I finished reading THE THREE MUSKETEERS by Alexandre Dumas last night. Thick book. A post-worthy accomplishment, I feel.
I liked it a lot. More than imagined I would. I don’t know about earlier English editions. I read the 2018 Lawrence Ellsworth translation. 788 pages or so. The story itself (minus prefaces and appendices) comes in at 760 pages in hardcover with a font none too large. The edition also includes lovely reprinted old illustrations.
Despite
Ellsworth’s warning that the middle might sag, I only felt drag towards
the end where Dumas focuses too long on Milady’s escape from England. Otherwise, the story had me solidly engaged throughout.
4/5 stars. Not too shabby as a book from the 1840s under the eyes of a modern reader.
I'd only read an abridged kid's version before. The 'real thing' is the REAL THING. Lusty, violent and nuanced.
ReplyDeleteThis has always been one of my favorite books. My favorite is the Richard Pevear translation. The language is closer to period. I do have the Ellsworth translation and have been meaning to give it a spin.
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