blakeisgreene's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
everwilll3's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dlberglund's review against another edition
4.0
Quite delightful, full of adventure and intrigue. A bit repetitive (almost as if it had been published as a serial, and she had to remind us of the current situation every once in a while) but otherwise a great read. Knowing a bit of le francais helps with fluent reading, but I wouldn't say that the French words would impede your understanding if you don't know them.
It is interesting to reflect on the noble heart of the man who would risk his life to smuggle aristocrats out of France and away from the guillotine. I'm used to rooting for the revolutionaries in the French Revolution, so saving the poor downtrodden aristocrats is an interesting twist. (Did they learn anything from the experience? The evidence in this novel had les aristos picking up where they left off, entering high society in England and not seeming to show any more care for the peasants than they did in France...but that is not integral to Orczy's thesis. )
Worth the read.
It is interesting to reflect on the noble heart of the man who would risk his life to smuggle aristocrats out of France and away from the guillotine. I'm used to rooting for the revolutionaries in the French Revolution, so saving the poor downtrodden aristocrats is an interesting twist. (Did they learn anything from the experience? The evidence in this novel had les aristos picking up where they left off, entering high society in England and not seeming to show any more care for the peasants than they did in France...but that is not integral to Orczy's thesis. )
Worth the read.
maxnic's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
sapphicsoilscientist's review against another edition
It was okay, but the style and wit happening at the very start didn’t carry into the whole thing.
godessofthevoid's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
bthomasmusic's review against another edition
5.0
Really 4.5 because of the issue at the end (see below)
I can't believe it took me this long to finally read the original secret identity hero book! It was far more engaging than I expected - I actually thought it was written much earlier than 1905, because it is set in 1792. My mistake!
I very much enjoyed the main character Marguerite Blakeney, and the way she slowly uncovered the truth about her husband and put herself into peril to try to save him. Extremely good stuff here for those who love established relationship stories.
Warning: There is some distressing anti-Semitism near the end.
I can't believe it took me this long to finally read the original secret identity hero book! It was far more engaging than I expected - I actually thought it was written much earlier than 1905, because it is set in 1792. My mistake!
I very much enjoyed the main character Marguerite Blakeney, and the way she slowly uncovered the truth about her husband and put herself into peril to try to save him. Extremely good stuff here for those who love established relationship stories.
Warning: There is some distressing anti-Semitism near the end.
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.