Reviews

The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy

Only show reviews with written explanations

kbhayford's review

4.0

I love historical fiction and this book absolutely nailed it. The concept was great. And I loved that even though the technical "hero" was the scarlet pimpernel the main protagonist was Marguerite. It started off slow maybe the first four chapters but after the plot started to pick up I couldn't put it down.

hallobud12343's review

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

d_night's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

This was a fun and playful book. Its starts out a bit slow, but if you get past the first chapter (or maybe even first two chapters) it is quite good.

Without wanting to really give anything away there is a bit of a derogatory depiction of Jews at one point however, it is important not to forget what was in the past lest we repeat it.

All in all the story was quite good and I would recommend it to anyone who would like to read a small historical work of fiction.

maryjf23's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

foraging_pages's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

The Scarlet Pimpernel is one of those books I’ve always heard of but never sought out. I even had an older cousin once exclaim “you’ve never read The Scarlet Pimpernel?!” And I was like no…why would I have? But now that I know it’s a compelling and adventurous look at the French Revolution through French and English eyes, I understand.

The story is told (or at least begins) through duality. We have the French “frontlines” if you will of captains and guards of the Republic of France trying to catch fleeing aristocrats and sentence them to death by guillotine. We also have the English “interiors” showing how the regular working class and aristocracy sympathizers move within inns, opera houses, and manors.

Most encourage a republic for France but they find fault in the way the French republicans are going about it. Keeping the cities on lockdown, denying fair trials when most are innocent, and killing whole families simply for their aristocratic status. Enter the Scarlet Pimpernel as a secret agent of espionage and rescue. Everyone in the English court adores him and no one is more prominent within the English court than Marguerite Blakeney.

As a French actress who recently married and moved to England, she is admired by the English people for her connections yet despised by the rescued French aristocrats who blame her for putting into motion the reign of terror. They’re all too happy to be saved by the Scarlet Pimpernel and co., but they won’t bow down to the woman who plays both sides. Marguerite enjoys a pivotal role while trying to save her brother from the guillotine.

This novel, like any good classic, begs many questions and opens much discourse. Do the English wish to help the French aristocracy from the bloody, vile republican rebels because they do not wish to have a rebellion of their own and would like its citizens to feel indebted and less likely to go against the monarchy? Who does the Scarlet Pimpernel work for, if anyone? Does he truly wish to preserve life and prevent murder like any moral being would? Who does one save? The life of one beloved or the lives of hundreds of innocents?

The last third of the book turned out to be quite adventurous and fun. I enjoyed the dangerous rescue along the French coast! I also ended up loving Marguerite and her husband Percy Blakenley as protagonists. They make quite the dynamic duo.