A swashbuckling adventure story that reveals for the first time how Diego de la Vega became the masked man we all know so well
Born in southe... read full description
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Jan 22, 2012
Suzie
rated it: 
I have been "reading" this book for almost a year and I'm still only halfway through it so the likelihood that I'm going to finish it are diminishing by the moment.
I love the idea of this book. The story of Zorro from his childhood? Wow, what's not to like? Except the story is "told" rather than "shown." There are paragraphs that take up full pages (in a *trade* paperback no less) and pages and pages between bits of dialog. This is ungodly slow reading. More...
I love the idea of this book. The story of Zorro from his childhood? Wow, what's not to like? Except the story is "told" rather than "shown." There are paragraphs that take up full pages (in a *trade* paperback no less) and pages and pages between bits of dialog. This is ungodly slow reading. More...
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Mar 12, 2009
Chandra
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Along with Ines of My Soul this is another departure for Allende. In this one she gives us a biography of the fictional pulp hero Zorro (aka Diego de la Vega). Most of the novel focuses on the childhood of Diego and his 'milk brother' and companion Bernardo. This was by far the most satisfying part of the novel. I felt like it lost a little steam after this and lacked the lyrical quality of her other novels, but overall was still an enjoyable read.
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Jan 01, 2009
Laura
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I LOVED this book. Granted, I think Isabel Allende is one of the best authors I have ever read but despite my bias this was still a really good book! I love the story of Zorro to begin with but Isabel Allende writes it from the point when Zorro's parents meet and then how he is born and becomes Zorro. It is great historical fiction and I have always liked how Allende uses magic realism in her writing. The book gives insight into the California Mission system, as well as interesting information a
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Nov 22, 2010
Badly Drawn Girl
rated it:
It's unfortunate that I read this book immediately after finishing Daughter of Fortune. I could hardly believe they were written by the same author. But that doesn't mean Zorro is a bad book... it's just that Daughter of Fortune is so incredibly well written that most everything else pales in comparison. So I have to look at Zorro separately from Isabel Allende's body of work. I know that she was hesitant to write this story, it was not her idea and I think that's the main reason is seems to
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Sep 12, 2008
Jessica
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I found this an interesting and entertaining book, though not necessarily a good one.
Is it possible to Mary Sue a male character? What would that be called? Because, yeah, we all know Zorro has to kick all sorts of figurative and literal ass, but apparently his only flaw is that his ears stick out, being the real reason for wearing the mask.
Allende's book is not so much a typical Zorro adventure, such as we are used to seeing in movies and on television. It's really more More...
Is it possible to Mary Sue a male character? What would that be called? Because, yeah, we all know Zorro has to kick all sorts of figurative and literal ass, but apparently his only flaw is that his ears stick out, being the real reason for wearing the mask.
Allende's book is not so much a typical Zorro adventure, such as we are used to seeing in movies and on television. It's really more More...
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Nov 14, 2007
Brian
rated it:
This is a tough review to write. Why? Because this was the first book I've read this year that I was disappointed with.
Zorro is written by Isabel Allende, who is apparently a successful writer from Latin America. But frankly, I just don't think this was all that good. I expected more of a swashbuckling, action-packed story. Instead, the story focuses a lot on Diego de la Vega, whose alter-ego is Zorro, growing up in California and Spain. Zorro doesn't make his first appearance until s More...
Zorro is written by Isabel Allende, who is apparently a successful writer from Latin America. But frankly, I just don't think this was all that good. I expected more of a swashbuckling, action-packed story. Instead, the story focuses a lot on Diego de la Vega, whose alter-ego is Zorro, growing up in California and Spain. Zorro doesn't make his first appearance until s More...
Jun 01, 2011
Jeanette
rated it: 
"Heroism is a badly remunerated occupation, and often it leads to an early end, which is why it appeals to fanatics or persons with an unhealthy fascination with death."
I found the early part of this book decidedly more fascinating than the last half or so. As I recall, the book sort of lost its way as it progressed, whereas the beginning was riveting. But as a whole it's another excellent piece of Isabel Allende's fiction. It was particularly interesting to me to read abou More...
I found the early part of this book decidedly more fascinating than the last half or so. As I recall, the book sort of lost its way as it progressed, whereas the beginning was riveting. But as a whole it's another excellent piece of Isabel Allende's fiction. It was particularly interesting to me to read abou More...
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Jun 11, 2008
Janet
rated it:
Tapes, it is a 3 1/2. It is engaging and full of action. I loved the childhood story of Zorro. While a bit fanciful, that is how childhood should be. My main problem was when he was older, the romances were not plausible. I found myself wincing at the relationships Allende related. Great story, fun read, a little bit of everything. I enjoyed most of it quite a lot. Happier with the first 3/4 of the book than I was with the last 1/4.
Born Diego de la Vega in Spanish Colonial Californi More...
Born Diego de la Vega in Spanish Colonial Californi More...
Feb 05, 2009
The fictional Zorro debuted in Johnston McCulley's serialized potboiler in 1919; since then, he's made some dramatic comebacks. By recasting this swashbuckling hero in the context of his personal history, Allende follows in the path of her recent historical fiction like Daughter of Fortune (1999) and Portrait in Sepia (2001). Critics agree that while Zorro is light and entertaining, it is also a serious piece of literature__even if some reviewers were confounded by Allende's mix of history and r
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Feb 11, 2012
Jenny
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This book, which tells the story of Zorro’s early life, is great fun. We learn that his mother was a
First Nations warrior, the head of a band dedicated to driving the colonists out of California. Zorro’s father was a Spanish military man, defending the mission of Father Mendoza. He captures the warrior chief – who turns out to be a woman – and then, as he’s nursing her back to health, falls in love with her and marries her. During the same week that their son Diego is born, an Indian s More...
First Nations warrior, the head of a band dedicated to driving the colonists out of California. Zorro’s father was a Spanish military man, defending the mission of Father Mendoza. He captures the warrior chief – who turns out to be a woman – and then, as he’s nursing her back to health, falls in love with her and marries her. During the same week that their son Diego is born, an Indian s More...
Feb 08, 2012
Ivana
rated it:
The idea behind the book is great- shading some light on an fascinating fictional hero. In some ways it does adds some dept to Zorro, but mainly by filling in information and feeling around him, not really developing the Zorro himself. Basically, it's a good novel, but it has its flaws.
The main problem I had with this book was the protagonist. As I said, I don't think he was portrayed that well, he remained a bit one dimensional. For me, the whole concept of his mixed origin was ext More...
The main problem I had with this book was the protagonist. As I said, I don't think he was portrayed that well, he remained a bit one dimensional. For me, the whole concept of his mixed origin was ext More...
Jan 28, 2012
Roger
rated it:
Isabel Allende’s novel Zorro creates breathtaking and engrossing scenes, and her characters have splendid qualities of genuine emotion and nuance. She masterfully develops Zorro’s disciplined mental capacity and his physically-gifted attributes. She shows how he gained the mindset and skills to embody a legendary man of justice. Before becoming Zorro, Diego de la Vega witnesses the massacre and continued persecution of the Native tribes of California. While visiting Barcelona, he sees the injust
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Aug 28, 2010
Robert
rated it:
Normally I really enjoy Allende, but I have to admit I was a bit disappointed by this one.
I think there are a lot of authors who are really good at writing characters of their own gender, but not as good at writing characters of another gender. I hadn't thought of it before, but I think the novels I've enjoyed by Allende have been rich and wonderful in their female characters, and the male characters have generally been pretty shallow, often 2-dimensional, and usually away from the More...
I think there are a lot of authors who are really good at writing characters of their own gender, but not as good at writing characters of another gender. I hadn't thought of it before, but I think the novels I've enjoyed by Allende have been rich and wonderful in their female characters, and the male characters have generally been pretty shallow, often 2-dimensional, and usually away from the More...
Jul 23, 2009
TBML
rated it:
This was the Branigan BookClub selection for November 2005.
Reading ZORRO confirms Allende's well deserved reputation as a brilliant, passionate story teller. She takes the legend of the masked man and fleshes it out into a fullblown historical novel with a depth and sweeping panorama fully the equal of the greatest epics of world literature. This is the work of an unquestioned master of story telling at the top of her form. There is not one false note, not one flawed plot line in the More...
Reading ZORRO confirms Allende's well deserved reputation as a brilliant, passionate story teller. She takes the legend of the masked man and fleshes it out into a fullblown historical novel with a depth and sweeping panorama fully the equal of the greatest epics of world literature. This is the work of an unquestioned master of story telling at the top of her form. There is not one false note, not one flawed plot line in the More...
Jun 27, 2009
Wendy
rated it:
I was looking for a clever retelling of this fictional American homegrown hero, something with an interesting feminine twist. What I got was indeed a retelling, but not as clever or interesting as I had hoped.
This is a "tale of origin" explaining how Zorro became the masked avenger. He is born Diego de la Vega, son of a Spanish hidalgo and a fierce Shoshone she-warrior. Apparently, the author took great pains to research this book. Kudos. Despite all the research, there see More...
This is a "tale of origin" explaining how Zorro became the masked avenger. He is born Diego de la Vega, son of a Spanish hidalgo and a fierce Shoshone she-warrior. Apparently, the author took great pains to research this book. Kudos. Despite all the research, there see More...
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May 22, 2009
Jennifer
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Nov 28, 2010
Bridget
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When I saw the words "Zorro" plus "Isabel Allende," I got really excited. Too excited, as it turns out. The book ended up being only mediocre. I thought the writing and story (as she presented it) were uneven and murky. There were times when I didn't know who to root for, or if the heroine was worth falling in love with. I kept wondering when he would get back to California already and let the story really begin.
So I think my problem was that I was expecting a diffe More...
So I think my problem was that I was expecting a diffe More...
Aug 25, 2010
Chris
rated it:
What is it about Zorro? Back when the Disney channel was watchable by people over age 16, they showed the Guy Williams Zorro, the ones in black and white. The show is far older than I am, but it's still cool. There was also the Zorro series on the Family Channel (what is now ABC Family). That series was good, far better than the Black Stallion series on the same channel. And who can forget Antonio and Catherine?
Zorro is the American version of Robin Hood. He works in California More...
Zorro is the American version of Robin Hood. He works in California More...
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Oct 24, 2010
Attahabib
rated it:
Zorro, a novel by Isabel Allende, narrates the story of the blossoming Diego de la Vega, before ripening into the notorious hero who is renowned everywhere. However, the author has incidentally belittled him into nothing more than a cliché. Zorro has become as unequivocal as Batman or Robin Hood. Regrettably.
The plot is as repetitious and monotonous. Diego is born to an affluent family, where his father is a Spanish captain, and his mother, an Indian. He decides to dedicate More...
The plot is as repetitious and monotonous. Diego is born to an affluent family, where his father is a Spanish captain, and his mother, an Indian. He decides to dedicate More...
Mar 29, 2010
Monica
rated it: 
I love Zorro. I used to sneak downstairs to watch the Disney TV series at midnight with my dad; we'd keep the volume low so we wouldn't wake mom and did our best to record at least half the series on tape so we could re-watch the same episodes on the weekends, this time with her approval. Now I'm a little bit older and little more nostalgic, so when I randomly picked up Allende's book in a used bookstore (in another country, no less!) I got so excited, I bought it on the spot. It was supposed to
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Oct 06, 2009
Erika
rated it:
Diego de la Vega leads two very different lives: the aristocratic son of Alejandro de la Vega with an affected air of delicacy who is a bit of a hypochondriac; and the silken, masked heroic crusader of justice, Zorro. Raised near the San Gabriel mission in the late 18th Century, Diego witnessed the scale of mistreatment natives experienced at the hands of Spanish settlers. Acutely aware of his father’s ignorantly complicit role in this, despite allowing an Indian boy (Bernardo) to be raised in
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Dec 13, 2008
Benito
rated it:
I originally picked up this tome, an unread present on my amorosa's bookshelf, one rainy day while feeling a little hay-feverish. However I soon became addicted to this passionate Latin romance peppered with self-consciously over-the top episodes of swashbuckling gallantry, be they Zorro (Spanish for Fox, his Indian totem animal) fighting and then befriending Caribbean pirates and Spanish Gypsies, or rescuing Indians and revolutionaries as a young member of a secret society originally formed to
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Feb 09, 2012
Sandra
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FICTION
English title:
Zorro
We all know the legend of Zorro, the masked hero who saved the citizens of colonial Los Angeles from the cruelty of its Spanish government officials. But, where did Zorro come from? How did he turn into the great hero we still know and love today? The novel, voiced by a narrator who only reveals him/herself at the very end of the story, traces Zorro's life history, from his birth as Diego de la Vega and his Spanish/Indian upbringing to his More...
English title:
Zorro
We all know the legend of Zorro, the masked hero who saved the citizens of colonial Los Angeles from the cruelty of its Spanish government officials. But, where did Zorro come from? How did he turn into the great hero we still know and love today? The novel, voiced by a narrator who only reveals him/herself at the very end of the story, traces Zorro's life history, from his birth as Diego de la Vega and his Spanish/Indian upbringing to his More...
Feb 17, 2011
Dot
rated it:
I very much enjoyed this rollicking adventure, full of swashbuckling, pirates, gypsies, love, honour and duty. Isabel Allende has chosen to tell the story of the Zorro legend by focusing on his early life growing up in Alta California, the 5 years he spent on his eduction in Spain, and the first months of his life on returning to his home. In Spain, the young Diego meets his nemesis, the unscrupulous nobleman who is unable to secure the love of Juliana, the daughter of the fmaily with whom
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May 19, 2010
Synnin
rated it:
This is nothing even related to Zorro we all know - nothing about a brave hot adventurous guy who's a master of cunning, smartness, swords and guns. You'll find no rapid action making you bite your lips in excitement and no passion making your heart beat faster. This book is more like "Zorro. Kindergarten edition", maybe i could have enjoyed it at the age of 12 when we all were playing "cowboys and Indians" game and that's exactly what this book is like. I can't imagine Zorro
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Sep 17, 2010
Marci
rated it:
When Isabel Allende--author of DAUGHTER OF FORTUNE and THE HOUSE OF SPIRITS, to name but a few--was approached to write a novel about the legendary Zorro, she refused at first, thinking it was beneath her literary expertise. After remembering her love for the Douglas Fairbanks movie, THE MARK OF ZORRO, and for the Disney TV series starring Guy Williams, she decided to take on the revisionists task of filling in the blanks about Zorro's life. This is not a book filled with Zorro's escapades, even
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Mar 13, 2009
Sonia
rated it:
I am always enthralled by Isabel Allende’s books but Zorro did not have the same effect on me.
It is the story of Diego de la Vega who turns into the legendary figure Zorro. The story is a romantic tale of the swashbuckling adventures of Zorro, with Indians, gypsies, pirates, his love for Juliana, rescues from dungeons and vendetta with his rival Rafael Moncada thrown in. Nothing that stands out in the true Isabel Allende style.
The saddest and most horrifying part however, is how the More...
It is the story of Diego de la Vega who turns into the legendary figure Zorro. The story is a romantic tale of the swashbuckling adventures of Zorro, with Indians, gypsies, pirates, his love for Juliana, rescues from dungeons and vendetta with his rival Rafael Moncada thrown in. Nothing that stands out in the true Isabel Allende style.
The saddest and most horrifying part however, is how the More...
Aug 28, 2010
Hobart
rated it:
It takes a certain kind of skill to write a boring book about a character like Zorro, and apparently, Isabel Allende possesses such. It also takes a certain brashness to pronounce your protagonist as "fun" in the first paragraph--and several times following that--and then fail to produce any real evidence of it.
I was excited about the prospect of this book--a great pulp hero like Zorro in the hands of someone with Allende's lit cred? It'd have to be great, right?
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I was excited about the prospect of this book--a great pulp hero like Zorro in the hands of someone with Allende's lit cred? It'd have to be great, right?
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Sep 11, 2009
Sandybanks
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I feel rather underwhelmed by this book, my first by Allende. This is a story about the making of Zorro, and it has all the incidents that we might expect in such an account. Shoshone shaman grandmother who concocts magic potions; mute Indian sidekick/ milk-brother; Barcelona fencing master who is also the head of a secret society; lovely but fickle love interest; evil, sneering antagonist; fat Sergeant Garcia; gypsies; and even pirates. Everything that should make this a fun, swashbuckling ride
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Oct 06, 2011
Lisbeth
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This books is surprisingly good!, even though you expect to read the exact same story as the movie with Antonio Banderas but you end up with something completely different but good. The storyline keeps you gripping the book with a fast narration that surprises you every time. And it traps you inside the world of California in the 1800's. You accompany the main character to Spain during the reign of Jose de Bonaparte (the brother of Napoleon Bonaparte) while many countries struggle for their inde
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