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This is a typical Dumas. Lots of action. Plenty of ridiculousness. This one honestly wasn't as exciting as some others. And there's a lot less death and gore than normal. Actually, the only notable thing about it is that its theme is racism and it's the only book he wrote about it despite the fact that he probably experienced quite a lot in his own life. Also, this may be the first book I've read set in Mauritius.

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It may be really nerdy but this book description annoyed me. I mean, if you don't know where Mauritius is shouldn't you look it up before you include it in the book description? I have no idea what edition this is from. I'm currently reading some generic French edition that spit out of Amazon for free.

Am I being too judgemental?

For every pinpoint sharp thing Dumas says about race I guarantee there is a cringingly bad comment about Asians or the simple mindedness of common black people to set it back. Dumas clearly had some shit to work through, and the book reflects the complication of its creator, both speaking against racism and also displaying a large amount of it, internalized or not. I wish I could hate it, but I don't. I wish I could love it, but I can't.

In any event, Henri needed no further education; he already knew the most important thing: Colored men, ALL colored men, were born to respect him, and to obey.