Preface
The story of "The Three Musketeers", long-accepted as the classic adventure tale, is as well-known today as when it was first published approximately one hundred years ago. This reputation achieved in spite of the limitations imposed on the book by the puritanical mores of the day. Powerful censors substituted uncovered for naked, extremity for leg, charms for breasts, strawberries for nipples, thing for penis, stones for balls, place for cunt, occupy for fuck-thus depriving the writers of the times of any freedom of realistic expression.
But suppose such limitations had been lifted? Suppose episodes, adventures, descriptions, dialogue, and vocabulary (especially where sexual in nature) were no longer blue-pencilled by a severe censorship. There can be no doubt that if this were the case, masterpieces such as "The Three Musketeers" would be even more realistic and more graphic.
The adaptation of "The Three Musketeers" by John Farrel has achieved this goal. The story, though still occurring in its original setting in time and place, has been expanded and liberated and now includes a story-line, details, and wording that would have been deleted by prudish censors.
The immaturity of the youth, D'Artagnan, is shown not only in his relationship with Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, but also in his initial encounters with women. By the end of the story, he is as capable in the bedroom as he is as a soldier. And the "One For All, All For One" comaraderie of the three musketeers is carried out not only on the battlefield but also between the sheets.
The result? A "Three Musketeers" which is modern in concept and form, but which still retains the ingredients that made it a classic....