the three musketeers review

The Three Musketeers

            The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas is a classic adventurous book. It is one of the most famous historical romances ever written. The Three Musketeers is actually the first and most well-known book in the d’Artagnan Romances. Alexandre Dumas was one of the most prolific writers in the 19^th century. He was half-white and half black. His area of expertise was in historical adventure. He wrote a lot of books most notably The Count of Monte Cristo and The Man in the Iron Mask. The Three Musketeers is arguably one of the most famous as well as best books of all-time.

            The setting of The Three Musketeers is seventh century Paris, France and trips to England. At this time France and England are in conflict. Dumas uses this to his advantage and blends it in his work beautifully. Dumas uses actual historical figures in his book and that takes the book to a whole other level. The use of the historical accuracy and the occasional twist of historical accuracy make this book extremely readable.

             The main character is d’Artagnan, a poor boy from Gascony who travels to Paris in hopes of becoming a musketeer. The three musketeers are Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. Athos is the most important musketeer. He is wise, smart, wise, and a good swordsman. Porthos is somewhat of a controlled loose cannon. He can be an exuberant guy, but always puts his friends before himself. Aramis is a quiet man. He was supposed to become a priest before becoming a musketeer.

            The plot for The Three Musketeers is extremely well thought out and captivating. Cardinal Richelieu wants to start a war between France and England. He knows the Queen is having an affair with the Duke of Buckingham, who has received from her the diamonds that the King gave her as a gift. The Cardinal tells the Kings to have a party and to ask the Queen to wear the diamonds. The Cardinal hopes the absence of the diamonds will uncover her affair with Buckingham thus causing a war with England and France. Constance, the lady who d’Artagnan has fallen in love with AKA the Queen’s lady in waiting, has learned of this problem and asks d’Artagnan and the musketeers to retrieve the diamonds from the Cardinal’s possession before the party. The fate of peace between France and England lays in the hands of an aspiring musketeer and his musketeer friends.

            I really like the author’s style. At first all the French names had me confused but I eventually got who was who. Dumas is able to cram a lot of information into small space. He creates a confusing web of things going on but that makes the reader that much more in to it. He allows you to try to guess what’ll happen next. I really like the use of description is the key in this book. I also like the well thought out plot. Dumas puts the reader deep into the book very easily.

“Porthos: He thinks he can challenge the mighty Porthos with a sword... 
D'Artagnan: The mighty who? 
Porthos: Don't tell me you've never heard of me. 
D'Artagnan: The world's biggest windbag? 
Porthos: Little pimple... meet me behind the Luxembourg at 1 o'clock and bring a long wooden box. 
D'Artagnan: Bring your own... 
Porthos: [laughs]”

            I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a book about saving the good guy, beating the bad guy and things of that nature. This is one of the most captivating well thought out books I have read. If you like classic adventure books, I would recommend reading The Three Musketeers.