The Scarlet Pimpernel - Baroness Orczy

Published by Printer Industria Gráfica: Barcelona, Spain.
First published by Hodder & Stoughton in 1913.

This classic adventure is set in the era of Revolutionary France. The titular Scarlet Pimpernel is the code-name for a mysterious Englishman who leads a group of young English aristocrats to risk their lives rescuing the aristocracy of France from the guillotine. As the story gets underway, Marguerite Blakeney, the French-born wife of the dim-witted but jovial Englishman Sir Percy Blakeney, finds herself blackmailed by the villain of the piece, the 'accredited agent' for France, Chauvelin. In order to spare the life of Marguerite's brother, Armand St Just, Marguerite must work for Chauvelin to help him discover the Scarlet Pimpernel's secret identity. Only if Chauvelin is able to learn this information will he surrender to Marguerite the letter that incriminates her brother in the Scarlet Pimpernel's schemes. 

Marguerite is an interesting character. Being a slightly older book, Marguerite is a little bit of a damsel in distress, reacting to the scheming and machinations of the men around her more than taking her own initative. However, she is also a quick-witted and brave woman, able to use her charm to help in her quest to find the Pimpernel's identity, as well as putting in place a plan to save the Pimpernel's life once she has thought better of her bargain. In a modern book, Marguerite would likely be the one to save the day. In The Scarlet Pimpernel, Marguerite is able to help to save the day, but is not quite as independent as a modern female protagonist would be able to be.

This is a fun story; some action, some mystery, some romance. A little old-fashioned in patches (as mentioned already) but decent enough that it spawned a number of sequels, and interesting enough that Elise and I have already started reading the next book in the set.

One other random story: The Scarlet Pimpernel has had various movie and television adaptations made. On finishing the book Elise and I looked up the trailers for some of these. The first shot in each trailer - even the black and white ones - was of a guillotine dropping. I guess its the easiest way to set the time period. 

Completed, with Elise, 30 June 2022.



(Elise Books)

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