortune is near its height; having become the illustrious Captain of the Musketeers, he is now the chief defender of King Louis XIV. Fortune has also smiled on his three companions: Aramis is a wealthy bishop and the powerful, secret Superior General of the Jesuit Order (or “the black pope”); Athos is the premier nobleman of France; and Porthos becomes a Duke with the proud but garishly long-winded title of “du Vallon de Bracieux de Pierrefonds.” On the opposite side of fortune, we find the young Phillippe, a desolate iron-masked prisoner in the infamous Bastille who has been deprived of everything, even his true identity, and the formerly rich and powerful Superintendent of Finance, Nicholas Fouquet. Aramis dupes the good-natured Porthos and desperate Fouquet into aiding Phillippe… with disastrous consequences for all, including d’Artagnan and King Louis XIV! Dumas spares none in this conclusion. Indeed, the turn of events drive d’Artagnan to ask, “What is there left for man after youth, love, glory, friendship, strength, and wealth have disappeared?” His answer, a true Gascon to the end, does provides some inspiration: “Forward! still forward! When it is time, God will tell me, as he foretold the others.” - Summary by jvanstan (30 hr 6 min)

Chapitres

Two old friends 41:30 Lu par John Van Stan
Wherein may be seen that a bargain which cannot be made with one person, can be… 29:20 Lu par John Van Stan
The skin of the bear 17:05 Lu par John Van Stan
An interview with the Queen Mother 25:10 Lu par John Van Stan
Two friends 18:20 Lu par John Van Stan
How Jean de la Fontaine came to write his first tale 11:05 Lu par John Van Stan
La Fontaine in the character of a negotiator 17:50 Lu par John Van Stan
Madame de Belliere's plate and diamonds 9:40 Lu par John Van Stan
M. de Mazarin's receipt 22:05 Lu par John Van Stan
Monsieur Colbert's rough draft 26:15 Lu par John Van Stan
In which the author thinks it is high time to return to the Vicomte de Bragelon… 14:50 Lu par John Van Stan
Bragelonne continues his inquiries 14:10 Lu par John Van Stan
Two jealousies 13:15 Lu par John Van Stan
A domiciliary visit 17:40 Lu par John Van Stan
Porthos's plan of action 20:15 Lu par John Van Stan
The change of residence, the trap-door, and the portrait 25:55 Lu par John Van Stan
Rivals in politics 13:45 Lu par John Van Stan
Rivals in love 18:00 Lu par John Van Stan
King and noble 19:05 Lu par John Van Stan
After the storm 13:45 Lu par John Van Stan
Heu! Miser! 10:35 Lu par John Van Stan
Wounds within wounds 14:30 Lu par John Van Stan
What Raoul had guessed 14:20 Lu par John Van Stan
Three guests astonished to find themselves at supper together 12:55 Lu par John Van Stan
What took place at the Louvre during the supper at the Bastile 19:35 Lu par John Van Stan
Political rivals 18:30 Lu par John Van Stan
In which Porthos is convinced without having understood anything 15:25 Lu par John Van Stan
M. de Baisemeaux's "Society" 20:20 Lu par John Van Stan
The prisoner (part 1) 41:40 Lu par John Van Stan
The prisoner (part 2) 27:40 Lu par John Van Stan
How Mouston had become fatter without giving Porthos notice thereof 20:45 Lu par John Van Stan
Who Messire Jean Percerin was 15:20 Lu par John Van Stan
The patterns 22:40 Lu par John Van Stan
Where, probably, Moliere obtained his first idea of the Bourgeois Gentilhomme 15:15 Lu par John Van Stan
The bee-hive, the bees, and the honey 23:00 Lu par John Van Stan
Another supper at the Bastile 18:40 Lu par John Van Stan
The general of the order 24:15 Lu par John Van Stan
The tempter 23:50 Lu par John Van Stan
Crown and tiara 21:40 Lu par John Van Stan
The Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte 13:40 Lu par John Van Stan
The wine of Melun 13:15 Lu par John Van Stan
Nectar and ambrosia 11:10 Lu par John Van Stan
A gascon, and a gascon-and-a-half 33:35 Lu par John Van Stan
Colbert 16:10 Lu par John Van Stan
Jealousy 16:45 Lu par John Van Stan
High treason 24:15 Lu par John Van Stan
A night at the Bastile 17:45 Lu par John Van Stan
The shadow of M. Fouquet 41:20 Lu par John Van Stan
The Morning 20:10 Lu par John Van Stan
The King's friend 43:50 Lu par John Van Stan
Showing how the countersign was respected at the Bastile 20:50 Lu par John Van Stan
The King's gratitude 23:40 Lu par John Van Stan
The false King 25:55 Lu par John Van Stan
In which Porthos thinks he is pursuing a Duchy 13:10 Lu par John Van Stan
The last adieux 13:50 Lu par John Van Stan
Monsieur de Beaufort 20:40 Lu par John Van Stan
Preparations for Departure 20:50 Lu par John Van Stan
Planchet's inventory 13:30 Lu par John Van Stan
The inventory of M. de Beaufort 15:00 Lu par John Van Stan
The silver dish 18:30 Lu par John Van Stan
Captive and jailers 24:08 Lu par John Van Stan
Promises 30:15 Lu par John Van Stan
Among women 21:15 Lu par John Van Stan
The last supper 19:20 Lu par John Van Stan
In M. Colbert's Carriage 21:40 Lu par John Van Stan
The two lighters 19:20 Lu par John Van Stan
Friendly advice 15:30 Lu par John Van Stan
How the King, Louis XIV, played his little part 22:45 Lu par John Van Stan
The white horse and the black 18:55 Lu par John Van Stan
In which the squirrel falls--the adder flies 24:05 Lu par John Van Stan
Belle-Ile-en-Mer 25:20 Lu par John Van Stan
Explanations by Aramis 28:20 Lu par John Van Stan
Result of the ideas of the King, and the ideas of d'Artagnan 6:35 Lu par John Van Stan
The ancestors of Porthos 11:40 Lu par John Van Stan
The son of Biscarrat 16:05 Lu par John Van Stan
The Grotto of Locmaria 15:55 Lu par John Van Stan
The Grotto 20:40 Lu par John Van Stan
An Homeric Song 13:30 Lu par John Van Stan
The Death of a Titan! 16:55 Lu par John Van Stan
Porthos's epitaph 17:19 Lu par John Van Stan
M. de Gesvres's Round 14:35 Lu par John Van Stan
King Louis XIV 22:05 Lu par John Van Stan
M. Fouquet's friends 17:15 Lu par John Van Stan
Porthos's will 14:15 Lu par John Van Stan
The old age of Athos 14:25 Lu par John Van Stan
Athos's vision 16:00 Lu par John Van Stan
The Angel of Death 13:44 Lu par John Van Stan
The Bulletin 14:50 Lu par John Van Stan
The last canto of the poem 16:35 Lu par John Van Stan
Epilogue (Part 1) 48:55 Lu par John Van Stan
Epilogue (Part 2) 16:05 Lu par John Van Stan

Critiques


(5 stars)

Upon finishing every part of The dArtagnan romances, I'm both sad and amazed. Sad because it's over, amazed about what an incredible and exciting ride this story has been . it's been part of my life for the last two months and I can safely say this series makes it into my top 5 favorite texts of all time.

UNEXPECTED POWER FROM THE AUTHOR


(5 stars)

After spending many hours with these four musketeers I feel that I have lost close friends. Dumas showed a powerful side in his poignant descriptions of Porthos, Athos, and d'Artagnan. The marvelous stories in this epic were surely enhanced by the superb reading and voicing of John Van Stam.

great reading, ok story line


(3.5 stars)

5 stars for John Van Stan. I've listened to all the 3 musketeers books and John definitely did the best job. I wish Part 2 was available because it was painful to listen to that by other readers. As for the story is like all the others. It has many fantastic chapters but unfortunately there are so many that should just be removed. If you've watched the movie and never read the book than it will be a shock to you as it was too me.

The Finale


(5 stars)

Incredible job by John Van Stan! He is, in my opinion, the best way to listen to this series. He makes a different voice for each character, which really helps the casual listener to tell who is speaking. He does a great job presenting the story, and aside from some slight mispronunciations, it is perfect. I applaud you, mr. Van Stan!

Tremendous Narration!


(5 stars)

I read this in the 8th grade, and it began a life long love of the Author, Alexandre Dumas. John Van Stan must have some theater background, for his voices are articulated with such emotion and fervor, a genuine artist, not merely a narrator, a character actor of the written word. This is well worth your time, I assure you!