黑料福利社

Sometimes I don't necessarily agree that books labeled as classics actually are must-reads, but the danger-filled novel "The Three Musketeers" by Alexandre Dumas definitely deserves glory.

I've read an abridged version of this book before. Recently, in my Honors English class, I had the opportunity to pick any "higher level reading" from the list of books that the teacher had approved. I decided I should explore some of Dumas' writing again, because I've really enjoyed some of his other books (including "The Count of Monte Cristo," which is one of my all-time favorite books). Selecting "The Three Musketeers" was a choice that did not disappoint.

"The Three Musketeers," which was originally published in serialized form in 1844, takes place in mid-17th century France. This historical fiction novel really takes you back in time, as it should. In this book, we gain a perspective of an era where honor and love were worth more than life itself.

The book starts off by introducing readers to d'Artagnan, a hot-blooded young man from the French province of Gascony. He is aiming to become a member of the musketeers, who were the king's guards and were all known for their prowess with the sword and their bravery.

Shortly after our protagonist is informed on how to become a musketeer, he finds himself challenged to individual duels with Athos, Porthos and Aramis, three well-respected musketeers. After a turn of events, they end up as friends. Throughout the course of the novel, they help each other numerous times, coming to the defensive aid of each other and the king.

One thing I enjoy about this novel is that it is filled with dialogue. There's actually a reason for that dialogue! "The Three Musketeers" first saw print in a newspaper, coming out periodically for a few months. For Dumas to keep his job, his submissions had to be interesting, and the periodical required each story installment to meet a minimum number of required lines of text. The easiest way for him to do this was by writing lots of dialogue. Dumas' extensive dialogue keeps me easily engaged in the book because I'm not trying to analyze pages and pages of description.

Another thing I love about this book is the display of archetypes, and the main people in the book provide clear and interesting, different character types. For example, the main character of d'Artagnan has many strengths, but he has a weakness for defending the women he swears his love to, and this gets him in lots of trouble.

Enter Milady de Winter, a beautiful wicked temptress who is involved in a plot to assassinate the Duke of Buckingham and uses her beauty to make men fall in love with her. Once men have fallen for her spell, she can convince them of anything, from releasing her from prison, to making them murder her enemies for her. She is the main antagonist in the story. (If you'd like to find out if justice is served, I encourage you to read the book.)

The use of foreshadowing and irony in this novel will keep you intrigued through every chapter. "The Three Musketeers" really is one book you should read before you die, but you might as well get a head start today!

鈥� Erica Linde is a freshman at Sunnyside High School and a member of the 黑料福利社's Unleashed program for teen journalists.