Alexandre Dumas

Alexandre Dumas understood the pleasures of a good story: a daring escape, a secret identity, a friendship tested, a wrong that demands to be avenged. In The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo, he created worlds full of danger, intrigue and unforgettable characters. Yet beneath the excitement lie questions about loyalty, justice and the consequences of revenge, giving readers much to ponder as well as enjoy.

His own life offers another fascinating story. The grandson of an enslaved woman and the son of a general, Dumas rose to become one of France’s most celebrated writers. He wrote for the theatre, travelled widely and brought an enormous appetite for life to his work. His interests extended to food and animals, and his account of his pets reveals an affectionate, entertaining side of the man behind the adventures.

I find Dumas an author who rewards readers who explore beyond his two best-known novels. His memoirs, travel writing and stories of his animal companions offer further encounters with his lively personality, while adaptations invite us to revisit familiar characters through fresh eyes. Whether you are returning to an old favourite or meeting him for the first time, I’ll show you his world.