Successful Short version

This abridged version (5th level, classified in the adventure novel) "Three Musketeers" is a great success even though it does not replace the full version with all its earthy details, especially at the end when the Musketeers bring 12 studs to the queen with their share of obstacles and successes that make throb lecteur.De more, the character of Milady well developed in the full version is very present here. Yet it is of crucial importance in the shenanigans of Richelieu. Louis XIII also regret that there are two heads to royalty (he and Cardinal). The whole book is about this power struggle and the courage of those who serve the King and Queen: the Musketeers.

The main plot, despite a choice in the original text of Alexandre Dumas, is well done. We follow the path without difficulté.Les portraits of leading figures such as Buckingham, Anne of Austria, Cardinal Richelieu and Louis XIII are beautifully written and make me think of the magnificence of those in "The Princess of Cleves" of Madame de Lafayette. This book of the seventeenth century would he inspired A.Dumas?

The Duke of Buckingham is presented in the nobility of his character: "The Duke of Buckingham did not experience an instant of fear one of the salient points of his character was the search of adventure and a love of romance." It seems that many of Dumas wars were decided by love and not by political strategy.

The book is beautifully made, including 361 pages of text, or half as much as the full version. It offers a brief biography of the author on the inside back cover and a detailed biography at the end of the book. However, no preface, but a set of notes (bottom of page) rather well done for unfamiliar terms (explanation of what are the Huguenots, muskets, halberds ...). The notes provide information about the history of France and England and can track incidents without difficulty.

I find the book very well, which is not the case for all abridged editions (eg that of "Les Miserables" by Victor Hugo, leisure school). It does not, however, replace the full version for the lovers of Dumas and of the classic that remains a masterpiece. For me, the quality of this book lies in the accuracy of human portraits and success of the plot paced, connected with the history of France. However, I have not studied the differences that existed between the share of fiction and the truth.