The Scarlet Pimpernel Book review.

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Title: The Scarlet Pimpernel.

Author: Baroness Orczy.

Gene: Classic, Historical Fiction, Action/Adventure, Romance.

Plot: Opening with a clever and daring rescue of the French Comtesse de Tourney and her two children by the mysterious Scarlet Pimpernel and his band of brave, adventurous fellow Englishmen, this classic novel will give you a glimpse into the past while supplying you with one of the most dashing heroes ever invented with pen and paper. The year is 1792 during France’s bloody Reign of Terror and the setting bounces between England and France; the English are completely in love with the unknown hero who uses a small wildflower as his calling card while the French government wants him dead as soon as possible.

Margerite Blakeney is the brilliant wife of the fop Sir Percy Blakeney, she scorns her husband {whom she thinks doesn’t love her anymore} and adores the Pimpernel while Percy cares for nothing beyond the tying of his cravat and buying the latest cut in coats. Or so it seems to everyone who doesn’t know Percy as well as a select few. When an old friend from France by name of Chauvelin threatens Margerite’s beloved brother Armand’s life, Margerite agrees to help him track down the Scarlet Pimpernel and unwittingly betrays her own husband into his ruthless hands. Discovering the truth of her husband’s foppish behavior and hidden love for her, Margerite rushes to France to warn him of the danger he is in and finds herself a prisoner of Chauvenlin’s as he eagerly awaits the Scarlet Pimpernel’s arrival. Unfortunately for him, Percy got word ahead of time, altered his plans slightly and saves the day in a most surprising manner {to his wife at least}.

Likes/Dislikes: Personally, I’ve never liked Margerite Blakeney, she’s always come across to me as rather stupid but other than that this is a very good book. There are a couple mentions of characters being beaten but no details are given. There are sixteen sequels to this book but none are as good as the first {or so I’ve guessed, having read only one of the sequels}. This book is very much recommended.

Rating: PG-13 and up mainly because of the reading level.

Date Report Written: April 30, 2010.