The Marie Antoinette Romances, Vol 1: Balsamo, The Magician
Alexandre Dumas
Lu par John Van Stan
This is the first volume of Dumas' Marie Antoinette Romances (also called "The Memoirs of a Physician"). This historical fiction chronicles the strange events surrounding the fall of the French monarchy (starting ~1770) and rise of revolutionaries so terrifying that the period is still called "The Reign of Terrors" (1793-1794). In this volume, a renowned magician, Count Alessandro di Cagliostro (Balsamo), employs various occult tactics, like hypnotism and necromancy, to gain state secrets. Balsamo claims to be plotting against the Bourbons, but one must wonder whether this 3000 year old sorcerer has an ulterior motive... - Summary by jvanstan (10 hr 55 min)
Chapitres
| The Grand Master of the Secret Society | 45:00 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| The Living-Wagon in the Storm | 13:05 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| The Lovely Lorenza | 4:55 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| Gilbert | 12:01 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| Taverney and His Daughter | 38:00 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| The Clairvoyant | 9:30 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| The Maid and the Mistress | 15:37 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| The Harbinger | 8:27 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| The Knight of Redcastle | 7:00 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| Marie Antoinette | 11:25 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| A Marvel of Magic | 14:05 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| Taverney's Prospects Brighten | 5:55 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| Nicole's Dower | 10:35 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| The Outcast's Luck | 15:35 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| Taverney to the Rescue | 10:05 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| The King's Favorite | 17:30 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| The Royal Clock-Repairer | 17:10 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| The Countess of Bearn | 12:40 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| Chon Spoils All | 11:07 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| Annoyance and Amusement | 9:10 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| Countess Cut Countess | 11:00 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| At a Loss for Everything | 14:48 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| The Presentation | 16:40 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| The Dauphiness' Reception | 6:05 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| Gilbert Snaps Golden Chains | 15:11 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| The Old Botanist | 19:50 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| Master Jacques | 11:25 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| In the Loft | 9:05 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| Who Master Jacques Was | 9:49 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| Old Patricians and New | 14:50 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| The Magician's Wife | 21:15 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| The Nun's Husband | 24:40 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| Count and Cardinal | 18:35 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| Near Neighbors | 15:15 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| The Garden House | 15:50 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| Balsamo at Home | 6:14 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| The Double Existence | 12:20 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| The Wakeful State | 14:20 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| The Predicted Visit | 5:25 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| The Art of Making Gold | 21:53 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| The Water of Life | 35:55 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| The King's New Amour | 12:45 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| Two Birds with One Stone | 5:41 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| The Plan of Action | 6:18 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| Too Good a Teacher | 5:00 | Lu par John Van Stan |
| A Terrible Wedding Night | 16:05 | Lu par John Van Stan |
Critiques
Sara Virginia
Wonderfully read! Dumas is always entertaining and Mr. Van Stan brings such life to each character!
hamid golchin
grat reading.enjoid evry minte of it.thank you.
GRANDIOSE BEGINNING
AVID READER
Not exactly what I expected from these chronicles, but interesting enough. Van Stan is at the top of his game. On to volume II.
Van Stan never Van Stammers!
Tim S.
Excellent and a bit weird. As always, Van Stan does not Van Stammer (unless it’s written in the text)