The Marie Antoinette Romances, Vol 1: Balsamo, The Magician
Alexandre Dumas
Read by 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)
Chapters
| The Grand Master of the Secret Society | 45:00 | Read by John Van Stan |
| The Living-Wagon in the Storm | 13:05 | Read by John Van Stan |
| The Lovely Lorenza | 4:55 | Read by John Van Stan |
| Gilbert | 12:01 | Read by John Van Stan |
| Taverney and His Daughter | 38:00 | Read by John Van Stan |
| The Clairvoyant | 9:30 | Read by John Van Stan |
| The Maid and the Mistress | 15:37 | Read by John Van Stan |
| The Harbinger | 8:27 | Read by John Van Stan |
| The Knight of Redcastle | 7:00 | Read by John Van Stan |
| Marie Antoinette | 11:25 | Read by John Van Stan |
| A Marvel of Magic | 14:05 | Read by John Van Stan |
| Taverney's Prospects Brighten | 5:55 | Read by John Van Stan |
| Nicole's Dower | 10:35 | Read by John Van Stan |
| The Outcast's Luck | 15:35 | Read by John Van Stan |
| Taverney to the Rescue | 10:05 | Read by John Van Stan |
| The King's Favorite | 17:30 | Read by John Van Stan |
| The Royal Clock-Repairer | 17:10 | Read by John Van Stan |
| The Countess of Bearn | 12:40 | Read by John Van Stan |
| Chon Spoils All | 11:07 | Read by John Van Stan |
| Annoyance and Amusement | 9:10 | Read by John Van Stan |
| Countess Cut Countess | 11:00 | Read by John Van Stan |
| At a Loss for Everything | 14:48 | Read by John Van Stan |
| The Presentation | 16:40 | Read by John Van Stan |
| The Dauphiness' Reception | 6:05 | Read by John Van Stan |
| Gilbert Snaps Golden Chains | 15:11 | Read by John Van Stan |
| The Old Botanist | 19:50 | Read by John Van Stan |
| Master Jacques | 11:25 | Read by John Van Stan |
| In the Loft | 9:05 | Read by John Van Stan |
| Who Master Jacques Was | 9:49 | Read by John Van Stan |
| Old Patricians and New | 14:50 | Read by John Van Stan |
| The Magician's Wife | 21:15 | Read by John Van Stan |
| The Nun's Husband | 24:40 | Read by John Van Stan |
| Count and Cardinal | 18:35 | Read by John Van Stan |
| Near Neighbors | 15:15 | Read by John Van Stan |
| The Garden House | 15:50 | Read by John Van Stan |
| Balsamo at Home | 6:14 | Read by John Van Stan |
| The Double Existence | 12:20 | Read by John Van Stan |
| The Wakeful State | 14:20 | Read by John Van Stan |
| The Predicted Visit | 5:25 | Read by John Van Stan |
| The Art of Making Gold | 21:53 | Read by John Van Stan |
| The Water of Life | 35:55 | Read by John Van Stan |
| The King's New Amour | 12:45 | Read by John Van Stan |
| Two Birds with One Stone | 5:41 | Read by John Van Stan |
| The Plan of Action | 6:18 | Read by John Van Stan |
| Too Good a Teacher | 5:00 | Read by John Van Stan |
| A Terrible Wedding Night | 16:05 | Read by John Van Stan |
Reviews
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)