This study examines the ways in which the figure of Anne of Austria has attracted and ustained the attention of writers in modern French literature.It shows the principal role of Anne in
several works of French fiction. Although seeming unimportant in Dumas THREE MUSKETEERS trilogy, Anne is the only non-musketeer to appear in all three volumes. We see her in her role in the
works by Vigny, Dumas, and Merle as she evolves from a victim of Cardinal Richelieu and Louis XIII, to a victimizer of the people and the musketeers, to finally a dying, neglected woman. At one
point in the works, she acts like a Spanich agent against the interests of her adopted country. Vigny's Anne is only shown at one point in time, but Damus; evolves into a French queen, ready to
do anything necessary to save her son's throne and authority. Merle's Anne follows a similar path, but is portrayed unsympathetically and who is justifiably neglected by all at the end of the
series.
