The Scarlet Pimpernel (Everyman's Library Children's Classics)

The obvious thing to point out is that the book is hardly historically accurate - indeed she makes very little effort to make it so, for example not having even researched period costume and including some whimsical chronology! Her love for the characters, and consequential hate of the revolutionaries and in particular Chavelin, can also be a little tiring as it lacks psychological depth (if you want to see Chavelin being portrayed well watch the marvellous 1982 production where Ian McKellan makes him incredibly deep and intricate). The Baroness' writing style can also be a little tired and cliched from time to time.

None the less, this is a fantastic book. Sir Percy in particular is a deep character, and appearance and reality is (peraps unintentionally) expolored well in the text. Besides, the estrangement of Percy and Marguerite always brings lump to my throat. If you want some light and exciting reading this is the book for you - perfect for holidays and literary critiques!


Fantastic   November 30, 2001
5 out of 9 found this review helpful

This is an absolutely fantastic book. It appeals both to the guys and the gals, it has suspense, excitement, romance, adventure, comedy and surprises, all perfectly blended. This is a truly un-putdownable book, and since reading it has become one of my firm favourites, I recommend it to anyone who has ever enjoyed a book!


a classic story, much underestimated   January 18, 2000
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

This story must rank alongside some of the all time greats of british literature. The story of how a woman unwittingly becomes involved in her husband's secret life of espionage is timeless (if you don't believe me, watch 'true lies'). Orczy's style is gripping, if a little melodramatic, but she is hampered by the restraints of prudish Victorian/Edwardian morals. Some of the less constrained sequels to this book contain endings worthy of Ian Fleming (although they were written some twenty years and more before the creation of James Bond). Indeed Orczy's 'hero with a secret identity' pre-dates Superman, Batman and even Zorro. Both the author and her characters were definately ahead of their time and it is a shame that they are so often neglected. This book will appeal to lovers of romantic, adventure or historical fiction. It is pure, unadulterated escapism.


Adventure, suspense, humor and romance - magnifique!   November 19, 1998
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Baroness Orczy's classic story set in 1792 during the French Revolution is about a band of valiant Englishmen under the leadership of a mysterious man whose unsurpassed grit, audacity and clever disguises would rescue the fortunate few aristos from the insatiable Madamme Guillotine.

Actor/Writer Hugh Laurie (Cousin Bette, Jeeves and Wooster, The Gun Seller), does rightful justice to The Scarlet Pimpernel as he brillantly brings this classic to life. With sharp characterizations of the villainous French agent Chauvelin; unerring shifts from foppish and inane to the cold, proud, passionate Sir Percy Blakeney and a dozen other characters, each with their own distinctive voices and accents, Laurie gives you the illusion of listening to a cast of superb readers. Thoroughly enjoyable! Drawback - it's abridged. Asset - The Triumph of the Scarlet Pimpernel.