Alexandre Dumas is most known for "The Three Musketeers" and "The Count of Monte Cristobal" in particular; however, by his death at age 68, he authored more than 1.200 works. Even after 200 years after its initial publication, Dumas's works are still recognisable and ever so delightful to read. After all, he created one of the most memorable quotes ever: "All for one and one for all.".

“The three Musketeers” is arranged in three sections. The story begins in 1625 in a small French town. D'Artagnan, a fiery-tempered and intelligent young man, has left his home town to seek his fortune in Paris while caring a letter of instruction to the leader of the king's Musketeers, Athos, the oldest of the musketeers and most accomplished, Porthos, a loyal Friedan and fierce fighter, and Aramis, a great warrior and an accomplished lady's man however he swears he will give it all up for the priesthood. Throughout the novel, Religion is treaded somewhat mockingly, especially in context with Aramis' personality.

The novel focuses on two political factions in France: one headed by the king and the cardinal. The musketeers serve their captain, Monsieur de Treville, a perfect gentleman and courtier to King Louis XIII. Dumas depicts Louis as a weak and unintelligent ruler. While Cardinal Richelieu's character is the exact opposite: he is intelligent and forceful, a penetrating judge of character. The power of the government rests with him, and he possesses a vision of France's role and destiny. He commands both the respect and the hatred of the musketeers. Although not an evil man, Richelieu accomplishes his aims and rules efficiently by employing methods not quite in keeping with his position as a Catholic church cardinal. The musketeers' mortal enemies are two of the cardinal's favourite servants and spies: the Count de Rochefort and Milady de Winter.

Rochefort appears sporadically throughout the novel, but the truly evil person is Milady, who uses her beauty as a tool to seduce and destroy men and women. From the first moment D'Artagnan sees her at the beginning of the novel, she fascinates him, and his fate becomes inextricably bound to hers.

Milady's deeds become progressively more ruthless; for example, She steals the diamond studs from the Duke of Buckingham, forcing the musketeers to journey to England to save the queen's reputation. She is responsible for the abduction of Constance Bonacieux, d'Artagnan's mistress. She is revealed as Athos's former wife, who ruined him when he discovered that she had been branded as a thief. She tries twice to murder d'Artagnan, and she seduces a young man and persuades him to assassinate the Duke of Buckingham. As her final crime, she poisons Constance Bonacieux. Although her trial by the musketeers and subsequent execution pose serious Questions about the musketeers' ethical conduct, there is no doubt that she deserves her ultimate fate.

The Characters and actions of the musketeers express the overall Themes of the book:
The idealism of youth
The growth of maturity
The importance of loyalty and friendship
The need for bravery in the struggle of good against evil

This struggle is summed up in contrast between the two rivals for d'Artagnan's affections: the ruthless Milady and the good Constance Bonacieux.

Overall, this book is a well-writing story about the importance of friendship, and that at last, good always wins. I enjoyed reading "The Three Musketeers", however sometimes the book seemed a bit dry, and sometimes the descriptions tend to be too detailed. However, the witty take on Religion and some of the characters' comebacks are cancelling that out. I do not think this classic will be for everyone, but if you ever decide to read it, I doubt that you will be disappointed.

TW: Cheating, Classism, Grief, Hanging, Murder, Rape, Religious Persecution, Sexual Assault, Starvation, Suicide Threats