Helpful Score: 4
A rousing literary mystery, translated from the Spanish, in which "book detective" Lucas Corso is drawn into a fantastical plot involving the murder of a noted bibliophile, the original manuscript of "The Three Musketeers," occult practices, and swashbuckling. It gets a little too tangled by the end, but it's an enjoyable ride most of the way. (And the last line is priceless.)
Helpful Score: 3
"Perez-Reverte has written a book with more twists and convolutions than a Chinese puzzle, which races along like a runaway freight train, but never careens out of control. For all the twist and turns, it knows where it's going, and carries the reader right along to the final page. For mystery fans and bibliophiles alike, it's a helluva joyride." amazon review
Helpful Score: 3
What is the connection between "The Three Musketeers" and a demonic book that got the printer burned alive in 1666?
I couldn't figure out what one book had to do with other. Read "The Club Dumas" and then you'll know. It's an entertaining read.
I couldn't figure out what one book had to do with other. Read "The Club Dumas" and then you'll know. It's an entertaining read.
Helpful Score: 3
A truly exciting, page-turning mystery with interesting characters and a romance that doesn't overshadow the main plot.
Helpful Score: 3
Thrilling intelligent mystery. Find some time to read this one -- not a quick read, but a really satisfying one.
Helpful Score: 2
A swashbuckling tale of adventure for book geeks, this caught and held my attention from page one.
Helpful Score: 2
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Review: This is the novel that the movie "The Ninth Gate" is based on. It follows an unscrupulous book hunter who is one two quests. First, he is trying to authenticate a handwritten chapter from "The Three Musketeers". Second, he is looking into three copies of an occult book "Book of the Nine Doors of the Kingdom of Shadows". As the book goes one mysterious shenanigans surround both books, causing our protagonist to seek the connection between them.
This book is full of historical tidbits about "The Three Musketeers", Alexandre Dumas and the occult scene in Europe in the 1600s. These were all very interesting and enjoyable to read. The first part of the ending is absolutely a delight, though a reader taking the book more seriously than I did might find it frustrating and disappointing.
At times I thought the plot dragged on a bit and I would find myself thinking "Get on with it". The characters seemed a bit stilted as well, with the motivations of a few characters either missing entirely or feeling just a bit off.
Review: This is the novel that the movie "The Ninth Gate" is based on. It follows an unscrupulous book hunter who is one two quests. First, he is trying to authenticate a handwritten chapter from "The Three Musketeers". Second, he is looking into three copies of an occult book "Book of the Nine Doors of the Kingdom of Shadows". As the book goes one mysterious shenanigans surround both books, causing our protagonist to seek the connection between them.
This book is full of historical tidbits about "The Three Musketeers", Alexandre Dumas and the occult scene in Europe in the 1600s. These were all very interesting and enjoyable to read. The first part of the ending is absolutely a delight, though a reader taking the book more seriously than I did might find it frustrating and disappointing.
At times I thought the plot dragged on a bit and I would find myself thinking "Get on with it". The characters seemed a bit stilted as well, with the motivations of a few characters either missing entirely or feeling just a bit off.
Helpful Score: 1
Fabulous and intriguing - this was a book I could not put down. I loved the mystery and, since I have never read Dumas, made my intrigued to read Dumas (although you do not need to have read these books in order to read the book)
Helpful Score: 1
This is one of my favorites by this author. The protagonist isn't exactly likable, but you enjoy reading this book.
I had a strange experience with this one. I thought I would enjoy this one, but I didn't.
It was intriguing for a bit of the story, but that was about it. Weird narration right from the start, jumped from first person to third person, which was confusing (perhaps it was meant to be that way? I don't know).
Either way, not much to say here. There are lots of quotes from classics, so if you've read those, it could be interesting to catch those.
The main character Corso wasn't too likable. There are a few attempts to go into his history, but not terribly moving.
There is one character I'm intrigued by that, by the end of the book, still has a shroud of mystery hanging around her. I wish she was fleshed out further, but again, she may have been intentionally characterized as such.
Definitely a mystery with a bit of literature trivia. Not much of a thriller though, which is what I had originally thought it to be. Oh well.
It was intriguing for a bit of the story, but that was about it. Weird narration right from the start, jumped from first person to third person, which was confusing (perhaps it was meant to be that way? I don't know).
Either way, not much to say here. There are lots of quotes from classics, so if you've read those, it could be interesting to catch those.
The main character Corso wasn't too likable. There are a few attempts to go into his history, but not terribly moving.
There is one character I'm intrigued by that, by the end of the book, still has a shroud of mystery hanging around her. I wish she was fleshed out further, but again, she may have been intentionally characterized as such.
Definitely a mystery with a bit of literature trivia. Not much of a thriller though, which is what I had originally thought it to be. Oh well.
After 100 pages I gave up. Very confusing and a disappointment as I had high hopes to like this.
Long, confusing and boring. Don't understand the critical acclaim?
The movie 'The Ninth Gate' was based upon this book. If you have seen the movie, disregard it. There are several basic similarities, but (as always) so much is left out. The main omission: everything that has to do with Alexandre Dumas and 'The Three Musketeers', plot lines which make up the majority of this book.
This was a fantastic mystery that threw in shades of Sherlock Holmes, the occult, secret societies, and fanatical book lovers/collectors. It is not a fast read but it was well worth the time I spent on it.
In addition to being a well-written mystery with a twist, it also provides innumerable references to 'The Three Musketeers' and to the life and work of Alexandre Dumas. I have not yet read 'Musketeers' (it is now next on my list) but that did not diminish my enjoyment of this book.
The plot gets a little busy at times and there is a lot to keep up with, but in all the story is expertly crafted. If you are a book lover who enjoys a good mystery that will leave you guessing until the end, then this is an absolute must-read.
This was a fantastic mystery that threw in shades of Sherlock Holmes, the occult, secret societies, and fanatical book lovers/collectors. It is not a fast read but it was well worth the time I spent on it.
In addition to being a well-written mystery with a twist, it also provides innumerable references to 'The Three Musketeers' and to the life and work of Alexandre Dumas. I have not yet read 'Musketeers' (it is now next on my list) but that did not diminish my enjoyment of this book.
The plot gets a little busy at times and there is a lot to keep up with, but in all the story is expertly crafted. If you are a book lover who enjoys a good mystery that will leave you guessing until the end, then this is an absolute must-read.
in a weird way this book reminded me a bit of the Ninth Gate that Jonny Depp movie it had some parallels interesting book.Well written interesting!!!! Watching the ninth gate and realized this was the book orginally writtem
n in spanish that the 9th gate was based on!
n in spanish that the 9th gate was based on!
A mystery within a mystery involving book collectors and dealers--my kind of book!
Good book, but a little convoluted.
The movie The Ninth Gate is based on this novel-amazing book
Makes me want to re-read _The Three Musketeers_. Very well-written book. On par with _Shadow of the Wind_.
Book Description
A provocative literary thriller that playfully pays tribute to classic tales of mystery and adventure
Lucas Corso is a book detective, a middle-aged mercenary hired to hunt down rare editions for wealthy and unscrupulous clients. When a well-known bibliophile is found dead, leaving behind part of the original manuscript of Alexandre Dumas's The Three Musketeers, Corso is brought in to authenticate the fragment. He is soon drawn into a swirling plot involving devil worship, occult practices, and swashbuckling derring-do among a cast of characters bearing a suspicious resemblance to those of Dumas's masterpiece. Aided by a mysterious beauty named for a Conan Doyle heroine, Corso travels from Madrid to Toledo to Paris on the killer's trail in this twisty intellectual romp through the book world.
My Review
I enjoyed this book very much. It is very well written and the English translation is very good. It was a perfect book for me as I am a huge book collector and love the mystery/thriller genre. It also made me want to add The Three Musketeers to my to-be-read soon list. I highly recommend this book to Dumas lovers and I look forward to reading another book by this author soon.
A provocative literary thriller that playfully pays tribute to classic tales of mystery and adventure
Lucas Corso is a book detective, a middle-aged mercenary hired to hunt down rare editions for wealthy and unscrupulous clients. When a well-known bibliophile is found dead, leaving behind part of the original manuscript of Alexandre Dumas's The Three Musketeers, Corso is brought in to authenticate the fragment. He is soon drawn into a swirling plot involving devil worship, occult practices, and swashbuckling derring-do among a cast of characters bearing a suspicious resemblance to those of Dumas's masterpiece. Aided by a mysterious beauty named for a Conan Doyle heroine, Corso travels from Madrid to Toledo to Paris on the killer's trail in this twisty intellectual romp through the book world.
My Review
I enjoyed this book very much. It is very well written and the English translation is very good. It was a perfect book for me as I am a huge book collector and love the mystery/thriller genre. It also made me want to add The Three Musketeers to my to-be-read soon list. I highly recommend this book to Dumas lovers and I look forward to reading another book by this author soon.
Such a good story. Lovely and intriguing interweaving Dumas and the devil. Excellent to the last word.
I was disappointed in the ending.
