Title: The Scarlet PimpernelAuthor: Baroness Orczy
Published: 1905, available in many, many editions
Category: Historical Fiction / Classics
Rating: 7/10
I've kept my brain from rotting this month! Just finished The Scarlet Pimpernel. I'm going to do a mini-review here. We'll be discussing it later this week on Dance Chica's blog for her classics book club, so I'll link to that when it happens.
I also put a brain icon, because it is a classic. But it is one of the more accessible classics I've ever read. And I'm a wimp about "literature" (said in snooty British accent).
Set during the French Revolution, The Scarlet Pimpernel is the story of a mysterious hero who is the leader of a league that is committed to rescuing French aristocrats who have been sentenced to death on the guillotine. He is a hero whose reputation becomes larger than life; his identity is a closely guarded secret, his rescues are so daring that people have attributed almost supernatural powers to him. The French government, tired of being made fools of, sends a spy named Chauvelin to London to try to track down the Pimpernel and figure out a way of arresting him. Chauvelin threatens and blackmails Lady Marguerite Blakeney, a French actress who has become the leader of fashionable society in London, into assisting him in unmasking our hero.
It's easy to see why this is a classic. It is just a great story. And I believe (I'm not an expert here) that it was very influential in literature--a kind of precursor to the modern-day superhero. It's been made into many movies, plays, tv shows, even musicals.
This book is HIGH, HIGH drama. Very exciting. It actually gets a little melodramatic for me there at the end. (If I can not safe him, I will stand by my love and we will perish together!!) And the heroine, Marguerite, is pretty much worthless, even though she is described as the cleverest woman in Europe.
But the Scarlet Pimpernel himself is so wonderful. So clever, ingenious, and resourceful. The scenes with him are brilliant. And the love story is great too--how misunderstandings and wounded pride can slowly destoy the happiness of such strong-willed characters.
I'm looking forward to hearing what everyone else thought of this.
8 comments:
OMG, yes. the drama was hilarious at the end. Especially when Marguerite decided to yell out at everyone.
I love this book so I am glad you liked it. (^_^)
I go into hysterics whenever Percy starts to act like the nincompoop that the consummate actor he is. That levity contrasts sharply with the silent, simmering devotion towards Marguerite.
Glad you liked it.
p.s. Rob, over at Blog of the Day, wishes to pass along his appreciation of your work. He featured the post in which I highlighted your blog for eye-catcing deisgn in http://blogoftheday.org/page/111943
So funny....I just picked up this book to read it for the first time ever (I've seen the movie and read lots of the classics...but never this one).
I'm enjoying it so far, and I agree that it's very "accessible" and easy to read.
Samantha--I know! She was so clever at the beginning and then she turned into a screaming idiot.
Mailyn--See we like some of the same stuff. Even if you can't stand Austen. *gasp!*
AG-Percy is so funny as the nincompoop! "Odd's fish, m'dear" lol.
Lovely about the Blog of the Day. :)
Colleen-Hi! I don't read all that many classics--I think it's a reaction to being forced to read depressing things in school. (Tess of the Durbervilles comes to mind. *shudder*) But Pimpernel is a good one.
I didn't even start reading this yet. Thank god DanceChica changed the date to the 28th. LOL
Better get crackin' Ames. We'll have to make fun of you a little if you don't finish it. ;)
No, not really. I hate being forced into reading things. Drives me nuts!
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