In this novel, the arch-villainess of the Three Musketeers, Milady de
Winter, tells her own story. She began as a simple country girl,
Clarice, and rose to the highest courts in Europe. Much of the novel
is devoted to her early life giving the background that made her the
woman she became. Once she meets the Musketeers, the story takes some
liberties with the original Dumas book. It’s good to be familiar
with the story before reading this novel.
The story is clearly
told from a feminist perspective. Milady is seen as a clever, strong
woman, who uses her beauty and brains to accomplish her ends. The
novel is filled romance, murder, betrayal, spying, and palace
intrigue. It is not a romance novel, although there is sex and
romance. The novel is a historical adventure with plenty of action.
I enjoyed the book,
but was rather disappointed by the amount of license the author used
in presenting the characters of the Three Musketeers. In Dumas book,
they are not particularly nice people. They were representative of
the fighting men of the era. In this book they become much more
villainous to highlight Milady’s virtue in intriguing against them.
I recommend reading
the book as an historical adventure. The historical figures, like the
King and Cardinal, are reasonably accurate. However, don’t try to
tie the book too closely to the original Dumas work. They are told
from different points of view and understandably each side presents
itself in the best light.
I received this book
from First to Read for this review.
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