Customer Reviews

The Companions of Jehu

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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.