Review of "Classics Illustrated: The Three Musketeers," by Alexandre Dumas

Review of

Classics Illustrated: The Three Musketeers, by Alexandre Dumas


Five out of five stars

 This book was the first numbered item in the series of classic works of literature adapted to comic form.  Since the subject is a classic and generally lengthy, the comic version is by necessity abridged, with the potential for some loss of significant content. In this case, the essence of the story is preserved.

 Like many classic works of literature, some knowledge of the historical context is helpful in understanding the backdrop. It is set in the time of Cardinal Richelieu, or the first half of the seventeenth century. It was a time of almost constant war for the French nation, and this story reflects the conflict, with the heroes eagerly joining in the fight.

 It is interesting that the term “musketeer” is used to refer to a soldier that packs a musket, yet the heroes of this work are generally depicted as fighting with swords. “The Three Musketeers” is a book that nearly everyone has heard of, but only a small percentage has read. Hopefully, the publication of this comic served to generate sufficient interest so that several readers went on to read the book.

 I have long been of the opinion that anything that advances the process of education should be encouraged and never ridiculed. The publication and reading of educational comics like this is therefore something to be encouraged.