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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
I must preface this review with the admission that I read a children’s abridged version from 1968 as it was the copy I had, so there were many parts where I felt the story was rushed. I know Dumas is known to be wordy so it’s probable that a more complete translation would be better paced.
Thoroughly amused by d’Artagnan arriving in Paris, sleeping until 9am, and then within three hours angering all three Inseparables who challenged him to duel at 12, 1 and 2pm. This book is rife with swordplay, shooting and intrigue. I found it slightly harder going than Treasure Island but still easy to follow. I would like to read an unabridged version because I came away from this feeling that I had definitely missed several somethings, but I’m not sure that I would read any more of the d’Artagnan Romances after (and I have very firmly been scared off The Count of Monte Cristo by a friend’s mum and her book club).
My first 5-star of the year! The bread-and-butter of a group her read. A type for every sort of lover (Aramis girlie here!) I have read this book many times and I love it every time.
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
tense
"And now," said Athos, picking up his cloak and putting his hat back on his head, "now that I have drawn your teeth, viper, bite if you can."
This is one of the tightest, most fun books I've ever read.
As a longtime lover of Princess Bride, I knew that story owed, of course, much to Dumas' masterwork. But I had no idea Musketeers was this snappy, easy to read, and light-hearted (though not without some truly dark segments). It's somehow even more modern than the modern works inspired by it.
This is a really rollicking adventure, fast-paced and dripping with intrigue, suspense, betrayal, and cunning. It's laugh-out-loud funny, and the characters and their interwoven relationships are delightful. The dramatic irony throughout is just delicious.
And all of that for a translation, which is absolutely impeccable.
There are some times when it feels a little uncomfortably obvious that Dumas is padding for time and extending scenes well beyond the necessary plot development (he was paid per line, not per word), and once you're aware of it you start seeing it more and more as the book goes on, which was unfortunate.
If you love the titular three, be prepared to see very little of them in the latter half of the novel, particularly in an extended episode which, for all its intrigue, felt bizarre and disjointed.
The ending, even though the actual conclusion is achingly atmospheric, does feel (to my modern perspective) like a lot is left unresolved. It's not disappointing, just unsatisfying, and more than a little depressing.
Either way... best book I've read all year.
This is one of the tightest, most fun books I've ever read.
As a longtime lover of Princess Bride, I knew that story owed, of course, much to Dumas' masterwork. But I had no idea Musketeers was this snappy, easy to read, and light-hearted (though not without some truly dark segments). It's somehow even more modern than the modern works inspired by it.
This is a really rollicking adventure, fast-paced and dripping with intrigue, suspense, betrayal, and cunning. It's laugh-out-loud funny, and the characters and their interwoven relationships are delightful. The dramatic irony throughout is just delicious.
And all of that for a translation, which is absolutely impeccable.
There are some times when it feels a little uncomfortably obvious that Dumas is padding for time and extending scenes well beyond the necessary plot development (he was paid per line, not per word), and once you're aware of it you start seeing it more and more as the book goes on, which was unfortunate.
If you love the titular three, be prepared to see very little of them in the latter half of the novel, particularly in an extended episode which, for all its intrigue, felt bizarre and disjointed.
The ending, even though the actual conclusion is achingly atmospheric, does feel (to my modern perspective) like a lot is left unresolved. It's not disappointing, just unsatisfying, and more than a little depressing.
Either way... best book I've read all year.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes