Mondays Book Talk - The Man in the Iron Mask

Written by Ben Kesp

The Man in the Iron Mask by Alexandre Dumas 

One day while browsing in my local book store, I happened to pick up one of the Collins Classics - The Man in the Iron Mask. Not having read the previous adventures of the three Musketeers I decided to give this one a read. The book is the final instalment for the Musketeers, D’Artagnan, Porthos, Aramis and Athos and I am sure brings a suitable end for any fan of the Musketeer trilogy. Having said this, you do not necessarily have to read the previous books to enjoy this instalment. 

Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870) was contemporary of the French novelist Victor Hugo. Dumas genre was adventurous romanticism. His works include the three novels about D’Artagnan, (The Three Musketeers that concludes with The Man in the Iron Mask), The Count of Monte Cristo and The Corsican Brothers.

The Man in the Iron Mask written in 1850 is inspired by the true story of a mysterious prisoner who was held during the reign of King Louis XIV of France. The prisoner was held captive for thirty four years and always wore a mask when ever visited. The name of the book may be a little misleading as the role of the prisoner in the book, a man named Philippe, twin brother to King Louis XIV of France has a very small role to play. The Man in the Iron Mask like the previous Musketeer stories were sequels published in a French magazine that were meant to be read in small segments. Reading this book in one piece is a long, complex and very detailed read. Dumas superbly created detailed characters, events and scene locations, perhaps at times overwhelming with too much dept. 

The story begins with Aramis, who is now a bishop, discovering the King’s hidden secret that his twin brother Philippe is locked in the Bastille and he sets out a plan to help him switch places with Louis XIV. In return for this Aramis is hoping that he will become pope. The plot is to be kept secret from D’Artagnan who is now Captain of the King’s Musketeers. The switch of twins however is short lived and Aramis along with Porthos who unknowingly assisted in the scheme are now rebels and flee to Belle-Isle. King Louis XIV has ordered that they are arrested and sends D’Artagnan on the mission to attack Belle-Isle. This causes conflicts for D’Artagnan to obey the King’s orders or the help his friends. He resigns his position as Captain of the King’s Musketeers. The King persuades him to stay by his side and he agrees to pardon his two friends. There are many story lines running side by side including the King’s issue with his superintendent of finances, a man named Fouquet and a story concerning the King’s love interest, La Valliere who has broken the heart of Raoul, son of Athos. The King took an interest in La Valliere and she chose the King over Raoul. Broken hearted Raoul sets out with Monsieur le Duc de Beaufort in a military campaign to Africa much to the disappointment of his father Athos. 

Dumas created a complex read with many detailed stories and characters, while providing suitable endings for the Musketeers. The book is not to be compared to the 1998 film “The Man in the Iron Mask” that only focuses on a small detail of this complex story. It is a good read to be enjoyed however it will take time and not one that is easily read one chunk.