The first and most successful in the Baroness’s series of books that feature Percy Blakeney, who leads a double life as an English fop and a swashbuckling rescuer of aristocrats, The Scarlet Pimpernel was the blueprint for what became known as the masked-avenger genre. As Anne Perry writes in her Introduction, the novel “has almost reached its first centenary, and it is as vivid and appealing as … appealing as ever because the plotting is perfect. It is a classic example of how to construct, pace, and conclude a plot. . . . To rise on the crest of laughter without capsizing, to survive being written, rewritten, and reinterpreted by each generation, is the mark of a plot that is timeless and universal, even though it happens to be set in England and France of 1792.”
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This is one of those classic romances that I go back and re-read. (I also love the movie version with Jane Seymour.) The stakes are high, the hero is daring, but his love for the heroine be his ruin. This is a timeless romance with so many elements I love. The Scarlet Pimpernel was also the inspiration for Alexander, Duke of Inverfyre, in my …
What was my “favorite book” I read in high school. It sure was not any novel I was assigned to read. I don’t remember how I got the copy, but it was THE SCARLET PIMPERNL.in its own way it spoke of something history books forgot to talk about, THE REIGN OF TERROR, part of the FRENCH REVOLUTION. IT Basicaly was a tale of members of the ENGLISH …
This book has been made into a few movies, which I’ve enjoyed. But the book, especially the ending, is WAY better. It’s a little scary because it’s set during the French Revolution but the hero is so very heroic and the ending is amazing. Love, love, love this book.
During France’s Reign of Terror, a disguised Englishman whisks innocent nobles away from the thirsty maw of the guillotine. French authorities will stop at nothing to capture the daring hero, who leaves a calling card with the mark of a scarlet pimpernel at the scene of all his escapades.
One of my go-to guilty pleasures for years was The Pink …
Read 4.23.2021
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Ahhh, the French Revolution!! Revolts, fleeing, Madame Guillotine; all make for a fun read [LOL]. This one, in my opinion, is even better, because it features someone who is willing to risk their own life and limb to save those who need saving out of war-torn France. Well-written, excellently narrated …
The Scarlet Pimpernel, an adventurous Englishman who snatches doomed aristocrats from among the guillotine’s victims, is a master of disguise and escape. His alias characters are so compelling that they will even deceive you on more than one occasion! A must read for all high-adventure fans.
A tragic time in history that showcased the worst as well as the best in humanity. Baroness Orczy did a remarkable job of fashioning an interesting story with believable characters in such a bloody and bewildering setting. This is a great resource to add to a historical curriculum since it makes a key historical moment really come alive. A …
I watched the stage musical version of The Scarlet Pimpernel in 1999 and immediately ranked it in my list of favorites. The show carried suspense, betrayal, romance, guillotines, fantastic costumes, and a soundtrack worthy of listening to over and over again. So, when I finally picked up the novel version, I was glad to find a tale as worthy as my …
I read this–as well as watched the movie–while writing my next book that I recently submitted to my publisher, and I found it to be even more romantic than the movie. It is written in an older style, however, but once I moved past that issue, I really enjoyed it.
Let’s start with the most important part: By far, the best classic I have ever opened. Backtracking, years ago, I saw the stage performance of The Scarlet Pimpernel on Broadway, and since, have told myself,”someday, you need to read the book.” I decided 2017 was going to be that year. So, after having delved into a fair number of other classics, I …
A great classic read that includes history, adventure, mystery, and romance. I had a hard time putting it down. The charcters are well developed without boring you with unnecessary facts. I loved this book!
The Scarlet Pimpernel Collection is timeless. They are wonderful books written in an age of romantic adventure.
While this book has a few anti-semitic undertones, it’s still a good read. Sir Percy is still a dreamy hero, and his honor, ingenuity, and bold courage in the face of the French Revolution mob is wonderful. If you like disguises, sword fighting, and can deal with a narrative style of writing vs. dialogue heavy book, this one might appeal to you. …
Loved this book. Clever and creative. Definitely one you want to own so you can revisit it!
Loved it forever!!! Long time favorite, I was obsessed with The Scarlet Pimpernel in high school, I used to have these old black and white VHF copies of a series that was produced as well as the movie…