Georges (Modern Library Classics)

I have been a big fan of Alexander Dumas ever since I first read an abridged version of The Count of Monte Cristo back in high school. I followed that up a couple of years ago with an unabridged version of the same novel, which I now consider my favorite novel of all time, and with the first two volumes of the d'Artagnan series, which is also excellent. However, I've been reluctant to start any other works by Dumas recently mainly because most are extremely long and I haven't had much free time, so I immediately one-clicked a copy of Georges once I stumbled upon this little gem. At less than 300 pages, it presented a much less imposing option versus continuing the d'Artagnan series (which I will do at some point), and I'm glad I picked it up.Georges follows the exploits of the young mulatto Georges Munier and is set on the Ile de France, a small French (and later English) colony located in the Indian Ocean. While the population of Ile de France is racially diverse, it is not exactly tolerant, as the economy is based upon slavery and the large mulatto (and other free non-white) population can never achieve the upper echelon of society (can't marry a white woman, can't attend certain social events, can't march with the white regiments into battle, etc.). Georges, after his father sends him to Europe as a young teenager in order to complete his education, returns to Ile de France as a young man in his twenties in order to undertake the Quixotic task of eradicating prejudice from the island - a task which he is determined to either accomplish or die trying.I won't get into the plot in any more detail in order to avoid spoiling any of it, but the novel is very enjoyable, although it could have used a bit more swashbuckling action. The characters are well crafted, with the vindictive young Georges very much resembling the somewhat more developed Edmond Dantes (Georges was released one year before The Count, and from reading both I get the impression Dumas experimented with the character in Georges before perfecting and recasting it as Dantes, although for all I know the release dates may not coincide with the timing of when the bulk of each was written, so I could be completely wrong). Georges' character doesn't quite achieve the depth of the excellent Dantes or d'Artagnan, but that's a given due to the much shorter length of this novel. The real antagonist isn't a man but rather an idea (prejudice), and Dumas does a good, though not quite perfect, job of personifying this via the characters it embodies.The translation, in my opinion, is pretty good. I don't speak French and haven't read any other translations of this work so I can't give a very good review of the translation, other than to say it is easy to read yet for the most part it doesn't lose too much of the "feel" of the 19th century French speaking civilization. The writing itself isn't quite as enthralling as some of the other Dumas works I've read, although I can't say whether this is due to the translation or the original work.In short - if you haven't yet discovered Dumas, read The Count of Monte Cristo or The Three Musketeers (in unabridged form!). If, on the other hand, you're already familiar with Dumas' writing and are merely wondering whether Georges lives up to the standards of his better known works, or if you don't have the guts to undertake a 1,000+ page tome, then I would whole heartedly recommend picking this up. For the latter group, reading Georges is by far a preferable option to reading an abridged (read: gutted) version of one of his longer works.In my opinion, Georges isn't *quite* as good as the two works mentioned elsewhere in this review, but it's pretty damn good nonetheless. If half stars were allowed I'd give Georges 4.5 stars, as I consider it excellent though not quite perfect.

I'm guessing because the characters are black, Dumas decided to explain their motivations as "primative". Annoying to say the least, but overall a decent book with adventure and a small plot twist

I truly enjoyed this book/translation. I am at a loss as to why this book by Dumas was so relatively difficult to find. While not autobiographical, I came to the impression that given the focus of race in Georges, Dumas used this work to address some of his feelings about his potential multi-racial background.I heartily recommend Georges. I recommend reading the lengthy introduction discussing Dumas' background. All of this somewhat dry discussion here shouldn't scare you away from reading this action and adventure-filled tale that has enjoyment for readers at all levels.

Another exciting adventure by an author I regard as one of the best! Has a lot of similarity to my all -time favorite “The Count of Monte Cristo,” also by Dumas, e.g., the swaggering comeback and revenge. The rebel rousing ending was a pleasant surprise! Georges’ confrontation of racism and prejudice is in true Alexander Dumas style. A short read in comparison to his other works, but just as stimulating.

Great hidden gem. Alexandre Dumas sure told it like it was. I love it that he was kinda ahead of his time eh. ;). Authors today are good at hiding thier "xpertise", but are just copying/plagiarising authors of his era & earlier. Sad & pitiful -;(. It ain't an accident why they are not heard of at all.

Have not read yet but this work by Dumas is not well known & diffcult to find. Glad I got it.

I was not aware of Dumas' heritage until I read this book. The book is very well written and captures the plight of the black man in the 19th century.

Great work by Alexandre Dumas.