by Cookie N Screen
Dr. King Schultz: Actually, I was thinking of that poor devil you fed to the dogs today, D'Artagnan. And I was wondering what Dumas would make of all this.
Calvin Candie: Come again?
Dr. King Schultz: Alexander Dumas. He wrote "The Three Musketeers." I figured you must be an admirer. You named your slave after his novel's lead character. If Alexander Dumas had been there today, I wonder what he would have made of it?
Calvin Candie: You doubt he'd approve?
Dr. King Schultz: Yes. His approval would be a dubious proposition at best.
Calvin Candie: Soft hearted Frenchy?
Dr. King Schultz: Alexander Dumas was black.
This is an exchange from last year’s phenomenal Quentin Tarantino’s Western Django Unchained, which shocked a mostly ignorant audience watching, myself included and the fact had caused a trickle of confusion to kneed my brow. The author of one of the most famous French romps of literature history was, indeed, black. Descended from slavery, Alexandre Dumas was a literary icon who strived in his excellence and become a name on the wagging tongues of aristocracy, in a time where his skin colour and race where made mockery and treated inhumanely. Yet he has provided us with a book so undeniably good and rousing that it’s legacy still lives on.
Dr. King Schultz: Actually, I was thinking of that poor devil you fed to the dogs today, D'Artagnan. And I was wondering what Dumas would make of all this.
Calvin Candie: Come again?
Dr. King Schultz: Alexander Dumas. He wrote "The Three Musketeers." I figured you must be an admirer. You named your slave after his novel's lead character. If Alexander Dumas had been there today, I wonder what he would have made of it?
Calvin Candie: You doubt he'd approve?
Dr. King Schultz: Yes. His approval would be a dubious proposition at best.
Calvin Candie: Soft hearted Frenchy?
Dr. King Schultz: Alexander Dumas was black.
This is an exchange from last year’s phenomenal Quentin Tarantino’s Western Django Unchained, which shocked a mostly ignorant audience watching, myself included and the fact had caused a trickle of confusion to kneed my brow. The author of one of the most famous French romps of literature history was, indeed, black. Descended from slavery, Alexandre Dumas was a literary icon who strived in his excellence and become a name on the wagging tongues of aristocracy, in a time where his skin colour and race where made mockery and treated inhumanely. Yet he has provided us with a book so undeniably good and rousing that it’s legacy still lives on.
Do I need to write a synopsis? The Three Musketeers is the much beloved and famed book by Dumas. Originally produced in France in 1844 and set in the 17th Century, the period romp follows the story of d’Artagnan – a farm boy who dreams of working alongside the famed Musketeers of the Guard. Athos, Porthos and Aramis have the biggest bromance in Paris, and have sworn to protect the crown at all costs. Unfortunately, a massive plot against them and the King is being played under their noses by Cardinal Richelieu.
Originally published as a serial, The Three Musketeers is a very merry and classic piece of fiction that will titillate, excite and absorb you in its fun filled adventures. The swash-buckling antics of the trio plus one are a treat as they sword fight, kick butt and quip, chortling along with their wine-guzzled bellies. This poignant and historical fete will delight and charm people of all ages. It’s funny, it’s dangerous and it is filled with such pleasure that it is impossible not to enjoy!
Originally published as a serial, The Three Musketeers is a very merry and classic piece of fiction that will titillate, excite and absorb you in its fun filled adventures. The swash-buckling antics of the trio plus one are a treat as they sword fight, kick butt and quip, chortling along with their wine-guzzled bellies. This poignant and historical fete will delight and charm people of all ages. It’s funny, it’s dangerous and it is filled with such pleasure that it is impossible not to enjoy!
Though the abundance of masculinity is only matched by the wine, there is the feminine element to it as well. Because if you were to look back at the years of badassery from the ladies, Milady De Winter would be the prime example (although, one could argue that her position as spy often serves as a indictment of women and their betrayal against men, but it could merely show that she is just as cunning to play against every depiction of the male).
I have often said that every generation has their own The Three Musketeers adaptation. From the classics of Gene Kelly and Disney to Keifer Sutherland, Oliver Platt and Charlie Sheen guzzling wine and causing an American raucous. From the little Dogtanian and his Muskehounds on children’s television to the 2011 guilty pleasure frolic with Matthew Macfayden and funnily enough, Christoph Waltz. And finally most recently, with the BBC adaptation. There has never been an era that hasn’t seen three to four men cause mayhem against the Government spouting out those immortal lines “all for one and one for all.”
The Three Musketeers to be this celebrated now is a vast achievement for black authors and black history month. Not that it is surprising because the original book is an outstanding piece of literature that truly captures the follies of the heroes. That action packed spirit bounds through the book with an exuberance that will enthral any reader who likes true adventure. Make sure you have it on your book shelf, your children will love it.
I have often said that every generation has their own The Three Musketeers adaptation. From the classics of Gene Kelly and Disney to Keifer Sutherland, Oliver Platt and Charlie Sheen guzzling wine and causing an American raucous. From the little Dogtanian and his Muskehounds on children’s television to the 2011 guilty pleasure frolic with Matthew Macfayden and funnily enough, Christoph Waltz. And finally most recently, with the BBC adaptation. There has never been an era that hasn’t seen three to four men cause mayhem against the Government spouting out those immortal lines “all for one and one for all.”
The Three Musketeers to be this celebrated now is a vast achievement for black authors and black history month. Not that it is surprising because the original book is an outstanding piece of literature that truly captures the follies of the heroes. That action packed spirit bounds through the book with an exuberance that will enthral any reader who likes true adventure. Make sure you have it on your book shelf, your children will love it.
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