The Knight of Maison-Rouge: A Novel of Marie Antoinette (Modern Library Classics)

I was delighted to discover that two Dumas books were recently discovered. The Knight of Maison Rouge was re-discovered and the other, The Last Cavalier an unpublished final work accidentally found by Dumas expert Lauren Yoder researching and gathering information on his mistresses. This complete novel was found among the papers that were given him.The Knight of Maison-Rouge was an enjoyable surprise to me. It was like discovering a lost painting by Leonardo. If you enjoy Dumas, then don't miss this gem. Lafitte's Treasure: Unlimited Historical Fiction Adventure

The fruits of revolution oft take long to ripen. After our American Revolution, we instituted the Articles of Confederation, which if the British were aware, imminent conquest would follow. The French Revolutions we inspired were no different but their lots before renewing themselves were harsh lessons in learning how to construct effective government.Set in the aptly named Terror, The Knight of Maison-Rouge takes place in this paranoid and xenophobic France. The French patriots are fanatical in destroying anything deemed evil by Robespierre's regime and the hills of heads prove his cruelty isn't for show. The same citizens who cower beneath this horrid regime will not hesitate to out each other on accusations backed by the flimsiest of bonds, viewed by the bureaucracy as solid diamond, for glory and spite ensuring societal bonds are broken washing France in blood. As Marie-Antoinette lives her last days in prison, disenfranchised aristocrats and royalists under the Knight of Maison-Rouge conspire to release her.Enter soldier Maurice Lindey, who comes upon a strange woman being accosted by a rampaging mob of unruly soldiers. Upon saving her, he requests to take her for questioning, but from her refusals to do so, it is clear she is anything but innocent. The smitten Maurice is indifferent to this lawbreaking however and with his womanizing friend Lorin, whose constant recitations of bad poetry with dashing courage make him quite the companion, they quell the mob and ensure the woman gets home safely but not before she kisses Maurice goodbye and gives him the gift of a beautiful ring.But this betrayal of the law served isn't a trait reserved solely for the young womanizers. The populace is required to address each other as, "Citizen," instead of, "Monsieur," and God is eventually dethroned in favor of the Supreme Being. Speaking anything else is fair game for the bloodthirsty courts and the judges ignore these social mores oft as the deluded populace. An abusive cobblers' repute transcends that of soldiers who have served the country well and vice is virtue where all is well as long as people praise Robespierre while gutting each other.The book consistently cycles through two plots for the story's duration: Rescuing Marie-Antoinette and Maurice's pursuit of Genevieve, the woman he saved that night. Both are consistently repeated through the storyline since there are always mishaps to thwart them but fortunately the characters and the discovery of these situations are good enough to make the situations refreshing even when it's obvious that Marie-Antoinette is going to be arrested yet again.But while the story is enjoyable, make no mistake that it is dark. It doesn't take long for the story to go from Lorin spouting bad poetry over not getting any to Lorin spouting bad poetry because his lover was beheaded.As in all Dumas, there is gallant heroism throughout. Yet it comes at tremendous sacrifice and even though I was moved at the final scenes, I wanted more. It's not that I was disappointed at the final turn of events given the setting is an era called the Terror and the other tragedies that occur throughout. But the final scenes contain such climactic fury and moving declarations that I would have liked to have seen this earlier. Much of the book is spent developing relationships that it's only at the end we see the fruits of this labor and they are promptly snatched from us after taking the slightest nibble.

Wonderful boo! Filled with the romance and chivalry of a bygone age. Great historical novel! Hard to put down.

This book is an exciting conclusion to Dumas' "Revolutionary" book cycle. The first four books in the series are also well worth your time...but they may be a little difficult to track down. They are (in order): "Memoirs of a Physician", "The Queen's Necklace", "Ange Pitou", "Countess De Charny" and finally "The Knight of Maison-Rouge." Read together they tell a story every bit as thrilling as the Musketeer cycle. Pick this one up in hardcover while you can (I think the last US edition of this title was published in 1906, and this translation if much superior). Vive Dumas!

The story begins in March 1793 as Louis XVI has been beheaded, Marie Antoinette and her children are imprisoned and the Committee for Public Safety has unleashed The Reign of Terror. Unaware of a curfew, a young woman is stopped by members of the National Guard but saved from arrest by Civic Guard officer Maurice Lindey. The woman disappears into the night but the enchanted Maurice finally locates her, and becomes friends with Genevieve and her older husband (who finds Maurice to be useful in his royalist plots). In the meantime, all Paris is abuzz over the mysterious Chevalier de Maison Rouge and his heroic attempts to secrete Marie Antoinette away from her fate with the guillotine.The story then goes back and forth between that of Maurice and his beloved Genevieve and a recounting of the final days of Marie (now called Madame Capet) and the various schemes of several royalist parties to save her. Although I did enjoy this book very much (it _is_ Dumas), this one just didn't come off with the excitement and flare the previous six have done. Perhaps after six books I was approaching burn out, perhaps it's because there was no sign of my favorite characters from the first five books, but this one just didn't knock my socks off -- although I very much enjoyed the love story between Genevieve and Maurice. They were very touching and I doubt I'll ever look at a carnation the same way again. Have the tissue handy for the ending.I do want to caution potential readers of this series to research carefully which edition you purchase -- there are some bad translations out there that can seriously impact your reading experience. The best luck I've had is with the early 1900's translations published by a P F Collier and Sons. The entire series, in order:Joseph BalsamoMemoirs of a PhysicianThe Queen's NecklaceTaking the BastileThe Countess de CharnyThe Chevalier de Maison Rouge (or The Knight of the Maison-Rouge)

A truly exceptional story ... poignant, romantic and well told; this story evokes feelings of urgency and loss while it maintains a vision of hope in the human spirit.