A Brief Guide to Alexandre Dumas, "The Three Musketeers," and "The Count of Monte Cristo"

by Mildred Lewis Rutherford, Alexandre Dumas, André Morize

This Kindle edition, equivalent in length to a physical book of approximately 16 pages, consists of three parts. Part I, a biography of Dumas, was originally published in 1906 in “French Authors: A Handbook of French Literature,” by Mildred Lewis Rutherford. Part II, a highly condensed retelling of "The Three Musketeers,” was originally published in 1920 in “One Hundred Best Novels Condensed, Vol. 4.” Part III, a highly condensed retelling of "The Count of Monte Cristo,” was originally published in 1920 in “One Hundred Best Novels Condensed, Vol. 3.”

Sample passages:
In 1844 his “Monte Cristo” appeared, and excited more universal interest than any romance since “Robinson Crusoe” and “Waverly.” The extraordinary color, the never-flagging spirit, the endless surprises, and the natural air that he casts over the most extravagant situations make a very remarkable book, absorbing in interest but unhealthy in tone, exciting that intense feverish condition that leaves the reader morally upset, and nervously undone. “The Three Musketeers” followed. Both of these books came out chapter by chapter in the newspapers. It was the triumphs achieved from these books that made him reckless in the production of others by collaboration. Maquet, his most valuable assistant, claimed that the greatest part of the credit was due him, but afterwards when he tried his powers alone the charm was lacking.

13 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 12, 2012