The Vicomte de Bragelonne

Ten Years After

By: Alexandre Dumas

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 22 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's Summary

It is May 1660 and the fate of nations is at stake. Mazarin plots, Louis XIV is in love, and Raoul de Bragelonne, son of Athos, is intent on serving France and winning the heart of Louise de la Valliere.

D'Artagnan, meanwhile, is perplexed by a mysterious stranger, and soon he learns that his old comrades already have great projects in hand. Athos seeks the restoration of Charles II, while Aramis, with Porthos in tow, has a secret plan involving a masked prisoner and the fortification of the island of Belle-Ile.

D'Artagnan finds a thread leading him to the French court, the banks of the Tyne, the beaches of Holland, and the dunes of Brittany.

Public Domain (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic Reviews

"Alternately melodramatic, sentimental, humorous, wordly, and almost always absorbing." ( Irish Times)
"I would sit down with The Vicomte de Bragelonne for a long, silent, solitary, lamplit evening by the fire." (Robert Louis Stevenson)

Misrepresentation

I thoroughly enjoyed this story...that is to say the part which I listened to. The description of this book leads one to believe that it's the entire novel. However, it was broken into two parts and the second part "Louise de la Valliere" is not yet available on Audible. I am rather annoyed because I have no idea now when I'll be able to see how the story ended. If you like to hear a complete story like me, ensure that the second half is available before downloading this book. That being said, if the second half is as good as the first then I would definitely recommend this.

Why didn't I read this stuff sooner

After reading The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers, I could completely understand why everyone I know loves the work of Alexandre Dumas. I thought that this book might be greatly inferior to Dumas's better-known work, but this guy can't seem to write a terrible story.

Humor, action, memorable characters - the more Dumas I read, the more of it I want to read. These books have really aged well, and I see their fingerprints everywhere I look in fantasy and sci-fi.

I wish I'd known this is kind of The Three Musketeers Part 3 before I went and spoiled bits of Twenty Years Later, which came in between the two books. I thought this was a standalone like The Count of Monte Cristo, but I was incorrect. I could have gotten that tidbit of information from Wikipedia, and I'll soon fill that gap in the narrative, but it is unfortunate that this wasn't described as a sequel in the write-up here on Audible.

Dumas' prequel to The Man in the Iron Mask

I look forward to the continuation of this story, which is so necessary to the full appreciation of The Man in the Iron Mask. The style of this work far surpasses that of Twenty Years After and closely approaches that of The Three Musketeers and The Man in the Iron Mask. All I ask of Audible is the addition of the second part of this work and the additional of any other work of Dumas that becomes available -- the two remaining parts of Queen Margot, for instance.

Dumas created a literary style with strong echoes heard today.

Yes, it is entertaining. And very interesting reading, well worth your time. And of course Simon Vance is the master. So the narrator does the author justice. However in addition, I am constantly amazed at the subtle wit and humor blended into the story which illuminates how people to this day really think and are motivated to act. I suppose what I am trying to say is that I have learned something about myself, my own character, my own condition, and maybe I don't take myself so seriously having benefited from reading Dumas. Take a moment to read about the author's life and the life of his father, it is fascinating.

Amazing story. Captivating, intriguing

I wish I had discovered these novels earlier in life. The characters lend lessons to even modern life. The plots twist, surprise and rend the heart.

Beware the 10 yrs after is after the 20 yrs after

What did you love best about The Vicomte de Bragelonne?

The way Alexandre Dumas wove characters in this series together.

Who was your favorite character and why?

D'Artagnan is always my favorite character. He's a bit impulsive.

Which character – as performed by Simon Vance – was your favorite?

D'Artagnan.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When D'Artagnan & Raoul (The Vicomt) fought together against the uprising.

Any additional comments?

I wanted to read the four Dumas novels in sequence. I naturally thought 10 years after was the second in the series. It was the third.

Too slow.

I downloaded this because I LOVED The Three Musketeers and was anxious for another fun "classic" read, but I just couldn't get through this one! It moved too slowly with too many sub-stories and details to keep my interest. Once I got into the Musketeers I couldn't stop listening, but this one felt like homework to listen to. The narrator was nice, though I prefer John Lee's D'Artagnan. I'm throwing in the towel and moving on to something more interesting.

A Soap Opera

Wow! This story goes in many different directions. It is more like a soap opera than a novel. And this volume is only the first third of the book. However, I am enjoying it and look forward to the other two volumes.

Slower and more mature

Back to the musketeers, this one has been called “TenYears Later.” It is volume one of book three in the saga of the Three Musketeers. Though book three is divided into three volumes, each volume is as long or longer than either of the first two books. Now the four friends are older, in their late 40s to early 50s, and thus the story is less adventurous. But, the intrigue is still there and again the friends find themselves sometimes on the same side, and sometimes on opposite sides. It’s 1660 and Louis XIV is now of age and now takes his position as king, but as in the past, the king has almost no power and the government is run by the Cardinal, though it is now Cardinal Mazarin. The King of England, Charles II, has been overthrown and secretly approaches King Louis XIV for a sum of money to help him regain his kingdom, but Cardinal Mazarin refuses him the money. D’Artagnan is disgusted by the weakness of the king and resigns his service in the king’s musketeers, deciding to pursue Charles II and help him regain his kingdom. He first tries to find his three friends and work with them. The rest of the book is the pursuit of the quest, though they are not all together. Cardinal Mazarin dies and the finance ministry is now involved in a power struggle between Fouquet and Colbert, but now with the king beginning to assert his own power. The book is divided between France and England and again is based on real people and actual history. The story moves slower than the previous two books but is interesting nonetheless and shows how the four have continued to move in very different directions. It deserves its place alongside the much more famous book one. 

how have i never seen a movie/tv show of this one

youd think with how many times the 3 musketeers has been done (though never with much justice) that hbo or netflix or something would have tried to make a "son of the musketeers) vehicle to cash in on a well known ip without retreading worn territory.

Another excellent book.

Continuing on the path. It is great to listen to this wonderful story sequentially and encourages me to repeat The Man in the Ironman again, having listened first. Story is wonderful. The narration is very good with several voices but in my preference still does not reach that provided by Bill Holmwood, who provided for first and the last book. I wish he had provided for all books, giving a continuity of seamless experience.

Excellent!

The story, descriptions and dialogue are superb. A master of adventure this is Dumas at his best.

Simon Vance is an intelligent and studied narrator with a versatility of voice that makes the most of the large cast of characters (although the dashing Dartagnan, I'm not sure should sound quite such a yokel or De Guish sound so old).

loved it

Great story. An insight into the French court. I will read this book again. I will have to get the books in the right order next time.

a great story, very well told

very well told, exceptional character voices... a good story with many characters...it sets the scene to the next book....