Last week, I reviewed Alexandre Dumas’s The Three Musketeers (1884). That story has much to do with many in its genre (Romance/Action), and showcases a plot of intrigue and danger. Considering we have been examining a variety of different books in a similar vein, the expansion into Dumas’s sequel with further expand our knowledge of the subject and the genre. In this post, I am going to review Twenty Years After by Alexandre Dumas (the second novel in the series), and we will see just what the musketeers have been up to for some time.

Outline

Twenty Years After by Alexandre Dumas is set against the backdrop of historical events, particularly the Fronde, a series of civil wars in 17th-century France. The novel unfolds two decades after the original story; it picks up with the once inseparable musketeers—d’Artagnan, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis—having gone their separate ways. In the novel, historical figures and events come to life, such as Oliver Cromwell, King Louis, and Charles I. The novel also explores the romantic entanglements of the musketeers, intertwining their personal lives with the broader political landscape.

Book Blurb:

From the Wordsworth Classics: “In ‘Twenty Years After’ the much beloved D’Artaganan, Athos, Porthos and Aramis reunite to fight the forces of evil. In the original novel they defeated Milady, a formidable foe; now they need to face her vengeful son Mordaunt, as well as countering the machinations of the sinister Cardinal Mazarin. Their adventures also take them to England, where Cromwell is about to topple Charles I. Meanwhile, they must overcome the obstacles which the passing of time has placed between them. Rediscovering strength in unity, they fight for Queen and country. ‘The Musketeer’ novels were a huge success in Dumas’ own lifetime, and have lost none of their original appeal. Translated into many languages and adapted for cinema and television, they have helped to make Dumas arguably the most successful exporter of French culture to the wider world.”

Critical Reception

On Goodreads, Twenty Years After has 23,523 ratings and 786 reviews. Of the ratings, there were 8,806 five-star ratings, and 138 ratings.

Five-star reviewers stated that the book is a “‘getting the band back together'” story, with “friends in their forties and fifties, still vigorous in decline, constrained by the comforts and commitments of middle age,” which is an excellent descriptor. Additionally, reviewers stated that “It is a far more mature book than The There Musketeers and the character studies are absolutely stupendous.”

Moreover, one-star reviews stated that the characters don’t really seem like themselves in this book outside of their names. Likewise, one-star reviewers stated that the musketeers “spend the duration of this novel lamenting their lost youth and longing for a return to their old life…”

Impressions

Along with the first book, The Three Musketeers, I am always enraptured by these characters, and Twenty Years After by Alexandre Dumas does not disappoint. The Man in the Iron Mask (1998) film reminded me that these characters are engaging in not just in one scenario–but many. With that said, I believe that their characters and friendship must feel exciting as readers return to their continuing adventures, as I certainly was upon opening to the first page.

Works Cited

Dumas, Alexandre. Twenty Years After. Translated by William Robson, George Routledge and Sons, 1846.

If there is one thing that The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy has for readers, it’s a good sense of adventure and intrigue. The characters are constantly assaulted by both spies and threats from other characters, including lies and violence. Other authors tackled these ideas as well. For example, The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas. And, much like Orczy and The Scarlet Pimpernel, there were more than just one story involving these characters. As it turns out, mysterious plots and deceit extend beyond just one historical moment. In this post, I am reviewing The Three Musketeers, which is a book rife in swashbuckling adventure and daring.

Outline

The story is set during the reign of both king Louis XIII and Louis XIV in the 17th and 18th centuries respectively. The story features four prominent characters (musketeers): D’Artagnan, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. In the novel, D’Artagnan and the Three Musketeers becomes fast friends after a fashion. They then battle against the evil cardinal Richelieu and Milady de Witner. The novel is renowned for its swashbuckling action, themes of friendship and loyalty, and the vivid portrayal of 17th-century France. Meanwhile, Dumas weaves a tale of honor, betrayal, and romance that is fitting for the genre. As such, this story has captivated readers for generations, making The Three Musketeers a timeless literary masterpiece.

Book Blurb:

“The novel recounts the adventures of an impecunious 18-year-old Gascon, d’Artagnan, who came to Paris to make a career in the Musketeers’ corps. He became friends with Athos, Porthos and Aramis, musketeers of King Louis XIII. These four men will oppose the Prime Minister, Cardinal Richelieu and his agents, including the Count of Rochefort and the beautiful and mysterious Milady de Winter, to save the honor of the Queen of France Anne of Austria. With its many battles and romantic twists, The Three Musketeers is the typical example of the swashbuckling novel and the success of the novel was such that Dumas adapted it himself for the stage, and took up the four heroes again in the rest of the trilogy.” — Translated

Critical Reception

On Goodreads, The Three Musketeers has 315,567 ratings and 9,075 reviews. Of the ratings, there were 122, 329 five-star ratings, and 3,224 ratings.

Five-star reviewers stated that the characters of the novel are captivating including “Milady de Winter” and the musketeers themselves. Additionally, reviewers stated that it was actually a good book. For example, one reader stated, “There’s even MORE pathos, chivalry, swordplay, hails of bullets, swooning maidens, and truly an evil Cardinal and a nasty Milady to butt heads against.”

Moreover, one-star reviews stated that the book was difficult to following, including both the “dialogue” and what action was transpiring in “the last third of the book.” Additionally, other one-star reviews stated that there really wasn’t much “swashbuckling adventure” as promised. And, reviewers touch on the their perception of the book as a bunch of “misadventures of a handful of low-lifes.”

Conclusion

I have seen many adaptations of The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas in film. I am extremely familiar not with just the musketeers but also with the plot of this particular narrative. While it is a fantastic narrative, I do feel a drag sometimes when I read literature from the Romantic period. I think this is the case because there is often a lot of descriptions and not a lot happening. The subsequent Gothic period suffers from this as well. However, when used well, Gothic fiction slowly builds tension. Nevertheless, with most classic fiction, my motto is to just get in the spirit of the thing and read it with additional context and help from outside sources.