Complicated Story Line

The Three Musketeers, like other romances originally published in serial form, does not have the type of plot structure that modern readers recognize and approve of. There is no slow development of events, no building to a major climax. Instead, the action starts explosively and then simply continues, with new threads of action being woven in as the novel moves along. At some points, readers may feel that the book isn't getting anywhere but soon forget this as they become caught up in the action again. Although the chapters often end on "cliffhanger" notes, the plot is so complicated, with so many characters and events, that the overall story line of the book is difficult to sum up or describe.

Vivid Characters

Dumas's characters are vividly drawn and easily recognizable: d'Artagnan, with his youthful optimism, country-bumpkin naivete, and belief in his own self-worth; Athos, who is...