The Companions of Jehu [Hardcover]

Alexandre Dumas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2004

Just about a year ago my old friend, Jules Simon, author of "Devoir," came to me with a request that I write a novel for the "Journal pour Tous." I gave him the outline of a novel which I had in mind. The subject pleased him, and the contract was signed on the spot. The action occurred between 1791 and 1793, and the first chapter opened at Varennes the evening of the king's arrest. Only, impatient as was the "Journal pour Tous," I demanded a fortnight of Jules Simon before beginning my novel. I wished to go to Varennes; I was not acquainted with the locality, and I confess there is one thing I cannot do; I am unable to write a novel or a drama about localities with which I am not familiar. In order to write "Christine" I went to Fontainebleau; in writing "Henri III." I went to Blois; for "Les Trois Mousquetaires" I went to Boulogne and Béthune; for "Monte-Cristo" I returned to the Catalans and the Château d'If; for "Isaac Laquedem" I revisited Rome; and I certainly spent more time studying Jerusalem and Corinth from a distance than if I had gone there. . . .

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 492 pages
• Publisher: Wildside Press (January 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809598671
• ISBN-13: 978-0809598670
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,259,634 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Epic tale of Napoleanic era, June 7, 2005

By 

Greg Muth (Baltimore, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Companions of Jehu (Works of Alexandre Dumas) (Paperback)

The tale of Roland de Montrevel and his family is intertwined wonderfully with the rise of Napolean and the internal strife of France immediately after the Terror. Dumas has woven a nice web of deceit, love, and honor amidst the bygone era of gentlemen. By focusing on the first rumblings of Napoleanic rule, we get a strong taste of the leftover pain of a murdered monarchy, an anarchic period of divided loyalties and a national desire for stability. Dumas writes his narrative well, the multiple plots parallel nicely and there are great moments of excitement. If you like historical fiction set in this time and place, this is a good read.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Suspence and Excitement in the Age of Napoleon, February 10, 2010

By 

R. Yarnell "Rich" (Orlando, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Companions of Jehu (Paperback)

This is a classic Dumas novel and one of my favorites. I am not sure why it does not get the attention it deserves. The story revolves around a courageous band of young men who steal money from the republican government to fund the royalist counter-revolution and a young, equally courageous, and rather reckless, aide-de-camp of Napoleon, who swears to eliminate them. Complicating matters though is the fact that his sister has fallen in love with the leader of the band of robbers. Set against the coup of Napoleon, this novel really does have it all: a duel, ghosts, murder, intrigue, battles, robberies, courtroom drama, romance, and an unforgettable ending. The best part is that the main characters on each side are portrayed in such a way as to make you love them both and wish that both sides can win and everyone can be happy. Alas, this is not to be though. This is a great tale and one of Dumas's best works. You will enjoy every word of it!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mystery Solved, May 3, 2009

By 

Aynsleigh Hollywood "Aynsleigh" (Glasgow, Scotland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Companions of Jehu (Paperback)

SPOILERS (but does give too much away):
Roland De Montrevel was my kind of character, he was strong and loyal and he didn't care what anyone else thought. I hoped since they didn't find his body at the end that Dumas might have wanted to write him back in but I doubt it. And anyone who is still pondering the mystery of why Roland wanted to kill hiself I think I've solved it. I think that in his battle with the Arabs he got shot in the Penis.

Given that he refused to tell Bonaparte this on fear of ridicule and he never told Bonaparte about his treatment at the hands of the doctor during his imprisonment and he is keen to avoid marriage at all costs I think they all point to this conclusion and in Dumas' conversation with a journalist in the Companions of jehu introduction also give clues which point to this.

I really miss Roland and I hope that if Claude Schopp (Dumas scholar) writes another sequal to The last cavalier like he said he would then I hope we get to see him again.