Description

"The Three Musketeers" (French: "Les Trois Mousquetaires," is a French historical adventure novel penned in 1844 by the esteemed French author Alexandre Dumas. Similar to some of his other literary creations, Dumas collaborated with ghostwriter Auguste Maquet in its creation. Falling into the swashbuckler genre, it showcases heroic and chivalrous swordsmen who champion justice.

Set amidst the years 1625 to 1628, the narrative chronicles the exploits of a youth named d'Artagnan, a character inspired by Charles de Batz-Castelmore d'Artagnan. Departing from his home to journey to Paris with hopes of joining the Musketeers of the Guard, d'Artagnan finds himself initially unable to secure a position within this esteemed corps. Nonetheless, he befriends three of the era's most formidable musketeers – Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, commonly referred to as "the three musketeers" or "the three inseparables" – and becomes embroiled in political and courtly affairs.

Although primarily categorized as a historical adventure novel, "The Three Musketeers" also serves as a platform through which Dumas frequently exposes various injustices, abuses, and absurdities prevalent during the Ancien Régime. This lends the novel additional political significance, especially given its publication during a period of fervent debate in France between republicans and monarchists. Serialized from March to July 1844 during the July Monarchy, it preceded the French Revolution of 1848, which established the Second Republic by four years.

The saga of d'Artagnan continues in subsequent novels, "Twenty Years After" and "The Vicomte of Bragelonne: Ten Years Later."