Synchronicity, of a sort

[clarentine]

It's been an interesting experience reading, back to back, two of Arturo Perez-Reverte's Captain Alatriste books (Captain Alatriste and Purity of Blood) and then beginning Alexandre Dumas's Three Musketeers. I believe I read somewhere that Dumas was one of Perez-Reverte's influences, and the sense and feel of the Alatriste books bears that out. Part of the feeling of deja vu came from the actual events of the books--when I looked explicitly, I was able to verify that the novels were set within two years of one another, though from very different points of view. Interesting, indeed. Alatriste and D'Artagnan are not so far apart in their way of dealing with the world.

I have also been gratified, in the reading of the Alatriste novels, to see that my sense of the timeworn nobility of the Spanish of the age (1623 in the case of Purity of Blood and 1625 for the start of Three Musketeers) was not self-delusion. Tattered dignity is attractive to me...and I clearly share that predilection with others. *g*

Some of the best news of the reading experience has been the note inside the cover of Purity of Blood that indicates the last (?) three Alatriste books have now been translated into English and will be published over the next few years. I've read and enjoyed Perez-Reverte's The Dueling Master and I have The Club Dumas on the shelf awaiting time and interest. I'm looking forward to reading the other Alatristes!

Comments

[ter369.livejournal.com]

Arturo's great loves are The Three Musketeers, Moby Dick, and the classic swashbuckers. The Club Dumas references all three, with bonus points for recognizing the opening line from Sabbatini's Scaramouche.

I recall reading The Fencing Master in one sitting. I recommend The Seville Communion for a non-swashbuckler influenced ARP novel, that is also about holding on to one's honor (in modern times) when it will destroy careers and lives yet is the right thing to do .... very Athos and D'Artagnan like. It has fantastic female characters and delightful sad-sack comic would-be villains, like something from a Jules Dassin film.

[clarentine]

I'll pass on Moby Dick. *g* I will add The Seville Communion to my list, however--sounds like fun!