First Book Club Meeting!

Hope this works for everyone...Saturday at 5:00 at Mom's. I'm going to make the classic French delicacy beef bourgignon (beef stew). Anybody want to volunteer for French bread, salad, or a nice little French dessert? Somebody could also bring some delectable French chocolates if they want. :)

Fingers crossed that I can get this read...the only way it's going to happen is if I neglect a monstrous stack of papers that need to be graded. My students don't really care about their grades, right?

I've been rereading The Three Musketeers in anticipation of our get-together and have been reminded on every page why I enjoyed it so the first time through.


Dumas has a genius for capturing an environment and portraying characters that are fascinating and enthralling despite their rather horrific activities (dueling, slashing, killing, conniving, and total disregard for moral behavior in pursuing women). I love them all now just as I did when I first read the novel.


I was really amused reading the happenings with the character Bonacieux, D'Artagnan's landlord and husband to the Queen's aide who is at the heart of all adventures that are coming. Poor Bonacieux is really an innocent by-stander who ends up being arrested for a Queen's indiscretion and who's wife is then pursued by the man (D'Artagnan) he seeks for help. While Bonacieux is presented (and treated) as if he is a witless fool, his come-backs and rejoinders while being interrigated are hilarious. He manages, while confessing to everything brought up and pleading for his life, to, nevertheless, fling one zinger after another at his accuser and interrogator. He even flings a few after the Cardinal, around whom even the King steps lightly. This is Dumas at his best.

I can't wait for the next chapter...