The d'Artagnan Romances, Vol 3, Part 3: The Man in the Iron Mask (version 2)
Alexandre Dumas
Read by John Van Stan
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)
Chapters
Two old friends | 41:30 | Read by John Van Stan |
Wherein may be seen that a bargain which cannot be made with one person, can be… | 29:20 | Read by John Van Stan |
The skin of the bear | 17:05 | Read by John Van Stan |
An interview with the Queen Mother | 25:10 | Read by John Van Stan |
Two friends | 18:20 | Read by John Van Stan |
How Jean de la Fontaine came to write his first tale | 11:05 | Read by John Van Stan |
La Fontaine in the character of a negotiator | 17:50 | Read by John Van Stan |
Madame de Belliere's plate and diamonds | 9:40 | Read by John Van Stan |
M. de Mazarin's receipt | 22:05 | Read by John Van Stan |
Monsieur Colbert's rough draft | 26:15 | Read by John Van Stan |
In which the author thinks it is high time to return to the Vicomte de Bragelon… | 14:50 | Read by John Van Stan |
Bragelonne continues his inquiries | 14:10 | Read by John Van Stan |
Two jealousies | 13:15 | Read by John Van Stan |
A domiciliary visit | 17:40 | Read by John Van Stan |
Porthos's plan of action | 20:15 | Read by John Van Stan |
The change of residence, the trap-door, and the portrait | 25:55 | Read by John Van Stan |
Rivals in politics | 13:45 | Read by John Van Stan |
Rivals in love | 18:00 | Read by John Van Stan |
King and noble | 19:05 | Read by John Van Stan |
After the storm | 13:45 | Read by John Van Stan |
Heu! Miser! | 10:35 | Read by John Van Stan |
Wounds within wounds | 14:30 | Read by John Van Stan |
What Raoul had guessed | 14:20 | Read by John Van Stan |
Three guests astonished to find themselves at supper together | 12:55 | Read by John Van Stan |
What took place at the Louvre during the supper at the Bastile | 19:35 | Read by John Van Stan |
Political rivals | 18:30 | Read by John Van Stan |
In which Porthos is convinced without having understood anything | 15:25 | Read by John Van Stan |
M. de Baisemeaux's "Society" | 20:20 | Read by John Van Stan |
The prisoner (part 1) | 41:40 | Read by John Van Stan |
The prisoner (part 2) | 27:40 | Read by John Van Stan |
How Mouston had become fatter without giving Porthos notice thereof | 20:45 | Read by John Van Stan |
Who Messire Jean Percerin was | 15:20 | Read by John Van Stan |
The patterns | 22:40 | Read by John Van Stan |
Where, probably, Moliere obtained his first idea of the Bourgeois Gentilhomme | 15:15 | Read by John Van Stan |
The bee-hive, the bees, and the honey | 23:00 | Read by John Van Stan |
Another supper at the Bastile | 18:40 | Read by John Van Stan |
The general of the order | 24:15 | Read by John Van Stan |
The tempter | 23:50 | Read by John Van Stan |
Crown and tiara | 21:40 | Read by John Van Stan |
The Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte | 13:40 | Read by John Van Stan |
The wine of Melun | 13:15 | Read by John Van Stan |
Nectar and ambrosia | 11:10 | Read by John Van Stan |
A gascon, and a gascon-and-a-half | 33:35 | Read by John Van Stan |
Colbert | 16:10 | Read by John Van Stan |
Jealousy | 16:45 | Read by John Van Stan |
High treason | 24:15 | Read by John Van Stan |
A night at the Bastile | 17:45 | Read by John Van Stan |
The shadow of M. Fouquet | 41:20 | Read by John Van Stan |
The Morning | 20:10 | Read by John Van Stan |
The King's friend | 43:50 | Read by John Van Stan |
Showing how the countersign was respected at the Bastile | 20:50 | Read by John Van Stan |
The King's gratitude | 23:40 | Read by John Van Stan |
The false King | 25:55 | Read by John Van Stan |
In which Porthos thinks he is pursuing a Duchy | 13:10 | Read by John Van Stan |
The last adieux | 13:50 | Read by John Van Stan |
Monsieur de Beaufort | 20:40 | Read by John Van Stan |
Preparations for Departure | 20:50 | Read by John Van Stan |
Planchet's inventory | 13:30 | Read by John Van Stan |
The inventory of M. de Beaufort | 15:00 | Read by John Van Stan |
The silver dish | 18:30 | Read by John Van Stan |
Captive and jailers | 24:08 | Read by John Van Stan |
Promises | 30:15 | Read by John Van Stan |
Among women | 21:15 | Read by John Van Stan |
The last supper | 19:20 | Read by John Van Stan |
In M. Colbert's Carriage | 21:40 | Read by John Van Stan |
The two lighters | 19:20 | Read by John Van Stan |
Friendly advice | 15:30 | Read by John Van Stan |
How the King, Louis XIV, played his little part | 22:45 | Read by John Van Stan |
The white horse and the black | 18:55 | Read by John Van Stan |
In which the squirrel falls--the adder flies | 24:05 | Read by John Van Stan |
Belle-Ile-en-Mer | 25:20 | Read by John Van Stan |
Explanations by Aramis | 28:20 | Read by John Van Stan |
Result of the ideas of the King, and the ideas of d'Artagnan | 6:35 | Read by John Van Stan |
The ancestors of Porthos | 11:40 | Read by John Van Stan |
The son of Biscarrat | 16:05 | Read by John Van Stan |
The Grotto of Locmaria | 15:55 | Read by John Van Stan |
The Grotto | 20:40 | Read by John Van Stan |
An Homeric Song | 13:30 | Read by John Van Stan |
The Death of a Titan! | 16:55 | Read by John Van Stan |
Porthos's epitaph | 17:19 | Read by John Van Stan |
M. de Gesvres's Round | 14:35 | Read by John Van Stan |
King Louis XIV | 22:05 | Read by John Van Stan |
M. Fouquet's friends | 17:15 | Read by John Van Stan |
Porthos's will | 14:15 | Read by John Van Stan |
The old age of Athos | 14:25 | Read by John Van Stan |
Athos's vision | 16:00 | Read by John Van Stan |
The Angel of Death | 13:44 | Read by John Van Stan |
The Bulletin | 14:50 | Read by John Van Stan |
The last canto of the poem | 16:35 | Read by John Van Stan |
Epilogue (Part 1) | 48:55 | Read by John Van Stan |
Epilogue (Part 2) | 16:05 | Read by John Van Stan |
Reviews
Zach Vietor
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.
great reading, ok story line
listener of great stories
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.
UNEXPECTED POWER FROM THE AUTHOR
AVID READER
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.
The Finale
Stephen D.
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!
Dangerous Journeymann
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!