Book Cover
BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
Orzcy, E. (1905). The scarlet pimpernel. United Kingdom: Minvera.
PAGES/AUDIO BOOK TIME
277/8 hours
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ANNOTATION
The scarlet pimpernel is a master in disguise, but has he met his match?
Marguerite is a native of France and while at an inn her brother, Armand, comes to visit her to tell her he is headed back to France to serve his country. This is also where she meets Chauvelin who is a French officer who is set on hunting down .He asks Maguerite to help him hunt down the scarlet pimpernel who they have deduced is a British man. She refuses to help him and says she thinks the scarlet pimpernel to be a brave man.
Later, while at the opera, Chauvelin tells Marguerite that Armand is in danger of execution, but promises that if she helps him find the scarlet pimpernel her brother, Armand, will come to no harm. She agrees to help him. At the ball Marguerite discovers that the scarlet pimpernel plans to meet with some of his co-conspirators in the dining room at 1 o'clock. Chauvelin enters the dining room at 1 o'clock but only finds Percy Blakeney sleeping there. He waits but the scarlet pimpernel never appears. He tells Marguerite this and tells her that Armand's life is in danger unless she helps him find the scarlet pimpernel.
Percy and Marguerite return home from the ball. They two hardly speak anymore after Percy found out that Marguerite had a hand in the arrest and execution of the Marquis de Cyr even though she was tricked and manipulated into testifying against him. Percy sees this as a betrayal especially since she kept it a secret from him. She confides in Percy about the danger her brother is in. He seems unconcerned, but after dismissing her to bed he immediately rides off to save him. Later in the day Marguerite enters Percy's office where she discovers a ring with the scarlet pimpernel insignia on it. It is then she realizes that her husband is the scarlet pimpernel, and she has betrayed him to Chauvelin, the French officer.
Marguerite immediately sets off for France to warn her husband. She enlists the help of one of her husband's colleagues, Sir Andrew. Together they head for France to save her husband and her brother. They follow Chauvelin to Calais, France. While there Marguerite follows Chauvelin and his men to the place where her Percy is to meet Armand and other men. When she seeds that Chauvinist's men plan to surround the hut and kill them she runs form her hiding place to warn them only to be caught by Chauvelin.
Chauvelin and his men are tricked and the men in the hut escape. What they don't know is that the old Jew they hired to take them to the hut is really Percy. They leave Marguerite and the old Jew behind, but this is their fatal mistake. Percy reveals himself to his wife, openly forgives and confesses his love for her and they head to the boat holding Armand to return to England.
MY REVIEW
SUMMARY *Spoiler Alert*
The book begins in Paris in the heat of the French Revolution at the scene of hundreds being beheaded by the Guillotine. A brief history of the revolution is given and an account of the escape of the aristocrats Comtesse de Tournay and her children helped by the legendary scarlet pimpernel is shared.
Marguerite St. Just, also known as Lady Blakeney is the center of high society in London all of England. She has married Mr. Percy Blakeney, one of the riches men in England. Percy seems to be anything but smart and exciting. No, he is as dull as anyone can be, and Marguerite resents him for it.
Later, while at the opera, Chauvelin tells Marguerite that Armand is in danger of execution, but promises that if she helps him find the scarlet pimpernel her brother, Armand, will come to no harm. She agrees to help him. At the ball Marguerite discovers that the scarlet pimpernel plans to meet with some of his co-conspirators in the dining room at 1 o'clock. Chauvelin enters the dining room at 1 o'clock but only finds Percy Blakeney sleeping there. He waits but the scarlet pimpernel never appears. He tells Marguerite this and tells her that Armand's life is in danger unless she helps him find the scarlet pimpernel.
Percy and Marguerite return home from the ball. They two hardly speak anymore after Percy found out that Marguerite had a hand in the arrest and execution of the Marquis de Cyr even though she was tricked and manipulated into testifying against him. Percy sees this as a betrayal especially since she kept it a secret from him. She confides in Percy about the danger her brother is in. He seems unconcerned, but after dismissing her to bed he immediately rides off to save him. Later in the day Marguerite enters Percy's office where she discovers a ring with the scarlet pimpernel insignia on it. It is then she realizes that her husband is the scarlet pimpernel, and she has betrayed him to Chauvelin, the French officer.
Marguerite immediately sets off for France to warn her husband. She enlists the help of one of her husband's colleagues, Sir Andrew. Together they head for France to save her husband and her brother. They follow Chauvelin to Calais, France. While there Marguerite follows Chauvelin and his men to the place where her Percy is to meet Armand and other men. When she seeds that Chauvinist's men plan to surround the hut and kill them she runs form her hiding place to warn them only to be caught by Chauvelin.
Chauvelin and his men are tricked and the men in the hut escape. What they don't know is that the old Jew they hired to take them to the hut is really Percy. They leave Marguerite and the old Jew behind, but this is their fatal mistake. Percy reveals himself to his wife, openly forgives and confesses his love for her and they head to the boat holding Armand to return to England.
MY REVIEW
The Scarlet Pimpernel is a classical swashbuckling, dare-devil adventure. The story keeps your eyes, or ears in my case as I listened to the audio version, pinned to the page or the headphones. Though the story is somewhat simple it is rich and dripping with the emotional angst of Marguerite. From her love and fear for the life of her brother Armand, to the mourning of the love she believes she has lost forever in her husband, Percy. This story is an adventure from beginning to end with fabulous parties and social events in between. There is something for everyone in this book.
RATING
Quality Rating: Gold
Popularity Rating: Emerald
Quality Rating: Gold
Popularity Rating: Emerald
GENRE & SUB GENRES
Historical Fiction
Adventure
Romance
BOOKTALKING
In this book, heroism is driven by guilt.
The Scarlet Pimpernel cannot win by fighting or violence, instead he uses trickery and craftiness.
Those who believe in the Pimpernel's cause are willing to risk everything for their leader.
The author emphasizes the importance of humility. The prideful characters in this novel are each taught humility.
DISCUSSION POINTS
Is Lady Blakeney a sympathetic character? Why or why not?
Does the Scarlet Pimpernel flower suit Percy's character?
Were you satisfied with the resolution? Why or why not?
Do you think the narrator is neutral? Who does he ally himself with?
What is the Scarlet Pimpernel's goal? Is it admirable?
Adventure
Romance
APPEAL FACTORS
The story is an adventure of heroism, love, and loyalty. It features glamorous high society English life, the slums of human cruelty, and the classic good triumphs over evil story line. It is not a particularly hard read nor hard to understand. it is fun and fast-paced with a strong set of characters to enjoy or hate.
In this book, heroism is driven by guilt.
The Scarlet Pimpernel cannot win by fighting or violence, instead he uses trickery and craftiness.
Those who believe in the Pimpernel's cause are willing to risk everything for their leader.
The author emphasizes the importance of humility. The prideful characters in this novel are each taught humility.
DISCUSSION POINTS
Is Lady Blakeney a sympathetic character? Why or why not?
Does the Scarlet Pimpernel flower suit Percy's character?
Were you satisfied with the resolution? Why or why not?
Do you think the narrator is neutral? Who does he ally himself with?
What is the Scarlet Pimpernel's goal? Is it admirable?
WHY THIS BOOK?
When I had confessed to a friend that I had never heard of The Scarlet Pimpernel they nearly fainted. They demanded I read this book, so I did what any good friend would do; I read the book. Actually, I listened to the audio version, which I rather enjoyed. I don't know much about the French Revolution, and this book has piqued my interest in learning more about it.
THE AUTHOR
REVIEWS
goodreads
Amazon.com
Amazon.com
SIMILAR TITLES/AUTHORS
Scaramouche by Rafael Sabatini
The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery
The Virginian: A Horseman of the Plains by Owen Wister
POINTS TO REMEMBER
- French Revolution
- Marguerite goes to save her spy husband
- Percy Blakeney is a master of disguise
- The dining room and inn dinner scene between Percy Blakeney and Chauvelin
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