Orczy, Emmuska

The Scarlet Pimpernel: 100th Anniversary Edition (Signet Classics)

Average customer rating:

Swashbuckling without swords and almost without violence
God Save the King!
One of the best books of all time.
Dual Identity equals Adventure
read for 10th grade honors english

The Scarlet Pimpernel: 100th Anniversary Edition (Signet Classics)
Baroness Orczy Emmuska
Manufacturer: Signet Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Classics | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Fiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

The Scarlet Pimpernel
To Say Nothing of the Dog
Full Dark House (Bryant & May Mysteries)
The Elusive Pimpernel (Dover Value Editions)
The Scarlet Pimpernel

ASIN: 0451527623

Book Description

During the French Revolution's reign of terror, the mysterious Scarlet Pimpernel rescues helpless men, women, and children from their doom in this unique, wonderfully colorful adventure classic.

Download Description

If you've never read The Scarlet Pimpernel, order this great book now! Move over Zorro and Superman ? here is the first costumed-hero with a secret identity, plus literature's most fiery, independent and alluring heroine.

Customer Reviews:

Swashbuckling without swords and almost without violence.......2007-06-10

"The Scarlet Pimpernel" is a swashbuckling tale of the French Revolution's reign of terror, only without any swords swashing, and open contempt for the revolutionaries.

A couragous Englishman and a band of his fellow aristocrats rescue French nobles from death at the hands of unwashed masses who shout "Librete, Egalite, Fraternite!" and murder and suppress anyone associated with the earlier regime. The Englishmen don't do this out of duty, or opposition to the brutal leaders in France, but for the sport of it, or so they claim to conceal nobler motives. The sinister Chauvelin, an agent of the French Republic is dedicated to rooting out the Scarlet Pimpernel, the leader of the band who makes fools of the Revolution.

Short, very readable, with engaging characters who have personal lives, flaws, and issues as well as heroic traits and adventures, this book is pretty darned good. Unlike most stories of late Eighteenth Century Europe, swordplay and violence in general is conspicuous by its absence. The Scarlet Pimpernel uses trickery, cunning, and audacity to outsmart the French authorities who are bent on his destruction as they try to murder the remnants of the French Aristocracy. I liked it a lot, and largely because it wouldn't get good reviews in todays media.

"The Scarlet Pimpernel" shows the virtues of monarchy, the vices of democracy, the nobility of taking personal risk to life and limb for strangers, the villiany of the will of the masses, the weakness of grim single-minded determination, and above all, the strength of laughter and a light heart. All of which constitute heresy to "real" book reviewers in academia and the media. Read it, and enjoy a perspective not normally heard, as well as an outstanding adventure story.

God Save the King!.......2007-06-02

The Scarlet Pimpernel is a classic novel, though it is hard to categorize. It is part romance, part adventure, part spy thriller, and part superhero fiction. All of these elements went into the pot and the resulting stew is extremely entertaining.

The book follows the adventures of Sir Percy Blakeney as he seeks to help French aristocrats escape the guillotine during the French Revolution. Since official English policy forbids this, Blakeney adopts a masked identity as the Scarlet Pimpernel to remain anonymous. The French, of course, detest this interference in their affairs and set out to trap and kill the Pimpernel at all costs. As part of his effort to deflect suspicion from himself, he plays the fool in every day life and he does it well. His own wife considers him a useless fop... and that's where the story really gets interesting.

I won't give away more of the plot, but she ends up following him into danger in an attempt to save him. This allows the most suspenseful section of the book to be told from Mrs. Blakeney's perspective. Her terror for her husband's fate is pure and adds to the tension considerably. If we saw it through the Pimpernel's eyes, it would doubtless be far more composed and nowhere near as suspenseful.

In closing, The Scarlet Pimpernel is well worth buying. It's laugh out loud funny, suspenseful, romantic, and generally quite a page-turner.

One of the best books of all time........2007-02-22

I adore this novel and the Baroness' writing style. I'll admit that I chose this version for its cover, but had always wanted to read the novel. Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. This is a great book for anyone who is a fan of historical dramas, adventure and/or romance. It's definitely a great book for both sexes and many ages!

Dual Identity equals Adventure.......2007-02-19

This book is definitely on my top five of historical fiction. Similar in content to A Tale of Two Cities, the Scarlet Pimpernell follows a man of dual identity who, for sport, travels to France during the French revolution to rescue aristocrats. The book is filled with intrigue, romance, and adventure. A must read!

read for 10th grade honors english.......2007-02-09

I had to read the scarlet pimpernel for my English class. I thought that it would be yet again another boring classic. It turned out to be something a lot more. The intrigue was interesting and the love was not the kind you would read in Shakespeare, but also not explicit at all. I am not going to ruin the book by telling you who the Scarlet Pimpernel is, but I would reccomend it to anyone, especially anyone interested in blackmail and spying or historical novels.

The Scarlet Pimpernel (Enriched Classics)

Average customer rating:

The Scarlet Pimpernel (Enriched Classics)
Emmuska Orczy
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Classics | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Fiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Full Dark House (Bryant & May Mysteries)
Sense and Sensibility (Enriched Classics)
To Say Nothing of the Dog
I, Claudius : From the Autobiography of Tiberius Claudius, Born 10 B.C., Murdered and Deified A.D. 54 (Vintage International)
The Scarlet Pimpernel

ASIN: 0743487745

Book Description

<CENTER><B>ENDURING LITERATURE ILLUMINATED

BY PRACTICAL SCHOLARSHIP</B></CENTER>

<B><CENTER>EACH ENRICHED CLASSIC EDITION INCLUDES:</CENTER></B>

• A concise introduction that gives readers important background information

• A chronology of the author's life and work

• A timeline of significant events that provides the book's historical context

• An outline of key themes and plot points to help readers form their own interpretations

• Detailed explanatory notes

• Critical analysis, including contemporary and modern perspectives on the work

• Discussion questions to promote lively classroom and book group interaction

• A list of recommended related books and films to broaden the reader's experience

<CENTER>Enriched Classics offer readers affordable editions of great works of literature enhanced by helpful notes and insightful commentary. The scholarship provided in Enriched Classics enables readers to appreciate, understand, and enjoy the world's finest books to their full potential.

SERIES EDITED BY CYNTHIA BRANTLEY JOHNSON</CENTER>

Book Description

And God spoke to her at last; through the eternal vistas of boundless universe, from that heaven which had known no pity, His voice came to her now, clear, awesome, and implacable.

Download Description

And God spoke to her at last; through the eternal vistas of boundless universe, from that heaven which had known no pity, His voice came to her now, clear, awesome, and implacable.

Customer Reviews:

Flee the Embrace of Madame Guillotine.......2006-04-28

I WILL REPAY, a sequel to Orczy's novel THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, is a delightful romp through fields of adventure, danger, betrayal, daring rescue, and true love. Orczy's weaving of the love motif amidst the events of the plot, events that threaten at any moment to bring down the wrath of Robespierre's Committee of Public Safety upon our protagonists, a wrath that would inevitably and quickly lead them to the guillotine, is adroitly done. Her weaving integrates threads of misunderstanding, misinterpretation, and erroneous conclusion with those of attraction, trust, adoration, and longing to produce a tapestry replete with the darkness of betrayal and the brightness of redemption.

As in THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, women in I WILL REPAY are both the cause of the novel's crisis and the reward after its resolution. Juliette Marny's naivete and innocence in the ways of the world lead her to agree to a terrible oath when her brother is killed, in a fair fight one must note, by Paul Deroulede. Her unquestioning religious beliefs overcome her yet immature judgement and compassion and give that oath, taken many years earlier, the upper hand and lead to the denouncement of Deroulede to the deadly Committee of Public Safety in revolutionary France.

Juliette is not the only character to suffer from the "weakness of a woman's heart." The strange, malformed little Anne Mie contrives to betray Juliette just as Juliette betrays Deroulede. While Orczy's women are the betrayers and instigators in these novels, none is of truly evil disposition. Their betrayals are the result of their "feminine weakness," a characteristic that may appear strange to a 21st century reader who is accustomed to seeing contemporary women as at least equal to men if not, in many cases, their superiors. However, such was not the case when Baroness Orczy wrote in the early 20th century and was certainly not the norm in 18th century France, historical exceptions such as Joan of Arc notwithstanding. Orczy's women, therefore, are weak and are subject to all the frailties in judgement of their sex, but they are as much innocent victims of this as are those whom they betray because of those frailties.

After the multiple misunderstandings and betrayals, we find both Juliette Marny and Paul Deroulede condemned by the court, in the cart surrounded by the National Guard, and en route to prison, through which they will quickly pass to the embrace of Madame Guillotine. How can they possibly escape? Readers who have already made the acquaintance of the Scarlet Pimpernel in Orczy's novel of that name will understand that very little is beyond the wiles of this Englishman bent on thumbing his nose at the revolutionary government by spiriting its prey to the safety of his own country. His swashbuckling plan to rescue the condemned is the epitome of derring-do and is fully worthy of this surprising English gentleman.

If I find anything in this novel to rebuke, it may be Orczy's incessant painting of the revolutionary government and of the Parisian mobs in the darkest, filthiest, and most noisome colors she can create. Not to sound as an apologist for the horrors of the First Republic, but I did find the constant portrayal of its proponents as the most loathsome and nastiest of creatures to be annoying after a time. In this regard, Orczy not only made her point early but kept making it at every turn in the story. The plot would not have suffered from a little less vehemence and less heavy-handedness in her descriptions.

One can find, amidst the swashbuckling adventure of this novel, a few moral lessons, too, especially one relating to the title. It is Juliette's oath, which she allows to supercede God's injunction to leave vengeance to Him, that is the root of the major crises in the story. Of course, had she followed God's word, rather than that of her dying and revenge-bent father, there would have been no story.

I am reminded that the first novel in the Pimpernel genre was originally written as a stage play. It is an easy transformation to see I WILL REPAY recast as a play as well, and it would be a most entertaining diversion. In either case, whether reading it in its actual form as a novel or playing it on the stage in one's mind, one will enjoy the experience of being in the audience as Baroness Orczy's story unfolds.

The Adventure Continues!.......2002-04-27

The adventure continues with the Scarlet Pimpernel back in France again to rescue innocent people from the guillotine. This book lacks nothing in adventure, excitement, and plot. The only disappointment in this book - and it is a minor one - is that the Scarlet Pimpernel himself is relegated to a secondary role. Even so, the good guy carries the day!

Only imagine.......2001-08-04

This book is great for a few reasons, namely that it focuses more on someone OTHER than the Pimpernel (don't get me wrong -he's cool, too, but it's not really his story).

This time, SP is only a help in a story where Juliette Marny (the heroine) is determined to right a wrong done to her brother (alas, deceased). When the opportunity comes, she takes it, only to find that she has fallen for the man she swore to bring down. So does it work out?

It all takes a little thinking, some tender memories and lots of pluck from Sir Percy, our heroine and her beloved, with Chauvelin and the revolutionary tribunal on their heels to make a great read.

Promises Kept---.......2000-07-09

What do you do when your greatest hate becomes your greatest love? Over the body of her dead brother, Juliette Marny's father has made her swear a blood oath. But, upon fulfilling her duties, she realizes all too late that she is in love. Now, she will sacrifice her name and honor to save him from the guillotine.

In this novel, Sir Percy is a supporting character who is both "the savior" and "the voice of reason." Percy argues that idealizing a woman is not, in reality, loving her in the truest sense. "Fall at the feet of your idol an you wish, but drag her down to your level after that--the only level she should ever reach, that of your heart."

Suspense and betrayal around every corner..........2000-06-09

Imagine falling in love with the one person whose life you've sworn to destroy. That's the story of Juliette Marny in this thrilling continuation of the SP series. Having taken a blood oath to avenge her brother's accidental death, Juliette betrays the popular Citizen-Deputy Paul Derolede only to discover that he is the only man she will ever love. Of course, our favorite hero, Sir Percy steps in to help Juliette out of her jam when all hope seems lost. But will our elusive pimpernel acutally succeed this time? This book contains page after page of suspense you won't want to put down!

Average customer rating:

Wonderful!!!!!!!!
A real triumph
Enjoyable, not excellent
a triumphant ending
Finally! The Last One!

Triumph of the Scarlet Pimpernel
Baroness Emmuska Orczy
Manufacturer: Buccaneer Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Sir Percy Hits Back
Way of the Scarlet Pimpernel
The Elusive Pimpernel (Dover Value Editions)
Adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel
I Will Repay

ASIN: 0899664601

Book Description

Read by Hugh Laurie Two cassettes Running time: 3 hours

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful!!!!!!!!.......2007-02-04

This is one of my favorite pimpernel books. It is so awsome!
The story begins with a fortune teller predicting to Robispeirre that the only thing to hinder his taking over France is the Scarlet Pimpernel. So, of course, he goes to Chauvelin, who once again sets masterful plans for the Pimpernel's capture.

One of the things that I liked about this book was the simplicity of plot. No more going for the Pimpernel's honor, or others through him. The plot is cut and dry simple, catch and kill the Scarlet Pimpernel. That is not to say that the Pimpernel does not have something up his sleeve. I simply mean that as far as Chauvelin is concerned his plots aren't as elaborate or far-fetched as they have been in the past.

Margarite is also involved(duh). But in the case of this book, she actually doesn't get involed through an act of her own stupidity. Also in this book it dwells less on Margarite's life in her captivity than others do.

Lastly, I love the dialogs in this book. Percy shines in this book almost unlike any other. Therisa Cabarras is an interesting character, and she has two great conversations with our elusive Hero. Chauvelin is Chauvelin. No matter how hard he tries he simply cannot keep track of Percy(and belive me he tries extra hard in this book). Chauvelin and Percy have the best exchange ever in this book, a whole chapter of uninterupted audacidy. Any Pimpernel lover will be in heaven.

I highly recomend this book to all who liked the original, and any of the sequels. But if you haven't read the original Scarlet Pimpernel then I suggest reading that first, so as to know the characters a little better.
-E

A real triumph.......2005-08-13

If you know this story, or have even read the CAPS section above, you'll know where I get my net-name from. La Cabarrus (based on a historical figure whose real life reads better than most fiction) is the main reason why this book is one of the best in the series. The terror has reached its height and both of Orczy's main protagonists are beginning to crack under the strain. Chauvelin has become obsessed with catching Sir Percy using any means necessary and his current tool is beautiful Spaniard, Theresia Cabarrus. Unfortunately for both Chauvelin and Blakeney, you never quite know where her loyalties lie. When she succeeds in luring Margot into Chauvelin's clutches, Sir Percy is driven to ever more extreme measures to save her. Can Cabarrus be trusted? Is she friend or foe? Unlike Chauvelin, she can see through Sir Percy's disguises, which makes her doubly dangerous to know.

As ever Orczy delivers a cracking good adventure through a slightly rose-tinted quizzing-glass, making even the rather gruesome sections seem light-hearted... unless you really stop and think about what she's saying.

Enjoyable, not excellent.......2001-11-12

Triumph is the first SP book I've read after the original story. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't excellent. I found the beginning to be very drawn out; it took me a very long time to read the first 75 pages or so, before it got going. Once it did start, (with Theresia and SP meeting for the first time) I found it to be fast paced, and I looked forward to reading it. However, the long beginning brought it down to a 3 star book for me. Also, the ending wasn't really explained at all...one second, literally, Robespierre is the tyrant in charge, next paragraph, well, no spoiler, but suffice to say he's not. Even in real life, the change was not so dramatic, and surely Orczy could have written a page or two more explaination.

Furthermore, I was disappointed that while St. Just, Andrew, and Tony were mentioned, that was about it; they were barely in the picture at all.

A fun adventure.....but not much more than that.

a triumphant ending.......2001-01-25

Triumph is an excellent ending to an excellent series. Sir Percy has to face his most difficult challenge. One that will bring him face to face with his most implacable enemey, and also save the life of the woman he adores. Full of Pimpernel wit and audacity, this is a must for all Pimpernel fans!

Finally! The Last One!.......2000-05-20

There really is one very good thing about this novel. It is the last one. With no EEEEVVVILL France left, Sir Percy must find a new hobby. Perhaps he will take up bottle-cap collecing. Anyways, I harbor particularly averse feelings to this particular episode of Pimpernel antics because of its sickening portrayal of Robespierre. Orczy sure outdoes herself in terms of historical laughability this time. Actually, I would laugh but I'm too scared thinking off all the poor misguided people who take the Baronness' word on this. OK, tell me...is there something wrong with this picture. Robespierre, that EEEVVVVILLL man, dreams of beheading all of France. Saint-Just, who anyone who knows anything about the Revolution at all knows was more radical than R and who supported Robespierre in everything, is described as "one of the most romantic figures of the entire Revolution." This is enough to make one's head ache, if one were inclined to believe that it is of the least importance at all. Fortunately for me, I am saved from that unhappy predicament. Like all the rest of the Pimpernel novels this is a series of unlikely adventures rescuing aristos...to heck with the common people!....with very little grace of writing and an absolutely deplorable grasp on reality.

Average customer rating:

Mam'zelle Guillotine
Baroness Emmuska Orczy
Manufacturer: Waking Lion Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Action & Adventure | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

I Will Repay
Sir Percy Leads the Band (The Scarlet Pimpernel Series)
The Elusive Pimpernel (Dover Value Editions)
Sir Percy Hits Back
El Dorado: Further Adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel (Dover Books on Literature & Drama)

ASIN: 160096155X

Book Description

The author writes, "Three aristos who were being sent to Paris for trial were absolutely spirited away from under the very nose of the highly efficient police administration of the province. Spirited away! There was no other word for it! And the whole thing was obviously the work of those abominable English, who were emissaries of the devil, for no flesh and blood human creature could have engineered so damnable a trick and then disappeared as if the earth had swallowed them up."

Download Description

Just think on it! Three aristos who were being sent to Paris for trial were absolutely spirited away from under the very nose of the highly efficient police administration of the province. Spirited away! There was no other word for it! And the whole thing was obviously the work of those abominable English, who were emissaries of the devil, for no flesh and blood human creature could have engineered so damnable a trick and then disappeared as if the earth had swallowed them up.

Average customer rating:

LORD TONY'S WIFE
Less Invective + More Involved Plot, + Developed Characters = A Better Novel
We seek him here, we seek him there...
More High Adventure
Pimpernel Time

Lord Tony's Wife
Baroness Emmuska Orczy
Manufacturer: Buccaneer Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Love & Romance | Literature & Fiction | Teens | Subjects | Books

General | Issues | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Teen Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

The Elusive Pimpernel (Dover Value Editions)
Mam'zelle Guillotine
The Triumph of the Scarlet Pimpernel
Sir Percy Leads the Band (The Scarlet Pimpernel Series)
I Will Repay

ASIN: 0899665535

Customer Reviews:

LORD TONY'S WIFE.......2006-08-29

Baroness Orczy writes in a fashion that you can easily invision the objects she is describing. You can feel the suffering and fear of the people as well as the unbridled hatred of their persecutors.
This book gives a detailed look into the private lives of The Scarlet Pimpernel and his loyal followers. Not only that of the brave heroes but also of the unselfish devotion of their wives, knowing that their husbands are in constant danger trying to help those in need. You can sense their bravery, the pain of being alone and waiting to see if their dear husband will return home unharmed.
This is indeed a wonderful book.

Less Invective + More Involved Plot, + Developed Characters = A Better Novel.......2006-07-04

LORD TONY'S WIFE is, I believe, the fifth book (or thereabouts) in the series written in the early 20th century by Baroness Orczy around the character of the Scarlet Pimpernel, that English adventurer, master of disguise, embodiment of bravado, and pillar of strength, whose self-appointed mission it is to rescue former aristocrats from the fell clutches of the Committee of Public Safety in late 18th century post-Revolutionary France. Should he fail, the bloodied guillotine shall claim yet another victim.

This book, however, shows what we might describe as a maturing of Orczy's style and a welcome variation on what was becoming a highly predictable plot in her earlier novels. Heretofore, Orczy has veritably hammered her readers with unceasing imprecations against the revolutionaries who overthrew a monarchy to establish the First Republic in France. Not to pardon the excesses and numerous beheadings practiced by the leaders of the late 18th century Republic, but Orczy's constant references to them as terrorists, thugs, murderers, villains, traitors and such like were becoming quite worn after four books of repetitive and caustic diatribe. Chauvelin, an agent of the revolutionary government and the Pimpernel's antagonist, was portrayed as nothing less than a minion of Satan. The negative hyperbole throughout the first four novels was becoming tedious, to say the least.

While the reader of LORD TONY'S WIFE still meets Chauvelin in his role of villainous antagonist, he is now only one of several. Likewise, while the revolutionary government is still portrayed as a pestilential blight upon the land and its people, Orczy has somewhat tired of battering her readers with unending string of imprecations against that government. The relief is palpable (at least until we get to the character of Carrier in the latter pages of the novel, when the hyperbolic strings of pejorative adjectives come alive again).

Orczy's characters seem more fully rounded and less stereotyped in this novel than in her earlier efforts, with, perhaps, the noted exception of Carrier. As such, they are more interesting, and the motivations for their actions evolve from their participation in actual events rather than resulting purely from their stereotyped natures. They are more believable as real people. One of the most enjoyable changes in this novel is that we no longer see our hapless lady fall into peril because of her essential "feminine weakness." While our fair lady does indeed fall into peril and must be rescued by the Scarlet Pimpernel as usual, this time it is in no way her fault. In fact, she is betrayed by her own father, who in turn has been beguiled by a clever plot laid by peasant Pierre Adet, or rather by his rich alter ego, the banker Martin-Roget.

In sum, the plot elements in LORD TONY'S WIFE are more complex and interesting than are those in the previous four novels, the characters are more rounded and less stereotyped, and the descriptions of the revolutionaries against whom the Pimpernel must pit his cunning are less stridently negative, all of which makes this the most interesting book of the series thus far. With that praise deservedly awarded, we must also admit that Orczy's novels remain primarily adventures written to entertain through their plot and action. As a writer, Orczy fits much more securely in the pulp fiction category than with the likes of Melville and Conrad, or even Rafael Sabatini (to include the swashbuckling genre).

I'm not quite certain just why her first work, THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, garnered so much popularity that it generated these sequels, but the name is well known, which is probably sufficient justification for reading the novel (originally a play) and its sequels. And please don't give up if the first three sequels seem repetitive and predictable. When you reach the fourth, LORD TONY'S WIFE, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at its comparative improvement in quality. Judged by nothing more than its entertainment value, the novel would probably extract five stars from me, but I just can't quite give the top rating to a plot-dependent adventure novel, no matter how much improved over its predecessors.

We seek him here, we seek him there..........2002-11-20

Okay, for those of you Pimpernel fanatics, this is the sixth book of the Pimpernel series. Our dear flirtatious Lord Anthony Dewhurst has fallen in love with a certain Yvonne de Kernogan. However, her father the Duc, and a vengeful peasant have other matrimonial plans for her. After some clever spying work, Sir Percy urges Lord Tony to marry Yvonne secretly. Things go all wrong when she is kidnapped shortly after the wedding, and Lord Tony must look to the Scarlet Pimpernel to help save his wife. Things are, of course, made difficult with Monsieur Chambertin...er, Chauvelin... on the trail.

Extremely entertaining and a great book!

More High Adventure.......2000-02-10

Martin-Roger kidnaps Lord Tony's Wife--taking her to France along with her father. Chauvelin uses the situation to his advantage. For, he knows that the Scarlet Pimpernel cannot be far behind. And, from reading a bundle of papers that were "dropped" on the ground, Chauvelin also knows one more thing---how much Sir Percy spends on cravats.

Pimpernel Time.......1999-06-21

Lord Tony's wife is stolen from him by the Martin-Roger. Chavelin joins in the story. He sets a trap for Percy. In this story you learn how much Percy loves Marguerite and how he doesn't want to leave her. Marguerite helps in the wedding plans. This is one of the best sequels to the Scarlet Pimpernel! Tony really trusts Percy implicitly with everthing he has.

Average customer rating:

The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel
Baroness Emmuska Orczy
Manufacturer: Echo Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

Action & Adventure | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Mystery & Thriller Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

General | Mystery & Thrillers | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

I Will Repay
The Elusive Pimpernel (Dover Value Editions)
El Dorado: Further Adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel (Dover Books on Literature & Drama)
Mam'zelle Guillotine
Sir Percy Leads the Band (The Scarlet Pimpernel Series)

ASIN: 1406835870

The Elusive Pimpernel (Scarlet Pimpernel)

Average customer rating:

THE ELUSIVE PIMPERNEL
"They seek him here, they seek him there, that demmed elusive pimpernel!"
Fairly good sequel...
The Scarlet Pimpernel does it again!
can't catch me, I'm the Scarlet Pimpernel

The Elusive Pimpernel (Scarlet Pimpernel)
Emmuska Orczy, Baroness Orczy
Manufacturer: House of Stratus
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Action & Adventure | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Mystery & Thriller Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

I Will Repay
El Dorado: Further Adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel (Dover Books on Literature & Drama)
Sir Percy Hits Back
The Triumph of the Scarlet Pimpernel
Sir Percy Leads the Band (The Scarlet Pimpernel Series)

ASIN: 0755111133

Book Description

It was a mere flash! One of memory's swiftly effaced pictures, when she shows us for the fraction of a second indelible pictures from out our past. Chauvelin, in that same second, while his own eyes were closed and Robespierre's fixed upon him, also saw the lonely cliffs of Calais, heard the same voice singing "God save the King!" the volley of musketry, the despairing cries of Marguerite Blakeney; and once again he felt the keen and bitter pang of complete humiliation and defeat.

Download Description

On! ever on! in that wild, surging torrent; sowing the wind of anarchy, of terrorism, of lust of blood and hate, and reaping a hurricane of destruction and of horror.

Customer Reviews:

THE ELUSIVE PIMPERNEL.......2006-09-02

The Elusive Pimpernel follows closely on the heals of the first book of the series, The Scarlet Pimpernel. It seems to me that Baroness Orczy was pouring out her own heart feelings through that of Lady Blackney. Her excellent use of discription makes your own heart ache till near bursting with devotion, love, passion and even fear. There is never a dull moment in this wonderfully wriiten book. I love it and will read it over and over.

"They seek him here, they seek him there, that demmed elusive pimpernel!".......2006-05-10

THE ELUSIVE PIMPERNEL, the third book in the Pimpernel series by Baroness Orczy, thoroughly establishes the predominant feature that the reader has come to expect in Orczy's novels: faultless cunning and adventurous bravado by the heroic Pimpernel that never fails to foil the nefarious schemes of his enemies, the revolutionaries of Robespierre's 18th century French Republic.

The reader also knows to expect a bit of archaic word usage, such as "lanthorn" for "lantern," as well as a little French slang here and there that will not succumb to most translating dictionaries, such as "calotin," which, by virtue of the context, I take to be a derogatory term for a churchman. Orczy also throws a few quite good but somewhat uncommon terms into her prose, such as "Columbine," a stock character from Italian drama. Merely because I generally feel rather cheated if I miss the full implication of an author's words, I found it comforting to have one of my English dictionaries as well as my French translating dictionary near at hand while reading Orczy, although it is quite possible to enjoy the plot without recourse to such references, especially if one is adept at grasping the general meaning of unusual words from their context in the story.

As in her other novels, Orczy's characters are stereotypes and are "flat"; that is, they remain the same throughout the story and do not undergo any particular development or change. Sir Percy Blakeney remains the stalwart, unshakable and indestructible adventurer throughout. His arch enemy, Monsieur Chauvelin, begins and ends as a dark, despicable creature who constantly connives to bring down Sir Percy. Lady Marguerite Blakeney plays the part of every significant female figure in Orczy's novels: She means well ands her motivations are impeccable, but her "feminine weakness," the fatal flaw that she suffers merely because of her sex, leads her into unwittingly betraying her husband and placing them both in such jeopardy that nothing short of the audacity and swashbuckling daring of the Scarlet Pimpernel can possibly save them.

As stereotyped characters, the actors who populate Orczy's novel are all somewhat larger than life. Sir Percy is invariably heroic and gently but firmly conquering. Lady Blakeney is invariably the pure, honorable but weak woman. Chauvelin and other leaders of the French revolution are invariably terrorists and anarchists. Abbe Foucquet is invariably the naive old priest who constantly murmurs his Paters and Aves in good times and bad. The attraction of Orczy's novels lies firmly in their suspenseful plots, not in the roundedness or the development of their characters.

Thinking of her depiction of the old priest as well as some descriptions in the preceding novel, I WILL REPAY, I find Orczy's attitude toward religion to be interesting. On the one hand, she depicts churchmen as naive and guileless innocents, rather useless and, at best, irrelevant in the worldly struggle that surrounds them. On the other hand, she portrays the revolutionaries in the harshest of lights and sarcastically observes that they have replaced the good God (le bon dieu) with the "Goddess of Reason," who, in being represented by an incompetent actress during her inaugural procession, is shown to be false. Hence, we find criticism both of those who would nay-say the existence of God and of those who would guide the devotions of his followers.

While it is not absolutely necessary to have read the two preceding novels in order to enjoy THE ELUSIVE PIMPERNEL, the earlier works do establish the background for certain relationships, and a few events in them do receive occasional references in this novel. One's understanding of the third book in the series will certainly be enhanced by an acquaintance with the earlier books. On a final note, which I do hope piques my readers' curiosities, if one is not aware of the differences between the songs "Ca Ira" and "La Marseillaise," a brief Internet search will bring up the historical backgrounds, words and tunes of the two, enabling one to appreciate much more fully Orczy's references to them.

In brief, THE ELUSIVE PIMPERNEL continues its author's romp through the adventurous fields of a France racked by revolution and invaded by "that demmed elusive pimpernel." It's lightweight reading that mixes fun and relaxation in equal amounts. If we can think of some books on serious scientific or social topics as "classroom reading," then the Pimpernel books are our "recess reading" and should be enjoyed as such.

Fairly good sequel..........2002-11-02

"Elusive" isn't my favorite Pimpernel sequel, but it's not bad at all either.

First, the bad: While I can understand that Marguerite is a woman in love, some of her stupidity at the beginning bordered on unbelievable (I don't mean this as an offense to Margot, who is one of my favorite characters, but if you read this book, you'll understand what I mean when I say she makes a bad decision). As usual, Percy becomes a secondary character in his own books, and that bothers me. Lastly, the choice Chauvelin gives Marguerite and Percy gets to be a little too much.

The good:
When Percy is around, he really shines. He has some really great moments in this book (which I won't spoil). The reader gets an idea of some of the emotions that are going on behind the facade. Also, "Elusive" has much more of a climax than some of the other Pimpernel books, which is a nice relief. Lastly, Desiree Candeille is an interesting character.

In all, I would recommend Eldorado between Elusive Pimpernel, but it's still a good read anyway.

The Scarlet Pimpernel does it again!.......2002-03-19

What a great book! It's a worthy follow-up to the original, with plenty of excitement, loads of humor, world-class table-turning and narrow escapes.

can't catch me, I'm the Scarlet Pimpernel.......2001-12-06

I had almost forgotten what my language could do - there are exquisite English words on each and every page (sometimes 2 or 3 on the same page!). Of course, it's that kind of romantic Sherlock Holmes kind of novel that modern people don't like to read, because they've forgotten the French Revolution; but, if you're not too proud to read Daphne DuMaurier, jump into this one. I must also add that I like the Microsoft reader - really has a rich, book-reminiscient look-and-feel.

Average customer rating:

The Baroness' favorite book...

By the Gods Beloved
Emmuska Orczy, Baroness Orczy
Manufacturer: House of Stratus
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Mystery & Thriller Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

General | Mystery & Thrillers | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0755111230

Customer Reviews:

The Baroness' favorite book..........2005-09-13

In the tradition of Rider Haggard's She, By The God's Beloved was the Baroness' favorite book. So whatever happened to the original Egyptians? Sure you think you know, conquered by Alexander the Great, beaten by the Romans, assimilated... disappeared.... Well no, seems abunch oif them are rumoured to be living in a secret canyon somewhere in the Lybian desert. Armed with an ancient papyrus two friends Mark and Hugh set off to find them. Their journey involves incredible adventures, strange sights, a beautiful princess and great dangers. Fortunately they have a card to play, timing is everything...

Sir Percy Leads the Band (The Scarlet Pimpernel Series)

Average customer rating:

The Epic Continues
Super Good

Sir Percy Leads the Band (The Scarlet Pimpernel Series)
Emmuska Orczy, Baroness Orczy
Manufacturer: Buccaneer Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

I Will Repay
The Elusive Pimpernel (Dover Value Editions)
Mam'zelle Guillotine
Sir Percy Hits Back
The Triumph of the Scarlet Pimpernel

ASIN: 1568497377

Customer Reviews:

The Epic Continues.......2006-11-09

What a great novel! Yes, I have heard criticism that there is less of Marguerite in this book than its predecessor, and that is true. However, I think the story is every bit as good as the original (even without Mrs. Blakeny). I also loved the 2 meanings of the title (and yes, I admit I read it one way until partway through the book, and then the second way dawned on me).
Anyone who loved "The Scarlet Pimpernel" will like this book as well!

Super Good.......2003-06-19

I really adored this book! It's the second one I've read in the Pimpernel series and I finished it in record time. It was so incredibly true to the spirit of The Scarlet Pimpernel. My only complaint would be - no Marguerite. She was very much a background character in this book, only mentioned, but never actually appearing. However, I would still recommend this to any Pimpernel fan!

Authors:

Authors

Authors