The Three Musketeers, Version 2


Read by Mark F. Smith

(4.8 stars; 178 reviews)

D’Artagnan, son of a poor Gascon aristocrat, travels to Paris to seek his fortune. His family connections enable him to obtain a position in a Guard regiment. His provincial ingenuousness and his hot-headed sense of honor earn him three duels in as many hours. Thankfully, his preparation with the sword is sufficient to recommend himself to his Musketeer antagonists, and they – Athos, Porthos, and Aramis – become his fast friends.

But fate also crosses D’Artagnan’s path with some dangerous people who become his opponents: a mysterious “man from Meung” and a woman who styles herself Milady, who has formidable seduction skills and a heart that is mean and violent. Fate also inserts D’Artagnan and his Musketeer friends squarely in the middle of a love triangle of heroic proportions – between Anne of Austria (the Queen of France), George Villiers (the Duke of Buckingham, France’s enemy), and the great spymaster, his Eminence the Cardinal Richelieu. Both of these gentlemen can command the armed forces of their respective countries to battle simply for the pleasure of beating the other. And the Musketeers must serve and risk life and limb at the siege of La Rochelle, a place where the Duke and the Cardinal have chosen to match wills.

In this age it was common for young cavaliers to live off the gifts of rich mistresses, and the four friends are certainly, it seems, bereft otherwise, although all are respectably employed as guardsmen to the King himself. Their love connections weave a further web about them which often seems to sidetrack their duty to King and country.

It takes all the efforts of the four to fend off the lethal consequences of mixing in the affairs of their betters and the slings and arrows (not to mention the musket and cannon balls!) of their outrageous fortunes. (Mark F. Smith) (26 hr 40 min)

Chapters

Author's Preface 5:39 Read by Mark F. Smith
The Three Presents of D'Artagnan the Elder 38:45 Read by Mark F. Smith
The Antechamber of M. de Treville 27:42 Read by Mark F. Smith
The Audience 29:55 Read by Mark F. Smith
The Shoulder, The Baldric, and The Handkerchief 19:35 Read by Mark F. Smith
The King's Musketeers and The Cardinal's Guards 25:10 Read by Mark F. Smith
His Majesty King Louis XIII 47:54 Read by Mark F. Smith
The Interior of the Musketeers 22:30 Read by Mark F. Smith
Concerning a Court Intrigue 19:52 Read by Mark F. Smith
D'Artagnan Shows Himself 18:33 Read by Mark F. Smith
A Mousetrap in the Seventeenth Century 22:18 Read by Mark F. Smith
In Which the Plot Thickens 41:22 Read by Mark F. Smith
George Villiers - Duke of Buckingham 21:20 Read by Mark F. Smith
Monsieur Bonacieux 21:21 Read by Mark F. Smith
The Man of Meung 23:27 Read by Mark F. Smith
Men of the Robe and Men of the Sword 19:44 Read by Mark F. Smith
In Which M. de Segurier, Keeper of the Seals, Looks More Than Once for the Bell 29:03 Read by Mark F. Smith
Bonacieux at Home 31:50 Read by Mark F. Smith
Lover and Husband 15:31 Read by Mark F. Smith
Plan of Campaign 19:16 Read by Mark F. Smith
The Journey 25:42 Read by Mark F. Smith
The Countess de Winter 22:53 Read by Mark F. Smith
The Ballet of La Merlaison 17:14 Read by Mark F. Smith
The Rendezvous 25:29 Read by Mark F. Smith
The Pavilion 24:47 Read by Mark F. Smith
Porthos 44:33 Read by Mark F. Smith
Aramis and His Thesis 40:26 Read by Mark F. Smith
The Wife of Athos 47:30 Read by Mark F. Smith
The Return 32:12 Read by Mark F. Smith
Hunting for the Equipments 21:08 Read by Mark F. Smith
D'Artagnan and the Englishman 17:44 Read by Mark F. Smith
English and French 17:48 Read by Mark F. Smith
A Procurator's Dinner 23:13 Read by Mark F. Smith
Mistress and Soubrette 22:00 Read by Mark F. Smith
In Which the Equipment of Porthos and Aramis Is Treated Of 20:18 Read by Mark F. Smith
A Gascon a Match for Cupid 17:28 Read by Mark F. Smith
Dream of Vengeance 17:03 Read by Mark F. Smith
Milady's Secret 16:18 Read by Mark F. Smith
How, Without Incommoding Himself, Athos Procures His Equipment 21:04 Read by Mark F. Smith
A Vision 21:05 Read by Mark F. Smith
A Terrible Vision 18:58 Read by Mark F. Smith
The Siege of La Rochelle 30:03 Read by Mark F. Smith
The Anjou Wine 17:43 Read by Mark F. Smith
The Sign of the Red Dovecot 18:50 Read by Mark F. Smith
The Utility of Stovepipes 19:20 Read by Mark F. Smith
A Conjugal Visit 14:15 Read by Mark F. Smith
The Bastion Saint-Gervais 15:49 Read by Mark F. Smith
The Council of the Musketeers 37:47 Read by Mark F. Smith
A Family Affair 33:57 Read by Mark F. Smith
A Fatality 19:23 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chat Between a Brother and Sister 18:40 Read by Mark F. Smith
Officer 26:30 Read by Mark F. Smith
Captivity: The First Day 17:26 Read by Mark F. Smith
Captivity: The Second Day 18:03 Read by Mark F. Smith
Captivity: the Third Day 21:51 Read by Mark F. Smith
Captivity: The Fourth Day 21:36 Read by Mark F. Smith
Captivity: The Fifth Day 37:15 Read by Mark F. Smith
Means of Classical Tragedy 16:39 Read by Mark F. Smith
Escape 18:30 Read by Mark F. Smith
What Happened at Portsmouth 24:29 Read by Mark F. Smith
In France 12:49 Read by Mark F. Smith
The Carmelite Convent at Bethune 30:58 Read by Mark F. Smith
Two Varieties of Demons 11:07 Read by Mark F. Smith
The Drop of Water 32:27 Read by Mark F. Smith
The Man in the Red Cloak 13:34 Read by Mark F. Smith
Trial 19:05 Read by Mark F. Smith
Execution 11:14 Read by Mark F. Smith
Conclusion 21:06 Read by Mark F. Smith
Epilogue 4:04 Read by Mark F. Smith

Reviews

Narrated by Mark Smith, I think

(5 stars)

One of the best narrators on Librivox. Its rare for a single narrator to do a story of this length but the story is the more awesome for it. As for the story itself, the ending tone was much different than the old Gene Kelly movie that brought me here, but I loved it all the same. Great story, great narration.

Solid Read

(5 stars)

Solid reading of an excellent, classic story -one of the most widely read French novels of all time! I prefer the consistency of pronunciation and pacing of this version as compared to the version read by a group of volunteers (although that one is listenable, too). Many thanks to Mark Smith!

Riveting tale; don't expect the movie

(4 stars)

This French tale is a daring look at France and the time of the Musketeers. So much happens as to make one sometimes amused and often despair for the lives of the four main characters. I did not know every movie rendition differed greatly from this book's storyline, keeping the characters well-portrayed but events quite different. Which is better? Listen to this to find out.

Brilliant

(5 stars)

Not only is the story an excellent one, the dictation one of the best I've heard. At no time did I have any problem in knowing which character was which due to the narrators brilliant voices. It has cost me more of my spare time than I could afford in listening to this recording, but I have gladly paid it and will do so again.

Excellent story and Excellent narrative by Mark Smith

(5 stars)

Mark Smith, as always, has done an astounding job reading this book. He has very recognizable accents for each character and reads at the perfect pace. The story is interesting, engaging, and fun. Thank you for another great work, Mark Smith and Alexandre Dumas!

(4 stars)

I felt the story was rather okay at best. Quite a meandering plot, with rather flat and unlikeable protagonists - though to be fair there are some very fun parts too. But Mark Smith's amazing narration made it worth listening all the way through!

BRAVO DUMAS, BRAVO SMITH

(5 stars)

The lead says it all. A wonderful adventure, and an awesome narration. As one other has already noted, it differs greatly from the Gene Kelly movie, but both are enjoyable.

(5 stars)

Mark Smith is my favorite reader. In this story, he successfully provides a variety of voices to cover the characters. He does well with the frequent French words and names.