The Three Musketeers: Illustrated Young Readers' Edition

By Alexandre Dumas and Brett Helquist

All For One, One For All!

When daring young swordsman d’Artagnan travels to Paris seeking honor and fortune in the king’s Guard, he quickly befriends the famed three Musketeers—Athos, Porthos, and Aramis.

Loyal servants to the crown, the four friends cross swords with street criminals, face the cardinal’s Guards—who seek to destroy them—in duels to the death, and save the honor of the queen by unraveling treasonous schemes in a race against time. It will take epic courage, chivalry, and skill to thwart the plots against them and achieve victory at last.

Carefully adapted and abridged, this young reader’s edition of Alexandre Dumas’s classic swashbuckling tale of adventure, swordplay, and unbreakable friendship is enriched with brand-new, action-packed illustrations by renowned artist Brett Helquist.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Sep 27, 2011
• ISBN: 9780062093479

Alexandre Dumas

Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870), one of the most universally read French authors, is best known for his extravagantly adventurous historical novels. As a young man, Dumas emerged as a successful playwright and had considerable involvement in the Parisian theater scene. It was his swashbuckling historical novels that brought worldwide fame to Dumas. Among his most loved works are The Three Musketeers (1844), and The Count of Monte Cristo (1846). He wrote more than 250 books, both Fiction and Non-Fiction, during his lifetime.

Book preview

Chapter 1. The Three Presents of d’Artagnan the Elder

In 1625, a young man of eighteen arrived in the town of Meung. Too big for a youth, too small for a grown man, an experienced eye might have taken him for a farmer’s son had it not been for the long sword.

His steed was an elderly pony, yellow in hide, without a hair in its tail. Unfortunately, young d’Artagnan—for such was his name—could not conceal from himself the ridiculous appearance the steed gave him. He had sighed when accepting the pony from his father. The words that had accompanied the present were above all price.

Image Missing

Young d’Artagnan could not conceal from himself the ridiculous appearance the steed gave him.

My son, said the old Gascon gentleman, "sustain worthily your name of gentleman. Endure nothing from anyone except Monsieur le Cardinal and the king. It is by courage alone that a gentleman can make his way. You ought to be brave for two reasons: first that you are a Gascon, second that you are my son. I have taught you how to handle a sword; you have a wrist of steel. Fight on all occasions. Fight the more for duels being forbidden. I have nothing to give you, my son, but fifteen crowns, my horse, and the counsels you have just heard. Your mother will add a recipe for a balsam which cures all wounds that do not reach the heart. Live happily and long.

I propose an example to you: Monsieur de Treville, captain of the Musketeers. Go to him with this letter, and make him your model.

Upon which M. d’Artagnan the elder girded his own sword round his son.

With such advice, d’Artagnan took every smile for an insult—his fist was constantly doubled, his hand on the hilt of his sword; and yet the fist did not descend, nor did the sword issue from its scabbard. The sight of the pony excited smiles from passersby; but as against the side of this pony rattled a sword, they repressed their hilarity. D’Artagnan remained majestic till he came to Meung.

There, alighting from his horse at the gate of the Jolly Miller, d’Artagnan spied, through an open window, a gentleman talking with two persons. The gentleman was enumerating d’Artagnan’s horse’s qualities to his listeners, who every moment burst into fits of laughter. As a half-smile was sufficient to awaken the irascibility of the young man, the effect of this mirth may be easily imagined.

D’Artagnan perceived a man of some forty years, with black eyes, a strongly marked nose, and a black and well-shaped mustache. At the moment in which d’Artagnan saw him, the gentleman made one of his remarks, his listeners laughed louder, and he himself smiled. There could be no doubt; d’Artagnan was insulted. Endeavoring to copy the court airs he had picked up among young traveling nobles, he advanced with one hand on the hilt of his sword and the other on his hip. As he advanced, his anger increased; and instead of lofty speech, he found nothing at the tip of his tongue but a gross personality.

I say, you, hiding behind that shutter—yes, you, tell me what you are laughing at, and we will laugh together!

The gentleman raised his eyes as if to determine whether it could be to him that such strange reproaches were addressed, then replied, I was not speaking to you, sir.

But I am speaking to you! replied the young man.

The stranger came out of the hostelry and placed himself by d’Artagnan. The ironical expression of his countenance redoubled the mirth of the persons with whom he had been talking.

D’Artagnan drew his sword out of the scabbard.

This horse is decidedly a buttercup, resumed the stranger, a color well known in botany, but rare among horses.

There are people who laugh at the horse that would not dare to laugh at the master, cried d’Artagnan.

I do not often laugh, sir, replied the stranger, but I retain the privilege of laughing when I please.

And I, cried d’Artagnan, will allow no man to laugh when it displeases me!

Indeed, sir, continued the stranger, calmer than ever, and turning on his heel, was about to reenter the hostelry.

D’Artagnan followed him, crying, Turn, Master Joker, lest I strike you behind!

Strike me! said the other, turning and surveying him with astonishment. Why, you must be mad! D’Artagnan made such a furious lunge at him that if he had not sprung nimbly backward, it is probable he would have jested for the last time. The stranger drew his sword, saluted his adversary, and placed himself en garde. At the same moment, his two auditors, accompanied by the host, fell upon d’Artagnan with sticks. This caused such a diversion from the attack that d’Artagnan’s adversary sheathed his sword and became a spectator, muttering, A plague upon him! Replace him on his orange horse, and let him begone!

Not before I have killed you, poltroon! cried d’Artagnan.

By my honor, the other said, these Gascons are incorrigible! When he is tired, he will tell us that he has had enough.

But d’Artagnan was not the man ever to cry for quarter. The fight was prolonged; but at length d’Artagnan dropped his sword, which was broken in two pieces by the blow of a stick. Another blow full upon his forehead brought him to the ground, covered with blood. The host carried the wounded man into the kitchen.

As to the gentleman, he resumed his place at the window.

How is it with this madman? he exclaimed, turning as the noise of the door announced the entrance of the host.

He is better, said the host, he fainted quite away. First, he collected all his strength to challenge you.

Why, this fellow must be the devil! cried the stranger.

No, not the devil, replied the host, with a grin of contempt. We rummaged his bag and found nothing but a clean shirt and eleven crowns—which did not prevent his saying that if such a thing had happened in Paris, you should have cause to repent of it. He struck his pocket and said, ‘We shall see what Monsieur de Treville will think of this insult offered to his protégé.’

Monsieur de Treville? said the stranger. He put his hand upon his pocket while pronouncing the name Monsieur de Treville? You did not fail, I am sure, to ascertain what that pocket contained?

A letter addressed to Monsieur de Treville, captain of the Musketeers.

The host did not observe the expression that his words had given to the stranger. The latter knitted his brow.

Can Treville have set this Gascon upon me? murmured he. A sword thrust is a sword thrust, whatever the age of him who gives it. Host, where is he?

In my wife’s chamber, they are dressing his wounds.

His things are with him?

Everything is in the kitchen. If he annoys you—

To be sure he does. Go; make out my bill and notify my servant.

What the devil! said the host to himself. Can he be afraid of this boy? He bowed and retired.

It is not necessary for Milady to be seen by this fellow, continued the stranger. I should like, however, to know what this letter contains.

And the stranger directed his steps toward the kitchen.

In the meantime, the host, who entertained no doubt that it was the presence of the young man that drove the stranger from his hostelry, reascended to his wife’s chamber and found d’Artagnan recovering his senses. Giving him to understand that the police would deal with him severely for having sought a quarrel with a great lord—for in the opinion of the host the stranger could be nothing less—he insisted d’Artagnan depart. D’Artagnan, half stupefied, began to descend the stairs; the first thing he saw was his antagonist talking calmly at the step of a carriage to a woman.

This woman’s beauty struck d’Artagnan more forcibly from its being totally different from that of the southern countries in which he had resided. She was pale and fair, with long curls falling over her shoulders, had large, blue, languishing eyes, rosy lips, and hands of alabaster. She was talking with great animation with the stranger.

His Eminence, then, orders me— said the lady.

To return instantly to England. Inform him as soon as the duke leaves London.

My other instructions? asked the fair traveler.

Are contained in this box, which you will open on the other side of the Channel.

Very well; what will you do?

I return to Paris.

Without chastising this insolent boy? asked the lady.

D’Artagnan precipitated himself over the threshold of the door.

This insolent boy chastises others, cried he, and this time he whom he ought to chastise will not escape him. Before a woman you would dare not fly, I presume?

Remember, said Milady, the least delay may ruin everything.

You are right, cried the gentleman. Begone, and I will depart. He sprang into his saddle, while the lady’s coachman applied his whip vigorously to his horses. They took opposite directions.

Base coward! cried d’Artagnan, springing forward. Scarcely had he gone ten steps when a cloud of blood passed over his eyes, and he fell, crying, Coward!

He is a coward, indeed, grumbled the host, endeavoring to make up matters with the young man.

Yes, murmured d’Artagnan, but she was very beautiful.

What she? demanded the host.

Milady, faltered d’Artagnan, and fainted a second time.

I have lost two customers, but one remains, said the host. There will be eleven crowns gained.

It is to be remembered that eleven crowns was just the sum in d’Artagnan’s purse.

The host had reckoned upon eleven days of confinement at a crown a day, but had reckoned without his guest. The next morning d’Artagnan asked, among other ingredients, for oil, wine, and rosemary, and with his mother’s recipe composed a balsam, with which he anointed his wounds, and was almost cured by the morrow.

When the time came to pay for his rosemary, oil, and wine, d’Artagnan found nothing in his pocket but his purse; the letter for M. de Treville had disappeared. The young man flew into such a rage as was near costing him a fresh consumption of wine, oil, and rosemary—for upon seeing this hotheaded youth threaten to destroy everything in the establishment, the host seized a spit, his wife a broom handle, and the servants the sticks they had used the day before.

My letter of recommendation! cried d’Artagnan. I will spit you like ortolans!

There was an obstacle to the accomplishment of this threat; his sword had been in his first conflict broken in two. When d’Artagnan drew, he found himself armed with a stump about eight inches long.

This would not have stopped our fiery young man if the host had not reflected that the reclamation his guest made was perfectly just.

But, after all, said he, lowering his spit, where is this letter?

Yes, where is this letter? cried d’Artagnan. It is for Monsieur de Treville, and he will know how to find it.

His threat completed the intimidation of the host. After the king and the cardinal, M. de Treville was perhaps the most respected man in France. Throwing down his spit, he commenced a search for the lost letter.

Does the letter contain anything valuable? demanded the host.

It does indeed! cried the Gascon, who reckoned upon this letter for making his way at court. But the money is nothing; that letter was everything.

A ray of light broke upon the mind of the host.

That letter is not lost! cried he. It has been stolen. The gentleman who was here yesterday came down into the kitchen, where your doublet was. He remained there some time alone. I would lay a wager he has stolen it.

Do you think so? answered d’Artagnan, little convinced, as he knew how entirely personal the value of this letter was.

I am sure of it, continued the host. When I informed him that your lordship was the protégé of Monsieur de Treville, and had a letter for that gentleman, he asked where that letter was, and immediately came down into the kitchen.

That’s my thief, replied d’Artagnan. I will complain to Monsieur de Treville, and Monsieur de Treville will complain to the king. He drew two crowns majestically from his purse and gave them to the host, then remounted his yellow horse, which bore him to Paris, where his owner sold him for three crowns. The dealer to whom d’Artagnan sold him did not conceal that he only gave that sum on the account of the originality of his color.

Thus d’Artagnan entered Paris and walked about till he found an apartment to be let on terms suited to the scantiness of his means.

As soon as the money was paid, d’Artagnan took possession of his lodging, and passed the remainder of the day sewing onto his doublet some ornamental braiding and having a new blade put to his sword.

After this, full of hope for the future, he retired to bed and slept the sleep of the brave. This sleep brought him to nine o’clock in the morning, at which hour he rose, in order to repair to the residence of M. de Treville.

Chapter 2. The Antechamber of M. de Treville

M. de Treville had commenced life as d’Artagnan did: without a sou in his pocket, but with a fund of audacity and intelligence.

Treville was endowed with an obedient intelligence like a dog, with a blind valor, a quick eye, and a prompt hand; to him sight appeared to be given to see if the king were dissatisfied with anyone, and the hand to strike this displeasing person. At last Louis XIII made Treville the captain of his devoted Musketeers.

The cardinal had his Musketeers as Louis XIII had his, and these powerful rivals vied in procuring the most celebrated swordsmen. It was not uncommon for Richelieu and Louis XIII to dispute over their evening game of chess the merits of their servants.

Treville paraded his Musketeers before the cardinal with an insolent air that made the mustache of His Eminence curl with ire. Loose, half-drunk, imposing, the king’s Musketeers spread themselves about in the cabarets, in the public walks, and the public sports, shouting, twisting their mustaches, clanking their swords, taking pleasure in annoying the Guards of the cardinal, drawing in the open streets, sometimes killed, often killing others, but certain of not rotting in prison, M. de Treville being there to claim them.

The court of his house resembled a military camp. In the antechamber, upon long circular benches, reposed the elect, while M. de Treville in his office, like the king in his balcony at the Louvre, had only to place himself at the window to review his men.

On the day on which d’Artagnan presented himself, the assemblage was imposing. When he had passed the massive door, he fell into the midst of a troop of swordsmen playing tricks one with another. Our young man advanced with that half-smile of the embarrassed provincial who wishes to put on a good face. For the first time in his life, d’Artagnan felt ridiculous.

At the staircase, it was worse. There were four Musketeers on the steps, amusing themselves. One, upon the top stair, naked sword in hand, endeavored to prevent the three others from ascending. These others fenced against him with their agile swords. D’Artagnan at first took these weapons for foils, but soon perceived that every weapon was pointed and sharpened. D’Artagnan had seen a few of the preliminaries of duels; but the daring of these four fencers appeared to him the strongest he had ever heard of.

On the landing they were no longer fighting, but amused themselves with stories about women, and in the antechamber, with stories about the court. On the landing d’Artagnan blushed; in the antechamber he trembled. His imagination had never dreamed of half the amorous wonders or a quarter of the feats of gallantry set forth. His morals were shocked on the landing, his respect for the cardinal was scandalized in the antechamber. That great man served as an object of ridicule to the Musketeers, who cracked jokes upon his bandy legs and crooked back. Some sang ballads about his mistress; while others formed parties to annoy the Guards of the cardinal duke—all things that appeared to d’Artagnan monstrous impossibilities.

These fellows will be imprisoned or hanged, thought the terrified d’Artagnan, and I with them. He dared not join in the conversation, only looked and listened; and felt himself led by his instincts to praise rather than blame the unheard-of things taking place.

At length somebody came and asked him what he wanted. D’Artagnan begged the servant to request a moment’s audience of M. de Treville.

D’Artagnan, a little recovered from his first surprise, had now leisure to study costumes and physiognomy.

The center of the most animated group was a Musketeer of great height and haughty countenance, dressed in a costume so peculiar as to attract general attention. He did not wear the uniform cloak, but a cerulean-blue doublet, and over this a magnificent baldric, worked in gold, which shone like water in the sun. A long cloak of crimson velvet fell in graceful folds from his shoulders, disclosing in front the splendid baldric, from which was suspended a gigantic rapier. This Musketeer complained of having a cold, and coughed from time to time. It was for this reason, he said, that he wore his cloak; and while he twisted his mustache disdainfully, all admired his baldric.

What would you have? said the Musketeer. One must lay out one’s inheritance somehow.

Ah, Porthos! cried one of his companions. Don’t try to make us believe you obtained that baldric by paternal generosity. It was given to you by that veiled lady I met you with the other Sunday.

No, I bought it with the contents of my own purse, answered he whom they designated Porthos.

Yes, in the same manner, said another Musketeer, that I bought this purse with what my mistress put into the old one.

Is it not true, Aramis? said Porthos, turning toward another Musketeer.

This other Musketeer formed a perfect contrast to his interrogator. He was a stout man, of about three-and-twenty, with an open countenance and cheeks rosy and downy as an autumn peach. He answered his friend by an affirmative nod.

This affirmation appeared to dispel all doubts. They continued to admire the baldric, but said no more about it.

Monsieur de Treville awaits Monsieur d’Artagnan, cried a servant, throwing open the door of the cabinet.

At this announcement, during which the door remained open, everyone became mute. The young man entered the apartment of the captain of the Musketeers.

Chapter 3. The Audience

M. de Treville saluted the young man, but making a sign as if to ask his permission to finish with others before he began with him, called:

Athos! Porthos! Aramis!

The two Musketeers with whom we have already made acquaintance advanced. Their appearance, although not quite at ease, excited by its carelessness the admiration of d’Artagnan.

When the door was closed behind them, when M. de Treville had three or four times paced in silence the whole length of his cabinet, he stopped in front of them, and, with an angry look, Do you know what the king said to me, cried he, yesterday evening?

No, replied the two Musketeers, sir, we do not.

But I hope that you will tell us, added Aramis, in his politest tone.

He told me that he should henceforth recruit his Musketeers from among the Guards of Monsieur le Cardinal.

The two Musketeers reddened. D’Artagnan wished himself a hundred feet underground.

His Majesty was right, continued M. de Treville. "The Musketeers make a miserable figure at court. The cardinal related yesterday that those damned Musketeers, those braggarts had made a riot in a cabaret, and that a party of his Guards had been forced to arrest them! Arrest Musketeers! You were among them! You, Aramis, why did you ask me for a uniform when you would have been better in a cassock? And you, Porthos, do you only wear such a fine golden baldric to suspend a sword of straw from it? And Athos—where is he?"

Ill—

Of what malady?

It may be smallpox, sir, replied Porthos, and will certainly spoil his face.

Sick of smallpox at his age! No; wounded, killed, perhaps. Messieurs Musketeers, I will not have this quarreling in the streets. Above all, I will not have occasion given for the cardinal’s Guards to laugh at you! They would prefer dying on the spot to being arrested.

Porthos and Aramis trembled with rage. They could have strangled M. de Treville, if they had not felt it was the great love he bore them that made him speak thus. They stamped upon the carpet with their feet, bit their lips till the blood came, and grasped the hilts of their swords.

The king’s Musketeers arrested by the Guards of the cardinal? continued M. de Treville, as furious as his soldiers. Six of His Eminence’s Guards arrest six of His Majesty’s Musketeers! I will give in my resignation as captain of the king’s Musketeers to take a lieutenancy in the cardinal’s Guards.

D’Artagnan looked for some tapestry behind which he might hide.

My Captain, said Porthos, we were six against six. But we were not captured by fair means; before we had time to draw our swords, two of our party were dead, and Athos grievously wounded. And we did not surrender! They dragged us away by force. On the way we escaped. As for Athos, they believed him dead, and left him on the field of battle. What the devil, Captain, one cannot win all one’s battles!

And I have the honor of assuring you that I killed one with his own sword, said Aramis, for mine was broken at the first parry.

I did not know that, replied M. de Treville, in a softened tone. The cardinal exaggerated, I perceive.

Pray, sir, continued Aramis, do not say that Athos is wounded. As the wound penetrates into the chest, it is to be feared—

At this instant the tapestry was raised and a noble head, frightfully pale, appeared.

Athos! cried the two Musketeers.

You have sent for me, sir, said Athos to M. de Treville, in a feeble yet calm voice. I am here.

At these words, the Musketeer, in irreproachable costume, entered the cabinet. M. de Treville, moved to the bottom of his heart by this proof of courage, sprang toward him.

I was about to say, said he, that I forbid my Musketeers to expose their lives needlessly; brave men are dear to the king, and his Musketeers are the bravest on earth. Your hand, Athos!

Then Athos fell upon the floor as if he were dead.

A surgeon! cried M. de Treville. Or my brave Athos will die!

This eager attention might have been useless if the doctor had not chanced to be in the hotel. He pushed through the crowd and required that the Musketeer should be carried into an adjoining chamber.

At length, M. de Treville returned. The injured man

Reviews for The Three Musketeers

[lysander07 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

For sure you will think 'hey, why is he reading that old children's book again?', but no, you're wrong. I've read this masterpiece of Alexandre Dumas for the very first time. Of course, everybody knows the story. We all have seen so many movies and remakes of movies, and the musketeers have become a cliché even long ago. But, I had the chance to get a rather old copy. It's an almost 100 years old german translation (of course in old german typesetting). And one thing about the book is, it's language is remarkable and so different compared to today's german. But before I'll go into details, let me rather briefely recapitulate the story (in german....):Wir schreiben das Jahr 1625. D'Artagnan, der arme Sohn eines Landadeligen aus der Gascogne will sein Glück als Musketier in der Garde des Herrn von Treville - also der Leibgarde des Königs Ludwig XIII. - versuchen. Ausgestattet mit einem Empfehlungsschreiben seines Vaters, einem altgedienten Musketier gerät er, der sich wie alle Gasconier (so Dumas) leicht in seiner Ehre gekränkt sieht, in eine Auseinandersetzung mit einem mysteriösen Gardisten des Kardinals Richelieu. Bevor es aber zu einem Duell kommt, wird er vom Küchenpersonal der Landschenke, in der er Rast macht, niedergeschlagen und seines Empfehlungsschreibens beraubt.In Paris angekommen versucht er sich dennoch um eine Audienz bei Herrn von Treville und verstrickt sich im Laufe des Tages - natürlich bedingt durch sein aufbrausendes Temperament ebenso wie durch seine eigene Tollpatschigkeit - in sage und schreibe drei Duelle mit drei Musketieren des Königs, namentlich mit den drei Freunden Athos, Aramis und Portos. Verabredet im Park von Saint Germaine werden alle vier überrascht von einer Patrouille des Kardinals. D'Artagnan bietet den drei Freunden seine Hilfe beim bevorstehenden Degengefecht an, aus dem die Musketiere siegreich hervorgehen.....und das ist der Beginn einer Reihe äußerst spannend zu lesender Abenteuer.....Die eigentliche Handlung ist ja aus diversen Filmen bekannt, allerding ist die Charakterzeichnung Dumas sprachlich natürlich noch wesentlich reizvoller als deren filmische Umsetzung. Für mich wird wohl immer die Verfilmung aus den 70er Jahren mit Michael York als D'Artagnan, Oliver Reed als Athos und Richard Chamberlain als Aramis (wer den Portos gespielt hat fällt mir nicht ein....war aber jemand, den ich sonst nicht weiter kannte) DIE VERFILMUNG überhaupt bleiben. Besonders schön - neben einem beeindruckenden Oliver Reed und unberechenbaren Charlton Heston als Kardinal Richelieu - war wohl die Tatsache, dass sich anscheinend keine der Romanfiguren (außer den Bösewichtern) in dieser Verfilmung wirklich ernst nimmt. Ach und natürlich Racquel Welch als wohlgefomte und unwiderstehliche Constanze, Geraldine Chaplin als porzellanfarbene, zerbrechliche Königin und Faye Dunaway als durchtrieben böse verführerische Mylady deWinter. Der Film (d.h. die Verfilmung des kompletten Romans) kam damals ja in zwei Teilen in die Kinos und es braucht seine Zeit, die über 700 Seiten des Romans in Szene zu setzen. Ach, fast hätte ich den Erzbösewicht Rouchford vergessen, den Mann mit der Narbe, hinter dem D'Artagnan den ganzen Roman über her ist. Der wird in besagter Verfilmung von Christopher Lee (unser aller 60er/70er Jahre Dracula) gespielt.Daneben gabe es zahlreiche weitere Verfilmungen an die ich mich erinnern kann. Angefangen von einer UFA Verfilmung aus den 30er Jahren über einen ersten Farbfilm mit Gene Kelly in der Hauptrolle [to be continued.....] und dann natürlich auch noch diverse Verfilmungen aus den 80er Jahren. Die letzte bemerkenswerte Verfilmung des Musketierstoffes betrifft einen späteren Roman Dumas, nämlich 'Den Mann mit der eisernen Maske' (auch unter dem Titel '10 Jahre danach' oder 'Der Vicomte von Bragelonne' erschienen), der vorallem mit seiner Besetzungsliste der bereits etwas gealterten Haudegen brillierte (Gerard Depardieu, Jeremy Irons, John Malkovich....).Mein Fazit: Der Roman hat es in sich! Kein Wunder, das er sich über 150 Jahre internationaler Beliebtheit erfreuen kann. Natürlich darf man keine allzu tiefgründigen Charakterstudien und innere Monologe erwarten, aber Dumas gelingt es, seine Figuren nicht nur in haarsträubend flott erzählte Abenteuer zu verwickeln, sondern ihnen auch noch ziemlich viel Persönlichkeit mit auf den Weg zu geben. Besonders deutlich wird das an der unberechenbaren Gestalt der Lady deWinter und D'artagnans ambiguen Gefühlsaufwallungen ihr gegenüber. So liebt er sie auf der einen Seite (oder ist zumindest immens verliebt..) wie er sie auf der anderen Seite als Geschöpf des Kardinals zutiefst hasst.Also, LESEN! und am besten nicht die aktuellen Übersetzungen, sondern eine ältere (vor 1930), um sich an der mitunter barocken Sprachgewalt zu erfreuen.......

[john257hopper · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a re-read of this most famous of Dumas novels, featuring the derring do of the title characters and their young friend and would be fellow musketeer D'Artagnan, one of the most famous characters in French literature. I remembered almost no detail from my first read nearly twenty years ago. While this is light-hearted and quite comical in places, there are also dramatic passages, episodes of cruelty and horror, and a splendid female villain. The illustrations are well done too. This is a splendidly enjoyable novel that can appeal to readers of all ages.

[judithproctor · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I'd been looking for a good modern translation and this is it. The text flows well and I really appreciated the historical references at the back (though I'd have loved them even more if they were footnotes and I didn't have to keep flicking to the back pages).The story races along. The musketeers are far from being the most ethical of men by modern standards, but we love them anyway. (The TV version tones down Porthos's love of expensive clothes, Athos's drinking, everyone's gambling, etc.)

[parp-4 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Good read for young people.

[widsith_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good fun. I feel after nearly 900 pages I should have something more to say about this, but it's really one of those books where Story and Event is everything and literary quality is secondary. It held my interest the whole way, though, with plenty of dashing cavaliers, heaving bosoms, secret lovers, dastardly plots, coded messages, mistaken identities, and the rest of the ingredients for an early-Romantic pot-boiler. Make no mistake, derring will be done and swashes will be buckled!Our scene is the mid-seventeenth century, as France is trying to repair the wounds of the Wars of Religion, and building up to the famous Siege of La Rochelle, the last stronghold of French Protestantism. King Louis XIII is somewhat estranged from his young, beautiful wife, who is suspected of having an affair with an English nobleman; and behind the king is the original eminence grise, his first minister Cardinal Richelieu, whose network of spies covers all of Europe.Don't expect too much historical accuracy here – Dumas changes dates and invents characters pretty much whenever he feels like it, and the text is so full of historical anachronisms (references to Botany Bay for instance) that I gave up keeping track of them all. Anyway, who cares about historical accuracy when you're having this much fun? Our titular musketeers, as well as wannabe musketeer and hotheaded provincial d'Artagnan, blunder through this world, tangling themselves up in political intrigues, romantic liaisons, and generally causing or resolving international incidents.Their values are not our own. ‘Bad guys’ are killed left and right without a second thought, and d'Artagnan's great love interest is a married woman. His behaviour during the seduction of poor chambermaid Ketty would probably have been described as ‘masterful’ once; nowadays, ‘rapey’ seems like a better word. But these sorts of WTF moments are all part of the fun of this kind of novel.As everyone I think acknowledges, the greatest character in the book, stealing every scene she appears in, is Milady, one of the cardinal's chief agents and a thoroughly bad-ass femme fatale. She has been poorly served by film adaptations – as has the book in general, for that matter. It would make a great TV series. The action is naturally episodic anyway, with two distinct story arcs – the second building to the siege of La Rochelle, and the first centring on the theft of the Queen's ferrets de diamants (which I imagine must have given translators a bit of trouble – I would say ‘diamond aiguillettes’ but I'm curious as to how published English versions render this).If you grew up in the time and place I did, it's impossible to read this without a certain theme tune going through your head—One of all and all for one!Muskahounds are always ready,One for all and all for one!Helping everybody…and honestly, the book was just as much fun for me as a grown-up as Dogtanian was when I was a kid.

[mldavis2 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I'm glad to have read this classic, but I ended a bit disappointed following Dumas' "The Count of Monte Cristo" which is one of my all time favorites. Typical of the time period, perhaps, this novel tended to be a bit slow in development and overly dramatic, with characters taking personal affront at the slightest indecency and taking matters into their own hands for revenge. A swashbuckling adventure, to be sure and a classic in the world of literature, it nevertheless seemed a bit over the top to me and lacked the subtlety and restraint and latent hostility of Dumas' other work. The ending is clever with an economy of characters but I didn't feel the novel worthy of the 700 pages devoted to the story.

[boabflower_1 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I really wanted to like this book, but didn't, in that I am disappointed. The men in this story are revolting - they use people, bribe people, ridicule people and love to kill people - there was not a lot to like here!

[benuathanasia · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of my favorites! Milady is a fascinating character study. She deserves her own story. Yes, the evil, man-destroying succubus was stereotypical even by the time this was written, but Milady is so brilliantly written, I can happily look past that.

[priscillam_80 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is truely a great read. The three Musketeers plus d'Artangan, hotheaded, fickle, jovial and ruthless at the same time, but very lovable characters pit themselves against the menacing interfering Cardinal Richelieu and the unparralleled villain of M'lady de Winter as they fight for love & honour amidst some dangerous intrigues of the French Royal court.

[ajaygx · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Brilliant read...Alexandre Dumas literally plays for the screen... you can imagine the entire story coming alive... with all the twists and turns in the story

[soyoyo-1 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I think I do not like classics

[shanaqui_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I tried reading this when I was younger. I suspect my failure was partly due to lack of interest, and partly due to a bad translator. I've found the Penguin "Read Red" series, so far as I've read them, to be pretty well translated and easy to read. Including this one.

The Three Musketeers is an unrepentant adventure story, with some politics and romance thrown in. It's exciting to read -- it only took me so long because I got distracted: shame on me -- and fun. It isn't that heavy on characterisation, I suppose. For the most part we don't learn much about the musketeers, only what they are doing at the immediate time. Possibly Milady gets the most character building, since she's so evil and we see so much of her during the last part of the book.

Not all of it is happy fun adventure, I suppose: there are some bits that drag. Possibly if you found a good abridgement, that'd be worthwhile. But I liked the way it all came together. I'm a little sad that I don't actually own it, and it's going back to the library, but that's easily remedied. Once I'm allowed to buy books again, anyway...

[gunnargrey · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As swashbuckling as I remember, even though it's been several decades since I'd read this classic. Did find myself skimming through the chapters with Milady's verbal seduction of her jailer; brilliantly done, but it went on for too long, IMO. The ending's perfect. One star down for the skimming.

[snukes-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I read this because I wanted to read Man in the Iron Mask, but wanted to know how the stories were tied together first. It was much drier than I expected. Still, interesting for the historical perspective.

[bookworm12_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

So based on my experience with half a dozen movie versions of this book, I assumed the Cardinal was the big baddie and the story was mainly about the three musketeers. Reading it proved it to be a very different book. The Cardinal is certainly not the hero, but his role is more ambiguous than I expected. The true villain is actually the Lady DiWinter and oh my gosh, she is fantastic! I wish this book was called Don’t Mess with DiWinter. I have never encountered a more manipulative genius in literature! She’s a deadly version of Scarlett O’Hara. Everything she does is perfectly calculated. The book didn’t really click for me until she took center stage. Honestly, I could have done without about half of the scenes with D'Artagnan, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. They are all great swashbuckling scenes, but their silliness is a bit exhausting. Aramis wants to be a priest, but he doesn’t really because he’s in love with a woman. Porthos is a preening fool who uses different women to fund his extravagant lifestyle. Athos, also known as emo boy, is moody and dramatic. Sure we soon learn why he is the way he is and it’s a great reason, but still the emo tendencies get a bit old. D'Artagnan is the biggest goof of them all. When he isn’t challenging every man he meets to a duel, he’s falling in love with every woman he meets. Ironically the woman who he first falls for and who continues to love him is named Constance; her love is constant, while his certainly is not. The book begins as D'Artagnan heads to Paris to join the king’s guard and become a musketeer. He meets three musketeers along the way, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, and after a few misunderstandings the four become inseparable. The cocky quartet is constantly getting into trouble because of the unnecessary risks they take. At the same time they are pretty great at what they do and it’s fun to watch them duel their way out of every situation. “I foresee plainly that if we don’t kill each other, I shall hereafter have much pleasure in your conversation.” BOTTOM LINE: The Three Musketeers doesn’t have the same complexity and depth as The Count of Monte Cristo and so it’s not quite as satisfying. It is a really fun read and gives us some wonderful characters. Lady DiWinter is certainly one that I’ll never forget. I’m looking forward to reading some of the other books in the D'Artagnan series. “It was one of those events which decide the life of a man; it was a choice between the king and the cardinal.” “He gave a sigh for that unaccountable destiny which leads men to destroy each other for the interests of people who are strangers to them and who often do not even know that they exist.” 

[merrymeerkat · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Ok but hard to follow.

[akreese · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I'm sure most people are familiar with the story line of The Three Musketeers from hollywood movies, but what you don't get in the movies is Dumas' wonderful dry wit. This book is an excellent read, and if you are willing to push through some of the dry parts you will be amply rewarded with an exciting tale.

[tryion · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Michael York films of the 70's capture the spirit of this book, but there are surprises in store for some of the characters!

[adonisguilfoyle · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Accessible, witty translation of a classic, and a quick, enjoyable read for all its bulk! Milady de Winter is now one of my favourite literary heroines: smart, beautiful, glamorous and active, she is always scheming, ever alluring, and the most vivid character in the book. Painted as a serpent and a devil, it seems her only 'crime' is to have been smarter than the many men in her life, most of whom, used up and spat out, come seeking vengeance. I am firmly in Milady's corner, however, as she is as much wronged as wrong-doer, and at least has the strength to move on and enjoy her life. An evocative tale of seventeenth century France, with a smattering of history amidst the camaraderie, desire, honour and fighting.

[misfit_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What fun! This books just jumps right out and keeps moving along (except for a couple of slow spots -- but needed to develop the character's past, etc.) The cameraderie between the Musketeers is awesome and they are incredibly wonderful scamps. D'artagnon was adorable, as were Athos, Aramis and Porthos. The evil Milady was truly EVIL and WICKED. The dialogue was awesome, it just crackled right along. I think we all know the basic story and how it ended, but reading the book was much more enjoyable than the movie, as they always are. It did bring back many memories of that wonderful version from the 70's, with Michael York and Raquel Welch. I will have to revisit that, and am looking forward to reading the sequels. Dumas is truly a brilliant author

[slickdpdx · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Athos: Well, D'Artagnan, if he doesn't come, it will be because of some delay. He may have tumbled off his horse or fallen on some slippery deck or ridden so fast against the wind that he is ill with a fever. Let us allow for the unforseen, gentlemen, since all is a gamble and life is a chaplet of minor miseries which, bead by bead, your philosopher tells with a smile. Be philosophers as I am, friends; sit down here and let us drink. (p. 451)

[stbalbach_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An endless adventure breathlessly moving from one scene to the next: sword-fighting duels, court espionage, sex scandals, poisonings, assassinations, undying love. "Les Trois Mousquetaires" was translated into three English versions by 1846. One of these, by William Barrow, is still in print and fairly faithful to the original, available in the Oxford World's Classics 1999 edition. However all of the explicit and many of the implicit references to sexuality had been removed to conform to 19th century English standards, thus making the scenes between d'Aragnan and Milady, for example, confusing and strange. The most recent and new standard English translation is by award-winning translator Richard Pevear (2006). Pevear says in his translation notes that most of the modern translations available today are "textbook examples of bad translation practices" which "give their readers an extremely distorted notion of Dumas's writing."

[soylentgreen23 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I found a really wonderful translation of Dumas's work hiding in a bookstore in Helsinki, and two days later I was finished. It was so brisk and lively, full of wit and bravado and the kind of coarseness that really illustrates the France of those times. D'Artagnan's adventure is as movingly romantic now as it ever was again, and closing the book afterwards felt like saying goodbye to friends far too soon.

[booknivorous · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book stands as a classic definition of the romantic adventure. The story, the heroes, the language, and the action are all here. Folks just don’t write like this anymore, but that’s ok, I can re-read it. It’s that good.

[ck2935 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My favorite book of all time! D'artagnan is just bad. The pain of Athos, the conflict of Aramis, and the rowdiness of Porthos, these characters just leap off the stage. Courage, duty, romance, and honor. What more can you want from litearture?

[clurb · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wonderfully compelling and thoroughly entertaining. Read it for the thrilling adventure or the romantic interest or even for the insights into the politics of the time. A book that makes me feel warm inside.

[tendulkar01_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Justly loved as one of the most enjoyable adventure novels ever written

[theidlewoman · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The classic swashbuckler; I would have to give this edition a mere four stars, however, because there were elements of the translation that I found rather clumsy and which jarred. Only elements, though; most of the book is an unmitigated delight.

[eyejaybee · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Immensely enjoyable, and surprisingly readable. I had expected that this might be rather turgid - not in the least. I was surprised, however, at some of the musketeers' activities. Not for them the rigid confines of the preux chevalier code. They are perfectly happy to bilk innkeepers and landlords, and are not above plain theft. However, one never doubts their adherence to the path of general righteousness. There are great moments of high comedy, too, and I am eagerly looking forward to the sequels. One point that amazed me was that this novel was published in the same year as his "Count of Monte Cristo". Both of them are huge novels and u am intrigued to know more if the basic mechanics of how two such large works were written and published in the nineteenth century. I would heartily recommend this entertaining novel.

[5eva5 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The adventures of d'Artagnan after he leaves home to join the Musketeers of the Guard where he befriends the three most formidable musketeers of the age and gets involved in the many intrigues of the state. This is a favorite of mine since childhood, but this was my first read of the full version (having only read abridged versions for children previously) and it is quite long (and has numerous footnotes), but just as fun and exciting as I was hoping it would be. I absolutely love the exaggerated characters who are so ludicrously gung-ho about their causes, whether they are heroes or villains; Milady deserves a special mention since she is so uncommonly wicked that you can't help but laugh at all her schemes. My copy is a Pevear translation, which is faithful, but perhaps not as elegant as other translations.