by Lou Deere

Created on: June 02, 2008

Alexandre Dumas' novel The Three Musketeers combines a complex and fast-paced plot with an exciting style of writing to create a fascinating and entertaining story. The Three Musketeers is a wonderful example of nineteenth-century literature, which deals in great levels of adventure and twisting intrigues. Dealing with one of the most exciting times in European history, the novel's complex plot, well-developed characters, intricate relationships, and meaningful theme ensure a moving story and captivating atmosphere. The theme is evident at the early stages of the novel, but becomes more, and more rooted in the characters lives, and develops substantially throughout the story. The early stages of the novel provide evidence for the reader to make legitimate predictions, which, by the conclusion, often prove to be quite accurate. However, several plot twists change certain scenarios. Throughout the tale many of the characters, particularly the musketeers, make great steps towards personal growth. One of the most influential elements in the story is how power and economics affect the actions, and interactions of the characters and their groups. All of these aspects contribute to the overall atmosphere and intent of The Three Musketeers.

On holiday in Turkey a couple of years ago I took this book with me, and became an object of scorn to teenage nieces and nephews, as if I'd slipped into premature senility: What are you doing reading that it's a kid's book!' My reputation as the intellectual heavyweight of the family was shattered at a stroke. They could barely conceal their shock and disgust, and openly sneered at me over their Schopenhauers and Heideggers (yes, they're Germans, so what can you expect).

But this was grossly unfair. You can't be clever all the time, and the brain needs its holidays as much as the body does. It's not as if I'd sunk to Geoffrey Archer Dumas's novel is a great classic, much derided by those who know it only through films and comics. It's like knocking Ivanhoe after watching Roger Moore's 50s TV series. It's one of those unfortunate classics that everyone thinks they've read because it has embedded itself in the collective consciousness.athos grows in the 3 musketeers Alexander Dumas growth of character growth of a character

I first read it in my teens, and was hooked from page one. It is the only real page turner' that I've ever read. The rest have all turned out to be impostors. My recent holiday reading of it obviously lost something with the loss of my own innocence: a part of me stayed aloof throughout. But it was still a bloody good read, and I make no apologies to the snobs who wanted me to disown it.

The characters are unforgettable: the Musketeers themselves, Athos, Porthos and Aramis, with their companion the dashing D'Artagnon, are models of honour; Cardinal Richelieu is a scheming politician who you wouldn't want to cross; Lady de Winter is a selfish machine, as inexorable as an Exocet missile in homing in on her target; her henchman, the one-eyed Rochefort, makes a splendid villain.

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