dmturner's review against another edition
2.0
It hasn’t worn well
So many of the books I read and reread as a child have proved flawed, and The Scarlet Pimpernel is no exception. I am no longer entranced by aristocracy, oblivious to anti-Semitism, indifferent to misogyny, or ignorant of history, alas. I probably should not have tried to read one of my old favorite romantic adventures. But I did make it through the whole thing.
So many of the books I read and reread as a child have proved flawed, and The Scarlet Pimpernel is no exception. I am no longer entranced by aristocracy, oblivious to anti-Semitism, indifferent to misogyny, or ignorant of history, alas. I probably should not have tried to read one of my old favorite romantic adventures. But I did make it through the whole thing.
stolencapybara's review against another edition
3.0
Perhaps this book is too silly to award three stars too. After all, I only gave Hemingway two, and he certainly wrote better, though not nearly such fun fiction. I will say this only: Lois Lane has nothing on Marguerite. Zooks.
glassmd's review against another edition
5.0
This novel grabbed my attention from the beginning and I read it in about a day. I love the intricacies (that, I must admit, I did see coming!) Nevertheless, the story was compelling and fun!
melody_b's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
_marigrd_'s review against another edition
3.0
Volevo leggere questo romanzo da quando ero bambina e mi pento di non averlo fatto allora: l’avrei apprezzato molto di più per la trama e lo sviluppo degli eventi. Adesso l’impressione che ho avuto è stata quella di una trama molto banale, personaggi poco caratterizzati e troppa poca complessità nei temi. Mi aspettavo che ci fosse una qualche riflessione intorno alla rivoluzione o sulla cospirazione ma niente. Mi aspettavo una vicenda di spionaggio internazionale di fine settecento con carrozze che corrono veloci e balli in maschera ma l’autrice ha volato basso. Avrei preferito che osasse di più, anche con i personaggi, perché vedere “la donna più intelligente d’Europa” non capire chi fosse la Primula Rossa è stato un pochino estenuante.
A fine lettura mi viene da pensare che questo senso di “copione già visto” derivi dal fatto che ai tempi magari ha aperto un sottogenere di emulatori, magari anche più riusciti, ma mi mancano le basi per approfondire questo discorso. Il meccanismo del travestimento e dell’agnizione finale in realtà si conoscono già da ben prima di Plauto ma penso che questo romanzo possa aver avuto la propria impronta per prodotti come “V come vendetta” o per “Superman”, che ci fa credere che basti un paio di occhiali e tanto autoconvincimento per nascondere la nostra seconda identità dalla società.
A fine lettura mi viene da pensare che questo senso di “copione già visto” derivi dal fatto che ai tempi magari ha aperto un sottogenere di emulatori, magari anche più riusciti, ma mi mancano le basi per approfondire questo discorso. Il meccanismo del travestimento e dell’agnizione finale in realtà si conoscono già da ben prima di Plauto ma penso che questo romanzo possa aver avuto la propria impronta per prodotti come “V come vendetta” o per “Superman”, che ci fa credere che basti un paio di occhiali e tanto autoconvincimento per nascondere la nostra seconda identità dalla società.
kenchingfox's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
sarahjolioli's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
6/2022 re-read: I love this book so much that I have maybe unfollowed people on here who have given it less than 4 stars.
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4/2019 re-read: This book is an absolute delight. I could read this multiple times a year and never get tired of it.
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This book is occasionally silly, but it's also just SO GOOD. And it's sometimes hard to recommend because the title just sounds weird, but DON'T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS TITLE because this book is just so demmed good.
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4/2019 re-read: This book is an absolute delight. I could read this multiple times a year and never get tired of it.
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This book is occasionally silly, but it's also just SO GOOD. And it's sometimes hard to recommend because the title just sounds weird, but DON'T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS TITLE because this book is just so demmed good.
jenmkin's review against another edition
3.0
Do I think this book is exceptional? No. Is the song "Madame Guillotine" from the musical incredible? Yes. Do I think Baroness Orczy is an icon for inventing the masked hero? Absolutely.
mary_r_m's review against another edition
4.0
Book Club read. I grew up watching the Jane Seymore movie and later fell in love with the musical, but I had never read the book before. I listened to this after downloading it from Project Gutenberg.
It was very fun and witty. I will listen to this again with my children.
It was very fun and witty. I will listen to this again with my children.
mjsteimle's review against another edition
1.0
One of the few instances in which the movie is better than the book. The characters seem so simplistic and one-dimensional compared to the nuanced portrayal by Jane Seymour and Anthony Andrews.