It’s been over fourteen months since we first began our journey with D’Artagnan and the rest of his musketeer friends, and today we reach the end of their story. Even though I finished my first reading of the series just three years ago, I still enjoyed reading it again, especially getting to revisit such interesting and noble characters. One of the things I appreciate most about the them is how they stayed true to their friendship even when they were on opposite sides politically.

Looking back over my experience with these books, D’Artagnan remains one of my favorite characters in all of literature. Watching him grown from an immature hothead into a leader of men was enjoyable and satisfying, and the final chapter of the last book still gets to me. This second reading of the series has given me a greater appreciation of Athos, Raoul, and Porthos, but Aramis has gone down slightly in my estimation, especially after the events of the The Man in the Iron Mask. My least favorite section of the series was definitely the volume entitled Louise de la Vallière — or really any section where the musketeers were not featured. I had little patience for hearing about the romantic escapades of the French court, and the rivalry between Colbert and Foquet began to get tedious. But I was surprised by how much I enjoyed re-reading Twenty Years After, and it almost matches The Three Musketeers as my favorite of the series. While Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo is probably the better overall book in terms of plot, setting, and depth of meaning, in terms of characters I think I like those in the D’Artagnan series more. At least, I would love the chance to sit down to dinner with D’Artagnan, Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and Raoul.

Thanks to everyone who participated in this longer-than-usual read-along. I hope you found the books enjoyable, and I invite you to participate in the George Eliot Chapter-a-day Read-along that starts tomorrow!