(The d'Artagnan Romances)
625 pages / 23 hrs
"This swashbuckling epic of chivalry, honor, and derring-do, set in France during the 1620s, is richly populated with romantic heroes, unattainable heroines, kings, queens, cavaliers, and criminals in a whirl of adventure, espionage, conspiracy, murder, vengeance, love, scandal, and suspense. Dumas transforms minor historical figures into larger-than-life characters: the Comte D'Artagnan, an impetuous young man in pursuit of glory; the beguilingly evil seductress "Milady"; the powerful and devious Cardinal Richelieu; the weak King Louis XIII and his unhappy queen--and, of course, the three musketeers themselves, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, whose motto "all for one, one for all" has come to epitomize devoted friendship. With a plot that delivers stolen diamonds, masked balls, purloined letters, and, of course, great bouts of swordplay, The Three Musketeers is eternally entertaining." --from the publisher
Of course the story is well written and full of drama, but based on what I'd heard about the musketeers I expected them to be admirable, heroic characters. In this I was disappointed. They are masters of swordplay and very cunning, but are rather selfish and have questionable morals. I gave it 3 out of 5 stars. I know my opinion is influenced by my preconceived ideas.
