Review: The Three Musketeers Collectors Library

The Three Musketeers Collectors Library by Alexandre Dumas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh, my heart! I have so much love for this book!

This is my third read, and a third translation. It was an interesting experience because there were quite a few details that I'd so thoroughly forgotten that I was convinced they'd been omitted from the previous versions I'd read. (I double-checked - they hadn't been.)

I think I've absorbed more details each time and I must confess, despite my unconditional love for these musketeers, they do a lot of douchey stuff. A lot has to do with the times: for example, Athos says some pretty harsh stuff about women, and there's a lot of stuff about mistresses and whipping lackeys that would be completely unacceptable in this day and age. Plus the whole idea of people dueling with the intention to actually kill one another over stupid sh*t is crazy. But despite the non-PC stuff, I love them still. They are so brave and noble and adventurous, and d'Artagnan cracks me up a lot. Athos has some great quotable lines. Porthos is completely underrated and Aramis is the sly fox with lots of secrets. They're such a dynamic group but their unshakable friendship is so iconic and such a massive draw of the book. I love the way they come together, rely on one another, know each other's strengths and weaknesses, and tell things straight up.

It's set in France, so there are a lot of places named which can get a bit confusing, but knowing the places isn't crucial to the plot. There's also a fair bit about politics and religion, but even if that stuff goes over your head you're still left with a cracking story. This is an adventure tale, about one brave musketeer and his three best friends, and the mishaps they get into.

Milady is such a magnificent villain, and never is that clearer than through the episode with Felton. Actually makes my skin crawl. Even though I already know the story, I was still hanging on the suspense. This book and its words are timeless. To me, Milady is one of the greatest villains ever written, particularly because she's badass but she also faints and rages and has typical emotional female behaviour. She's so believable it's scary. Ah, d'Artagnan, WHY did you have to piss her off?!

I also love that the cardinal, painted in such evil strokes, is still really wise and thoughtful, and not necessarily baring any evil will towards the musketeers, even if his actions oppose theirs.

This book got me absolutely fascinated with French history of this period, so much so that I've only just returned from a trip to that beautiful country. This book has given so much joy to my life - I look upon these characters as friends, and I am always so invested whenever I'm reading about their adventures. It also inspires me to be brave and adventurous, and to go after the things I want wholeheartedly. This work of fiction has become very real to me, and I feel like a better person for it.

That's like the definition of 'book nerd' right there, friends.

Of course I recommend this book. Particularly because it's a classic with a really great story. Just understand that it IS a classic, and written in a period where things were done very differently. Otherwise you'll probably get a bit offended.

As for me, well ...

I WILL NEVER STOP LOVING THIS BOOK.

NOTE: Please don't judge this book by its movies! The characters in this novel are so much more in depth, and none of the visual incarnations I've seen have come close to doing it justice. The closest would be the recent BBC Musketeers series, but even in that Athos is not the lord he is in the book. READ THE BOOK PLEASE!

Original Review (second read):

I have read a lot of books and this, THIS is the one that is held in higher esteem than any other on my shelves. This, ladies and gentlemen, is my absolute favourite book of all time.
After discovering the hidden gold that was The Son of Porthos, this required a re-read. I am so attached to these characters, and The Three Musketeers is where I first fell in love. The musketeers themselves are gallant gentlemen who value loyalty, honour, strength and bravery and are always willing to fight for what is right. They carry qualities which are sorely scarce in today's world and despite their being fiction I find them incredibly inspirational. Everything about them appeals to the romantic ideals that give me aspirations to heroism and motivate me to, quite simply, become a better person. Such is the profound impact Dumas's creations have on me. However the supporting cast are equally strong and thus entertaining, and much of the novel's focus is on the seductive anti-hero: Milady. Much of the second half of the novel is devoted to her exploits alone, but the story is in no way lessened for the diversion because it helps us to understand how this woman has come to have such influence in the lives of two of our musketeer heroes.
I could discuss these characters all day; they are masterfully created to have strengths but also flaws, and those taken from history are a painting of colourful fiction amidst fact. I've learned more about French history through reading these novels than I ever realised I wanted to know. That is one of the novel's great strengths - it doesn't let factual history alter the story, but rather paints the story around history so as to add a richness of detail to its characters and events.
The story itself moves at a fast pace and through varied adventures. There's a reason it's been repeatedly incarnated in film - and now even a TV series -: it's action-packed. Dumas crafts his words well so that we are rarely bogged down by tedious descriptions typical of writing from that era and that in itself endears his work to me. There is never a dull moment.
This novel has everything: action, adventure, romance, suspense and a cast of characters unlike any other. For me, these (four) musketeers will always be my heroes, and this novel that introduced them to me will continue to hold a special place in my heart.

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