The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas

Summary:D'Artagnan arrives in Paris, on a yellow horse, to make his fortune but finds himself caught up in the political intrigue at the court of King Louis XIII.  Foiling attempts by Milady de Winter lands him permanently on her bad side and thwarts the plans of the Cardinal Richelieu.  With the help of his new friends, the Three Musketeers, d'Artagnan is able to navigate these tumultuous times and win his heart's desire - a Lieutenant's Commission with the Musketeers.


Response:The Three Musketeers has always been one of my favorite novels.  I read it for the first time after seeing the Disney Movie, starring Chris O'Donnell, at the age 12.  I remember it being entertaining and immediately declaring it my favorite.  Though, looking back now, I think this had more to do with the film than the actual book.  Over the years I've reread it several times and find something new each time.  When I read it at 20, I laughed out loud at some parts. At 27, the historical aspect of the stories intrigued me and I realized there was actually witty banter between the friends.  At 33, I'm more interested in views on women and the characterization of Milady de Winter and Constance.  Obviously, this says more about me as the reader than it does about the author or the time period in which it was written.

Based on real life events and  Les mémoires de M. d'Artagnan, by Gatien de Courtilz de Sandras, d'Artagnan is an interesting character, to say the least.  In the first novel of the d'Artagnan Romances, by Dumas, he's portrayed as headstrong and, at times, impulsive but also very clever in his dealings with the royal court.  There are events in the novel which make me think d'Artagnan is simply an asshole and yet we see how loyal he is to his friends.  He's an imperfect character much in the same way that we are imperfect people and I love this about the novel.

An event, that I think will be revisited in the next novel of the series, Twenty Years After, will be the advantage taken with Milady de Winter.  While searching for his lady love, d'Artagnan becomes enamored of  Milady de Winter.  When he learns that she is actually in love with the Comte des Wardes, and is merely stringing him along at Richelieu's orders, d'Artagnan disguises himself as des Wardes and sleeps with Milady.  It's in this manner that he learns Milady's true identity and her terrible secret.   Even though *Spoiler Alert* Milady is executed at the end of the novel, d'Artagnan will have to face consequences for this action, possibly at the hands of des Wardes.