Dumas was a master of stringing a story out.
He wrote most of his books in serial form for newspapers, so since he got paid by the chapter, all his books are about three times longer than necessary. Thats not to say they aren't good though.

Your points about use just having Defoe and Jane Austin aren't strictly true either. We also get Robert Lewis Stevenson, James Fenimore Cooper and Sir Walter Scott. All wrote excellent swashbuckling yarns.
(Woodlouse say it with flowers. Send her a Triffid, Thu 5 Jan 2012, 16:50, 2 replies)

James Fenimore Cooper was American.

( Wet-chinned bag shanker Cannot parse Wogan, Thu 5 Jan 2012, 16:58, closed)

I didn't make a point about just having defoe and austin.
That would have been a moronic point to make.

We've also got Roger Hargreaves.
( Dr. Shambolic je suis charlie, Thu 5 Jan 2012, 17:10, closed)

You're just fishing for a quip implying he wrote a "Mr. Shambolic" book, about a big lumbering mutton chopped northaner with a chip on his shoulder and tourettes.

Then you can reply "that's Dr. Shambolic sir!"
( jagwap, Fri 6 Jan 2012, 14:02, closed)