The Three Musketeers book club questions

The reading plan

Meeting 1: Chapters 1 to 20

1. When rivals join forces against guardsmen, what would make you trust their new friendship?
2. How much sympathy does wounded pride deserve when it brings a beating and trouble?
3. When an arrest tests the four friends, what should loyalty require, and where should it stop?
4. How freely can Anne choose when Buckingham presses his love and she offers a keepsake to secure his departure?
5. How should fear affect our judgment of Bonacieux when he denies involvement in his wife's actions?

Meeting 2: Chapters 21 to 42

6. How does the empty pavilion change your expectations about the risks of a secret invitation?
7. What might Aramis's sudden change of plans suggest about his religious resolve?
8. How does hearing Athos's disturbing account of marriage and punishment affect your trust in his judgment?
9. How would you distinguish affection from manipulation in Porthos's effort to secure support?
10. How should we judge the choice to exploit Kitty's affection after she reveals her mistress's hatred?

Meeting 3: Chapter 43 to Epilogue

11. How should Athos's forced seizure of signed authorization affect our judgment of his methods?
12. How much responsibility does Milady share for Buckingham's death when Felton carries out the killing?
13. Is Athos helping his grieving friend by turning him toward revenge, or narrowing his choices?
14. What would make the death sentence against Milady seem like justice rather than revenge?
15. Does the companions' separation weaken the meaning of their friendship, or can separate paths be a fitting ending?

Themes to talk about

Tips for the host

1. Open each meeting with one question everyone can answer, then go deeper.
2. Anyone who fell behind can catch up with the 15-minute summary.