First I must admit that even though I've seen a few movie renditions, this is the first time I've read this book. Furthermore, this is the first book I've read by Dumas…and it is kind of a strange place to start considering this is the ending of one of his famous series.The first thing I noticed about the writing was that it was VERY detailed. Not only in terms of descriptions but also in terms of the character and political development. I quickly found myself overwhelmed with dozens of names, roles and relationships (personal and political) throughout France and neighboring countries. It was dizzying to try to keep them all straight, especially considering a number of similar names as well as the habit of referring to some people by different names at different times (sometimes by their common name, sometimes by their political/professional title). After a while, I sank in and was able to keep at least the principal characters straight. and I got caught up in the intriguing machinations that were unfolding.Having seen two movie versions, I felt like I had a good feel for what to expect from the plot. However, it quickly became apparent that the movie versions I've seen (and from what I can tell, this is true of most of the movie versions out there) are rather different from the novel.Interestingly, the story of the "man in the iron mask" is only a small portion of the overall plot of this particular book. And that plot segment unravels itself through the first third of the book and then disappears completely. In the movie versions, the way the "iron mask" plot ends is strikingly different from what happens in the book. The remaining half+ of the book has nothing to do with the "man in the iron mask" (except for the consequences of the plot) and instead follows the famous musketeers to the ends of their careers/lives.It was still adventurous and a lot of fun…but was different from what I expected. So, now that I know that I shouldn't compare the book to the movie at all, and feeling more comfortable with the characters and plot…I am able to look back over the book as a whole in an entirely different light. As I said, the writing was very detailed. In some cases it felt like the details were a littler superfluous and over the top, but mostly I found it very immersive to be provided with that level of detail. Some of the characters felt a bit stereotypical but the main characters were unique and intriguing. They had significant depth which provided them with believable motivations to their various actions and dialog. The one exception I saw was the prince in the scene where he was anticipating D'Artangan's every action. We had previously been given to expect the prince to be incapable of strategic planning or foresight and suddenly we find him anticipating the motivations and reactions of a thoughtful and strategic man. To me, that was a bit of a stretch. I can discount it a bit based on the other character who was feeding the prince with various ideas and can thus attribute the insight to this other character (being vague to try and avoid spoilers).I really found myself enjoying the overall story. The "man in the iron mask" portion was very interesting and fun. I was shocked to see it end so different from the movies, but it felt more natural and believable. Then to have so much adventure after that plot arc, I had a ton of fun. While the intrigue and machinations of carrying out the "iron mask" plot were fun and intriguing, I'd heard/scene them so often that they became commonplace. Thus, the adventure that happened after the "iron mask" was fresh to me and that made it so much more fun.Overall I will admit that, if this book is any indication, Dumas is a heavy read. This book was filled with very detailed accounts of places, people, politics and other comings and goings of France. This was both a joy and a hindrance at times. There were moments when I felt bogged down by the text, but mostly I really enjoyed the vivid experience and the immense detail I was given. I probably should have started with the first book in the series ("The Three Musketeers") but I was familiar enough with the characters that it worked out all right. Even though he's a heavy read that took me a while to get through, I will definitely seek out and read more Dumas in the future.****4 out of 5 stars
I never thought I'd ever say it, but I have finally met a book whose movie I like infinitely better. Before I begin my list of complaints, I must say that I respect Dumas as a great classic writer, and I did try to just write off his style as something in the revered past. However, I could find no excuse to explain the lack of interesting plot or story. As I slogged through the 700 + pages, I kept hoping for Dumas's sake that the story would pick up, but the characters just kept talking to each other...very politely of course. One can't say anything without plugging in a "my dear monsieur."One huge issue was the man in the iron mask himself. He was probably the main reason I read this...after all, the book is named after him. I wasn't really bothered by the fact that he didn't come into the story until maybe chapter ten, but then he exited the story forever before it was even halfway through...and he never came back. (Spoiler warning) The mastermind Aramis hatches a plot to free the man in the iron mask and put him on the throne. It works perfectly, and no one is the wiser until Aramis decides to tell a minister of affairs. Why would the mastermind do such a thing? I have no idea. The result is that Aramis is forced to flee, but he comforts himself regarding the man in the iron mask's fate by saying that the man was doomed to a life of misfortune. Don't lose too much sleep, my dear Aramis. Having seen the movie, I kept waiting for the man in the iron mask to gloriously return and depose the evil king, and he never did. I suppose it was a good thing in this case that I'd seen the movie first, for I would have never wanted to watch it after reading this book. (Spoiler) Since the good king stays in an island prison for the rest of his life, the evil king stays on the throne. One good thing out of this is that King Louis slowly becomes a better king, even if some of his worse qualities remain.That leads me to a second point. The characters are on the whole thoroughly unlikable, but most of them die anyway. Going into specifics would reveal too many of the plot points, and as there are only a few littered in the pages and pages of dialogue, I won't mention them. Suffice it to say that someone basically kills himself because love has made him an idiot--and not in a good way. Another someone can't run fast enough and he dies. And Aramis is just a heartless mastermind who ruins someone's life and runs away from the mess.So I really did try to like this book. I wanted to like it, but I ended up getting most of my amusement from criticizing it. If that makes me a nuisance, read this book and then go watch the movie. You'll see what I mean.
What do You think about The Man In The Iron Mask (2003)?
I would have given this 4 stars if not for the ending. It was just full of deaths and losses that I couldn't help but compare this book to the famous loosely based adaptation Man In The Iron Mask circa 1990s which ended with the usurper Philippe being king, and only D'Artagnan sacrificing his life. Here, in the original, [spoilers below] only Aramis survived and he, too, was surprisingly almost painted as the antagonist in this story with his greed and ambitious ascent to papacy. Porthos, with his purity of heart and humor, I loved and mourned. Athos and Raoul, on the other hand, most heartbreaking, starting from their separation and their reunion in the grave. This being the final book to the Musketeer series, it's only fitting that it also include the Musketeers' death, but it really felt as if the ending could have been better and dare I say it: Happier. However, counting everything else, the dialogues, the conspiracies, were all written so well. Dumas' subtle humor is ever present. The honor of the men in this story is so refreshing and yet also hardly believable. Do men as honorable as Fourquet and D'Artagnan really exist in real life? I surely hope so. All in all, I liked the story. I'll just be needing a chick-flick to lift my mood and make me forget the tragic ending of my heroes.
—Grace Viray
Homme au masque de fer = The man in the Iron mask, Alexandre Dumasعنوان: مردی در نقاب آهنین؛ نویسنده: الکساندر دوما؛ مترجم: علی فاطمیان؛ مشخصات نشر: تهران، نشر چشم انداز : وزارت فرهنگ و ارشاد، سازمان چاپ و انتشارات؛ 1379، در 240 ص، مصور؛ شابک: 9644220730؛ موضوع: داستانهای نویسندگان فرانسوی قرن 19 م، فرانسه ، تاریخ ، لوئی چهاردهم 1643 تا 1715 میلادی
—Ahmad Sharabiani
It pains me to write this because I am, at heart, a print person. My paycheck depends on people wanting and buying printed materials. But this is one instance where the movie far outshines the book and I'm glad there was a screenwriter with a vision to see beyond this dismal book.I had just read Three Musketeers by Dumas when I read this book. Perhaps it was the pleasure I took in this early book that spoiled Man in the Iron Mask.Man in the Iron Mask starts out well. There is all the chivalry and twice the intrigue of Dumas' earlier works. The dialog is fantastic with politics twisting every meaning and clearly communicating the rancor of the time. There is a fantastic scene with Porthos, Aramis and the tailor that made me laugh aloud. I truly like Dartangan, for he displays chivalry and honor even when ordered to do things against his honor.Then the book starts to go downhill. Characters that one would think were essential to the book disappear midway through and are never heard from again. Aramis becomes less and less sympathetic until we finally view him as merely a court toady who cared little for the sacrifice of his friends.There are moments in this book; moments of passion, of grief, of love. But they are merely moments. Eventually the book becomes so ponderous, one must force oneself to continue. There are few characters to like in this book. They get themselves into situations for stupid reasons and are too self-centered to get out of them. Sacrifices are made for foolish reasons.
—Bridgette Redman
