The Three Musketeers

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Description

The novels fast-moving story is set in the royal court of Louis XIII, where the swaggering Kings musketeers square off against their rivals: the crimson-clad guards of the dreaded Cardinal Richelieu. The Red Duke rules France with an iron hand in the name of King Louisand of Queen Anne, who dares a secret love affair with Frances enemy, Englands Duke of Buckingham. Into this royal intrigue leaps the brash dArtagnan, a young swordsman from the provinces determined to find fame and fortune in Paris. Bold and clever, in no time the youth finds himself up to his Gascon neck in adventure, while earning the enduring friendship of the greatest comrades in literature, the Three Musketeers: noble Athos, sly Aramis, and the giant, good-hearted Porthos. Now from Lawrence Ellsworth, acclaimed translator of The Red Sphinx, comes a new rendition of The Three Musketeers for a new century, one that captures anew the excitement, humor, and spirit of Alexandre Dumass greatest novel of historical adventure. Whether youre meeting the musketeers for the first time or discovering them all over again, its all for one, one for all, in this timeless tale of honor and glory, the flash of dark eyes, and the clash of bright steel.

Reviews

"The classic French epic in a new translation by Lawrence Ellsworth brings freshness to the story of d'Artagnan and his pals." * The New York Times Book Review *
"When Dumas wroteThe Three Musketeersin 1844 he upped Shakespeares ante. The authors mold-breaking use of short paragraphs and abundant dialogue provided a template for the modern page-turner. Though Dumas was accused of playing fast and loose with history, he actually brought it thrillingly alive. A rip-snorting new translation ofThe Three Musketeersby the American Lawrence Ellsworth captures all the excitement and flair of Dumass great historical adventure that spawned several sequels and numerous films, TV series and cartoons. Ellsworth does a wonderful job of communicating the energy, humor and warmth of Dumass work. Ellsworths snappier approach, which included putting back all the racier scenes elided from the Victorian translations, suits Dumas much better. It also helps to put an end to the lie, persistent in the English-speaking world, that Dumass brand of popular fiction does not deserve the same attention as more serious works." * The Wall Street Journal *
"Lawrence Ellsworth provides a vibrant, modern-day English translation of the classic high adventure. Ellsworths rendition is addictively readable in this lengthy but fast-paced novel. He masterfully captures Dumass distinctive voice and humor. Highly recommended for readers of literary classics who have not yet read or would like to reacquaint themselves with the tale." * Historical Novels Review *
"The test of a translator is his capacity to capture this characteristic interplay of the heroic and the ribald; the sincere and the ironic; the vanished past and the approaching present. And at this task Ellsworth succeeds, giving us aThree Musketeerswith more clarity, energy, and simplicity than any previous English edition." * Open Letters Review *
"As far as I can tell, Lawrence Ellsworth is responsible for one of the biggest literary projects happening right now in the English language. Ellsworth is working on a massive and daunting scale. Hes translating the entirety of Alexandre Dumass stories ofThe Three Musketeers (1844), all 1.5 million words of it. The third volume,Twenty Years After, appeared late last year.In Ellsworths hands, these stories of swashbuckling and all-for-one-and-one-for-all friendship feel new again.The Three Musketeers is an enormously entertaining tale for the ages." * The Brooklyn Rail *
"Newly translated, a sequel toThe Three Musketeersis as fresh as ever. In Lawrence Ellsworths excellent, compulsively readable translation,The Red Sphinxis just the book to see you through the January doldrums. And maybe those of February, too." -- Michael Dirda, The Washington Post [praise for 'The Red Sphinx']
"The Red Sphinxsparkles and shines in a new translation. Races along with pointed humor and broad quips. Fun permeates this big book. The rest of 2017's fiction will have to look sharp: An old master has just set the bar very, very high." * Christian Science Monitor [praise for 'The Red Sphinx'] *
"A royal treat for fans of historical fiction. I am confident that librarians and English literature teachers around the world are leaping for joy at the publication ofThe Red Sphinx, and I join them in this excitement." * Bookreporter [praise for 'The Red Sphinx'] *
"Fans ofThe Three Musketeerscan rejoice in the 800-page English translation of this largely forgotten sequel." * Newsday [praise for 'The Red Sphinx'] *
"Dumass trademark gifts at crafting engaging historical romances are amply in evidence in this lengthy yet fast-paced volume. Ellsworths translation captures a complete narrative. A very entertaining epic." * Publishers Weekly (starred) [praise for 'The Red Sphinx'] *
"The Red Sphinxis wonderful. Theres plot and counter-plot, duels, passion, murder, romance, disguises, poets and assassins. Readable and compelling." * Historical Novels Review [praise for 'The Red Sphinx'] *
"There is swash and buckle aplenty, and even plumage if thats what does it for you. And it is great fun." * The Spectator [praise for 'The Red Sphinx'] *

Author Bio

One of the most famous French writers of the nineteenth century,Alexandre Dumas(18021870) first achieved success in the literary world a playwright, before turning his hand to writing novels. In two years from 1844 to 1845, he published two enormous books,The Count of Monte CristoandThe Three Musketeers. Both novels have sold millions of copies worldwide.