The Three Musketeers

By: Alexandre Dumas

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 22 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

This historical romance, perhaps the greatest cloak-and-sword story ever written, relates the adventures of four fictional swashbuckling heroes who loyally served the French kings Louis XIII and Louis XIV.

When the dashing young D'Artagnon arrives in Paris from Gascony, he becomes embroiled in three duels with the Three Musketeers: Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. But when he proves himself by fighting not against, but with, the Three Musketeers, they form a quick and lasting friendship. The daring escapades of the four pit them against a master of intrigue, Cardinal Richelieu, and the quintessential wicked woman, Lady de Winter.

(P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"His plots are...rich in characters and adventures." ( Biographical Dictionary of Literary Influences)

Awesome!

I am still listening to this book, but it is absolutely awesome! I have already read The Count of Monte Cristo, and have tried to pickup this book a few times but never found time to finish reading it. Audiobook is the way to go, and Simon Vance does a great job with this reading. The main characters are all distinctly different and entertaining.

Great Listen/Read!

Never a full moment

An interesting and thrilling story paired with a most enjoyable performance! I loved every minute!

Great story

This is the second time I've listened to this book. The intricate storyline is captivating. The narrator does an excellent job communicating each character with his voice inflections. If you like old books with lots of adventure and intrigue listen to this one.

Great story!

I understand now why this is a classic. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The narration is excellent.

Adventures Abound!

What made the experience of listening to The Three Musketeers the most enjoyable?

This book has everything. It has action and adventure; it has intrigue; it has politics and religion; it has romance; it has daring deeds and escapes; and it has a band of friends out to fight for their king and there each other, no matter what. It had been over a year since I'd read this book before listening to this version narrated by Vance. I think this book gets too little attention, and many people are only familiar with one of the many film adaptations - which, while Disney's version starring Keifer Sutherland, Oliver Platt, Charlie Sheen, Christ O'Donnel, and Tim Curry (one of the most fantastic casts ever assembled) holds a special place in my heart, no version I have ever seen on screen does justice to this story. There is simply too much content to pack into a feature. (I do, however, think it'd make a great mini-series.) There are so many simultaneous plots to track, and the intrigues develop with manifold layers that it can only come across as Dumas wrote it. In fact, I don't think the siege at La Rochelle, or the secret mission to deliver the message to the Duke of Buckingham were even touched on in any film versions I have seen. With every new adventure, there is a new thread woven into the grander scheme, and every new secret and character is a double edged sword. The depth of the characters is so much greater in this too, you get to see more of their private lives, their troubles and tribulations. Their man-servants actually play a larger role sometimes that I expect (partly due to expectations after the Disney film - which doesn't include them at all!).

It is a fantastic unfolding of adventure after adventure. I think it is better in audio form, as in print it can sometimes become a little dense (partly due to Dumas' narrative style, but sometimes also because of natural lulls between action scenes). After the long and thorough build-up, I had forgotten how suddenly and tragically/violently the climax arose and transitions to a solemn, calm denouement. Such a great adventure/romance/intrigue story though.

Vance was magnificent, lending distinct voices to all manner of characters, male and female, of many classes, and a few different nationalities. I always enjoy his narrations.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Three Musketeers?

Oh, there are so many good ones! I think the sequence introducing D'Artagnon to the Musketeers and their proceeding duels is one of the best. But so many other moments are vivid and memorable, from Milady's escape from her tower prison, the ambush in D'Artagnon's landlord's apartment, the journey to the Duke and back, meeting with the cardinal...

Which character – as performed by Simon Vance – was your favorite?

Oh, they were all brilliant, but I think Athos and Cardinal Richelieu were particularly well done.

More than the movie could hold

Simon Vance reads this book beautifully, he brings Dumas's work to life in a why that allows the listener to travel back in time. Although my first encounter of this tale, although abrevated was on screen with the likes of Oliver Platt, Kiefer Sutherland, Charlie Sheen, Chris O'donnell and Tim Curry, there is nothing that can compare with the shear volume of story that is contained in this book. The ending was not what I would have asked for but it is as it should be. Dumas is an author who has endured for centuries and is worth reading or in this case listening to. Also I highly recommend Simon Vance as a narrator, he had done a lot of book in a variety of genres.

One of the most amazing stories I have read

This is a long book, but the adventures of the Musketeers was fantastic. Alexander Dumas was a great writer as the books reads like a play. Lots of dialogue and character interaction. The narrator was excellent, more British then French, but he made the characters come alive. It you like Charles Dickens as I do then you will certainly like this book

Swashbuckling adventure!

I love this book, the humor and the flowery language of the time too. I don't know how narrator change voices so fluidly, just a fun listen.

my favorite book for 30 years

The Three Musketeers is the best book ever written and the best narration of it!

Evil Vanguished...Good Read!

The Three Musketeers are the embodiment of my true hero Don Quixote of La Mancha.