Review: The Man in the Iron Mask by Josephine Wilkinson

 Once again, the lovely folks at Amberley Books have sent me a review copy of one of their latest titles, and it's been a thrill to read this one.

"The Man in the Iron Mask has all the hallmarks of a thrilling adventure story: a glamorous and all-powerful king, ambitious ministers, a cruel and despotic gaoler, dark and sinister dungeons - and a secret prisoner. It is easy for forget that this story, made famous by Alexandre Dumas, is that of a real person, who spent more than thirty years in the prison system of Louis XIV’s France never to be freed.

This book brings to life the true story of this mysterious man and follows his journey through four prisons and across decades of time. It introduces the reader to those with whom he shared his imprisonment, those who had charge of him and those who decided his fate.

The Man in the Iron Mask is one of the most enduring mysteries of Louis XIV’s reign, but, above all, it is a human story. Using contemporary documents, this book shows what life was really like for state prisoners in seventeenth-century France and offers tantalising insight into why this mysterious man was arrested and why, several years later, his story would become one of France’s most intriguing legends."

There is no preamble. Dr Wilkinson dives straight in and tells us how the story began, with a letter sent to the man who would be the prisoner's gaoler. Saint-Mars is, in some ways, the main character of this story, and we meet him when he receives a letter from the man with whom he will correspond for decades: Louvois writes with details of the arrangements for the prisoner who, at first, is named as Eustache Dauger.

There is so much rich detail in this book and so much to praise that I barely know where to start. We don't hear much about Eustache really, for each chapter of the books introduces us to the other prisoners as each arrives at Pignerol, to be held securely. Very securely, in most cases. We are spared nothing, and learn how truly isolated these hapless souls were; not allowed to speak, or at some points even to see out of the windows. Nevertheless, some extraordinarily ambitious attempts are made to communicate with the outside world, and even to escape. The ingenuity is to be admired. Some prisoners sink, understandably, into despair, some into madness. We learn their backgrounds, how they came to be incarcerated and, as well as their daring exploits, we learn what happened to them: in some cases they were eventually freed, while some died in prison.

The politics of the age are presented where necessary, but the focus is on Saint-Mars, Louvois, and the prisoners. Conditions are not harsh as far as their personal needs are concerned - they are fed and clothed and provided with furniture according to their rank - but because of their secrets, they must be kept isolated. This is especially difficult for those who are assigned valet duties. These valets were effectively locked up too and it's unsurprising that there were few volunteers for the job. At one point, therefore, the mysterious Eustache is appointed as a valet.

Thus, as we are told the sad stories of the prisoners, we also see that Eustache is there, hovering in the background. When Saint-Mars is moved to new prisons, he takes his charges with him, from Pignerol to Exilles to the Isle de Sainte-Marguerite and finally to the Bastille. By this time, he has only one prisoner with him, and that prisoner no longer even has a name. Why? What happened? And who was Eustache really?

By telling us what is known of all the prisoners who came under the watchful eye of Saint-Mars, Dr Wilkinson gives, via this focus, a clear picture of the wider world of the France of Louis XIV. We learn what is important, what will be tolerated, and what can get people into trouble. Money and connections will get a person only so far, it seems. We are at times uncomfortably close witnesses to the despair of the prisoners, of the tedium of their existence, their delight when granted privileges, be it to take a walk, or, eventually, to receive visitors. Sources and letters (carefully and insightfully analysed), are quoted often and at length, which only adds to the compelling narrative and never bogs it down. 

What of THE prisoner? For much of the book it might seem that this is not his story, but that of the other prisoners. And yet, cleverly, Dr Wilkinson ensures that he is always there, shows how his fate is tied in with that of the others and, when she presents the myths versus the likely truth, it all comes together beautifully; this or that suggested theory cannot be true, she will point out because, remember, we have already been told where the key players were at that point. 

I never had any doubt that all the threads of the story would be pulled together for a satisfying conclusion but there were still a few surprises. I often think the term 'page-turner' is over used, but in this case it is apt. I really was gripped. Not even so much because of the mystery element, but simply because it's rare to feel so much for the characters, and to be able to 'see' the historical setting so clearly in nonfiction. I found that I was so wrapped up in these people's stories that I had no choice but to keep reading. 

I am left with two overriding feelings. The first is that this story, compelling though it is, is one of sadness and cruelty and I'm not surprised so many succumbed to madness and mortal illness. The other is that this is a fascinating tale, expertly told.

Available for pre-order now at

Amberley

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and published on August 15th 2021