The Three Musketeers

By Alexandre Dumas

A much-loved swashbuckling tale. Cardinal Richileu's machinations are no match for the Musketeer's determination to act "one for all and all for one"! The young D'Artagnan travels to Paris determined to join King Louis XIII's elite guards.

Hot-headed and raring to prove himself, D'Artagnan challenges three strangers to a duel. These strangers are none other than the daring band of Musketeers -- Porthos, Athos and Aramis. D'Artagnan's fearless spirit impresses them and the Musketeers take him under their wing.

Soon, the wicked plots of Cardinal Richelieu and Milady de Winter propel the four musketeers to adventures on horseback, across seas and over rooftops to defend the honour of the Queen and protect the life of the King. This is a rousing tale of thrilling swordplay and royal intrigue, brave friends and the basest treachery.

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• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Mar 5, 2019
• ISBN: 9780735253681

Alexandre Dumas

Frequently imitated but rarely surpassed, Dumas is one of the best known French writers and a master of ripping yarns full of fearless heroes, poisonous ladies and swashbuckling adventurers. his other novels include The Three Musketeers and The Man in the Iron Mask, which have sold millions of copies and been made into countless TV and film adaptions.

Reviews for The Three Musketeers

[zoes_human · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I just couldn't finish it. D'Artagnan is a swaggering ass (or at least he starts out that way), and Dumas writes so well that it's like actually having a douchebag right there in the room with you. I don't need to read a book for that experience; I can just leave my house.

[kuiperdolin · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Un excellent roman, bien meilleur que toutes ses adaptations, et dominé par le remarquable personnage de Milady de Winter. Une histoire particulièrement sombre et triste à bien y regarder, loin du cape et d'épée clichetoneux.

[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.

[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.

[eleanor_eader · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Young D’artagnan and his three Musketeer companions are embroiled in a succession of plots instigated by Cardinal Richeleiu and carried out by the infamous ‘my lady’ or ‘her ladyship’, one of the fiercest and most deceitful female adversaries in literature. I’m glad I finally got around to reading this... overall, the tale makes for an enjoyable, adventuresome romp… not my favourite Dumas, but eminently readable. I found I struggled at first to care about the French politics, but since everything was both necessary to, and interwoven with, the plot, it soon consolidated itself with the rest of the story to become well-paced and dramatic.

[writercity · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An old tale that I will never tire of, for I wished to be a musketeer.

[lukerik-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

WARNING: This book is highly addictive. It contains extremely high levels of swashbuckling. There are also some very funny scenes. Dogtagnan's first meeting with his landlord is particularly well done. The construction is impressive: it's manages to be episodic without losing sight of the plot.

[parp-4 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Good read for young people.

[idiom_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Well swash my buckle and buckle my swash!Loved the books and the Oliver Reed/Raquel Welsh films. But more than anything loved the way that Dumas took time to concentrate on the Baroness and created the first, real modern villaness.One of those books which completely surprises you.En guard!

[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.

[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!

[soyoyo-1 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I think I do not like classics

[awxomeman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is the adventures of d'Artagnan and is friends Porthos, Athos, and Aramis. Together the live by the motto "all for one, and one for all" and protect the rulers of France from the evil Cardinal Richelieu.This story has a little bit of everything, action, adventure, romance, comedy, it just a fun read all around.I would use this book in a unit on French literature or in conjunction with a unit on medieval romances as it shares many of the same themes as they have.

[haloedrain · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I almost put it down in the beginning, despite the better translation, when the only thing that happens is d'Artagnan getting into duels with every single person he meets. The story did become interesting after a while, but the characters really weren't (with the exception of Milady).

And can you use the term "fridging" for a book that takes place prior to the invention of the refrigerator?

[lit_chick_2 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

2007, Blackstone Audiobooks, Read by Simon VanceI love classics and read them often, but The Three Musketeers was not one I could get drawn into. I read The Count of Monte Cristo several years ago, loved it, and it remains one of my all-time favourites. So I hoped to revisit that experience with the first of Dumas’ D’Artagnan Romances. But it was not to be. I felt completely indifferent towards the characters: D’Artanan and the musketeers alike, as well as the scheming Cardinal and Milady.I cannot not recommend Dumas and this well-loved classic, but I will say that readers who loved [The Count] will not necessarily have a similar experience with this one. The audio version is narrated by the inimitable Simon Vance, so it certainly has that in its favour.

[groovykinda · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It's not every day I stop while reading a book to say to myself: "Wow. I'm really having a lot of fun." This book and the sequels are a great time.

[alera_6 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I went into this novel expecting exactly what I got. A young man falling into a game of political schemes, running into fights with all the wrong people, and meeting three gentlemen who would became his greatest companions. It was a nice read, and I can completely understand how these books have lasted as the inspiration for the 'adventure' genre. At it's base it's about a man, going out with his friends, protecting the honor of a lady, and in the end being rewarded by his own enemy for his wit, intellect, and ability to handle a sword.

[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.

[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.)

[cyderry · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a well-known story so I won't bore you with rehashing the tale. I have been trying in the last few years to read Classics that I have on my shelf and never cracked open. This was one that I chose for this year and several other readers joined me in a group read. I have to admit that I thought I knew the story because I had seen the movies (both versions) and I thought they probably didn't range too far from the book but I was wrong. I found as I was reading this over two months that it took me to places that I hadn't seen in either movie and character depths that were unexplored came to life. I'm not someone that normally enjoys the Classics, but this was an exception.

[bibliostuff · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is an admirable adventure story with which most everyone is familiar; however, if you’ve never read the book, you’re not really familiar with the story. The plot is intricate with numerous twists and turns. Although Dumas spends time developing characters, it feels like the story never slows down.

Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and D’Artagnan possessed more honor and morality than I had expected after seeing their depictions on the silver screen. There are several characters that never made it to the film versions, including the Musketeers’ servants. The four servants play critical roles in the success of the Musketeers. I recommend this recent edition with its highly readable translation.

[stuart10er_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

2006 translation done in a more modern style. Still a wonderful book. Some of the scenes seemed to flow easier since the translator didn't have to dance around the sex parts. It is a great work of plot and dialogue. One of my all time favorite novels.

[takeitorleaveit_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

a classic. I was always a fan of d'Artagnan and French historical fiction. maybe that's why I dig french culture so much. they're so playful!

[datrappert · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Some classic novels are hard to slog through. This is an adventure tale that more than lives up to its billing. Although it is a long book, the author doesn't waste a lot of time with long passages where nothing is happening. This is a real page turner, with incredible heroes, and really despicable villains.

[ma_washigeri · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Glad I re-read it in the original translation of 1946. There were lots of words I had to look up. I enjoyed the pace of the writing - the musketeers, and others, tearing around, always in a hurry, whether to find their next meal, or chasing a villain - and the short chapters complimented that perfectly. As a teenager I mostly missed the casual violence - enjoying the daring-do and romance - but I've certainly had to revise my opinions of what was my top favourite character Athos, I can't condone his treatment of his young wife no matter how wicked the lady becomes later. And I appreciate far more both Lady De Winter and the cardinal. Still it is a wonderful romp through Paris, France and London, and a heartfelt celebration of brotherhood and loyalty.

[bluehat1955 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The Three Musketeers' objective is to entertain; this novel is solid adventure, from first to final page. I expected a more riveting plot, however, and I also hoped for the demonstration of themes worthy of a master author such as Dumas. But it is a book that presents problems that are invariably solved by swordplay. The theme of camaraderie is, of course, ubiquitous, as is the theme of youthful love that continuously vascillates. Quick to read and somewhat amusing. But you won't be exposed to any enduring questions to ponder.

[krizia_lazaro_3 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

After re-reading it (read it back when I was in grade 4 for a book report), I decided to give it 2 stars. I did not like any of the characters maybe except for Lady De Winter (who is smart, beautiful and evil villaneiss). The musketeers are arrogant, rowdy and unprofessional for my taste.

[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!

[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."

[trgllylibrarian · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Now that I have finally read this book, I think I understand France a bit better.