1264. Louise de la Valliere, by Alexandre Dumas (17 Mar 1974) This is the fourth of the five volumes in the D'Artagan cycle. The first is The Three Musketeers, which I read with great enthusiasm on 19 Nov 1972, the second is Twenty Years After, read with even more appreciation on 25 Nov 1972, and the third is The Vicomte de Bragelonne, read on 22 Dec 1972 with lesser enthusiasm. I found Louise de la Valliere dull, dull, dull. It is all about the idiotic efforts of Louis XIV and Louise to become lovers. I found it irritating, since Louis XIV had a wife and Louise is presented as supposedly a worthwhile person. ( )

http://www.lonelymountain.net/books/s... ( )

A middling volume in every respect, there is nothing of the usual Musketeers action and adventure in Louise De La Valliere other than a promise of better to come. Concerned with court intrigue and love affairs, D'Artagnen and his friends are side characters for the vast portion of this novel, whilst Louis and his court plot amongst themselves. ( )

The third book about the four musketeers is usually split into three parts, of which this is the second. As with Vicomte de Bragelonne, the action is much reduced in favor of political intrigue. Our four friends also have a much-reduced role in this volume. ( )

No one who is traversing the 'Musketeer' novels would want to miss this.It is very slightly below the standard of the other installments of the 'cycle' but is essential reading on account of the plot developments it contains. As with all the other novels in the seres the dialogue is a pleasure. It has to be said that the novel doesn't fare well out of context. I cannot say that I found the novel dull in any respect. ( )