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The Ruritania Trilogy #3
Rupert of Hentzau
Rupert of Hentzau is the dark sequel to The Prisoner of Zenda. Full of humor and swashbuckling feats of heroism, the tale is also a satire on the politics of 19th-century Europe.
250 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1898
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About the author
Anthony Hope
217 books251 followersProlific English novelist and playwright Sir Anthony Hope Hawkins especially composed adventure. People remember him best only for the book
The Prisoner of Zenda
(1894) and its sequel
Rupert of Hentzau
(1898). These works, "minor classics" of English literature, set in the contemporaneous fictional country of Ruritania, spawned the genre, known as Ruritanian romance. Zenda inspired many adaptations, most notably the Hollywood movie of 1937 of the same name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
March 22, 2012
2.5 – 3 stars
Rupert of Hentzau is an enjoyable swashbuckler, though I remember The Prisoner of Zenda being better. We rejoin the major players remaining from the first novel three years later when a new crisis threatens the queen’s honour (she’s not very bright, alas) and the dastardly rogue Rupert of Hentzau gets his hands on a letter written by her majesty to her former lover Rudolph Rassendyll. Of course Rudolph must speed to her rescue and once again take up his imposture of the King of Ruritania while that somewhat feckless cuckold is still on the throne and not, this time, safely tucked away in a prison.
There were a few twists in the plot that I didn’t quite expect, though in retrospect I probably should have. As I said, overall an enjoyable romp, but it had a few things I took issue with: 1) most of the convenient elements of the plot that occurred to increase tension were mainly due to the general stupidity of the heroes; I mean, there were times when even *they* knew what they should have done and they didn’t do it anyway. 2) The majority of the characters are pills. The queen, as stated, is really not very bright and her constant swooning over events (and Rudolph) got a little tiresome, I really don’t see why any of the men who were so devoted to her would have wasted their time given her personality. The ostensible narrator, Fritz von Tarlenheim, is almost as stupid, though not quite. Rassendyll, the ostensible hero of the piece, is a cipher, or more correctly an acquisition straight out of central casting for “stiff-necked noble hero”. The only really interesting characters were, obviously, the villain of the piece Rupert of Hentzau, of whom there was far too little in the text even though his name is on the title, and good old pragmatic Colonel Sapt, apparently the only one of the heroes with a working brain in his head and of whom there was just enough.
Alright, all of that sounds so critical that you may be wondering how I could give this anything more than a rating of 2. Well, I am willing to give this one some leeway given the era in which it was written and the fact that it was merely going along with the expectations of the day. Also, it’s a classic in the genre, so that bumps it up a bit too. Add to that the fact that Hope’s prose is well-wrought and the fact that I didn’t see the final twist in the plot until just before it occurred (though I really should have)and I think the rating just about squeaks in at 2.5-3 stars. This was another librivox recording and I was again lucky with the narrator, Andy Minter did a great job of it. All in all a fun swashbuckler.
Rupert of Hentzau is an enjoyable swashbuckler, though I remember The Prisoner of Zenda being better. We rejoin the major players remaining from the first novel three years later when a new crisis threatens the queen’s honour (she’s not very bright, alas) and the dastardly rogue Rupert of Hentzau gets his hands on a letter written by her majesty to her former lover Rudolph Rassendyll. Of course Rudolph must speed to her rescue and once again take up his imposture of the King of Ruritania while that somewhat feckless cuckold is still on the throne and not, this time, safely tucked away in a prison.
There were a few twists in the plot that I didn’t quite expect, though in retrospect I probably should have. As I said, overall an enjoyable romp, but it had a few things I took issue with: 1) most of the convenient elements of the plot that occurred to increase tension were mainly due to the general stupidity of the heroes; I mean, there were times when even *they* knew what they should have done and they didn’t do it anyway. 2) The majority of the characters are pills. The queen, as stated, is really not very bright and her constant swooning over events (and Rudolph) got a little tiresome, I really don’t see why any of the men who were so devoted to her would have wasted their time given her personality. The ostensible narrator, Fritz von Tarlenheim, is almost as stupid, though not quite. Rassendyll, the ostensible hero of the piece, is a cipher, or more correctly an acquisition straight out of central casting for “stiff-necked noble hero”. The only really interesting characters were, obviously, the villain of the piece Rupert of Hentzau, of whom there was far too little in the text even though his name is on the title, and good old pragmatic Colonel Sapt, apparently the only one of the heroes with a working brain in his head and of whom there was just enough.
Alright, all of that sounds so critical that you may be wondering how I could give this anything more than a rating of 2. Well, I am willing to give this one some leeway given the era in which it was written and the fact that it was merely going along with the expectations of the day. Also, it’s a classic in the genre, so that bumps it up a bit too. Add to that the fact that Hope’s prose is well-wrought and the fact that I didn’t see the final twist in the plot until just before it occurred (though I really should have)and I think the rating just about squeaks in at 2.5-3 stars. This was another librivox recording and I was again lucky with the narrator, Andy Minter did a great job of it. All in all a fun swashbuckler.
January 27, 2025
After not really all that much enjoying Anthony Hope's The Prisoner of Zenda, I am just not keen on reading the sequel Rupert of Hentzau with any kind of detail. And indeed, after cursively but in my opinion sufficiently skimming over Rupert of Hentzau I am even more convinced that there is both nothing truly in any manner textually pleasant for me to encounter in Rupert of Hentzau and also that Anthony Hope's story seems rather frustratingly similar to and majorly derivative of The Prisoner of Zenda, with the now Queen Flavia dutifully but unhappily married to King Rudolf V of Ruritania, with Rudolf Rassendyll once more needing to impersonate King Rudolf and with Rupert of Hentzau also and just like in The Prisoner of Zenda appearing as a standard and as such rather boring and lacking nuance stereotypical villain.
But no and furthermore, the rather horrible and unrelenting carnage depicted in Rupert of Hentzau (King Rudolf, Rudolf Rassendyll, Rupert of Hentzau amongst others), this really makes Rupert of Hentzau in fact considerably worse and horrible for and to me than The Prisoner of Zenda and especially so because the author, because Anthony Hope disgustingly and strangely also seems to textually insinuate and imply that that in particular Rudolf Rassendyll's demise is actually and supposedly a positive scenario as it spares Rassendyll feeling guilty if he would need to reign Ruritania as impersonating Rudolf V with Flavia as his wife and queen (honestly, yuck yuck, yuck and with the only mildly redeeming part of Rupert of Hentzau being that Anthony Hope allows the widowed Queen Flavia to govern Ruritania by herself, that Hope does not simply marry or kill Flavia off but that is still not enough for me to consider a higher than one star rating for Rupert of Hentzau).
And I am also not going to recommend Rupert of Hentzau, for in my opinion, even if a reader might have very much enjoyed The Prisoner of Zenda, well, I personally do think that Rupert of Hentzau is both much too similar to The Prisoner of Zenda and also really and truly horribly too dark, too depressing, too death and destruction filled.
But no and furthermore, the rather horrible and unrelenting carnage depicted in Rupert of Hentzau (King Rudolf, Rudolf Rassendyll, Rupert of Hentzau amongst others), this really makes Rupert of Hentzau in fact considerably worse and horrible for and to me than The Prisoner of Zenda and especially so because the author, because Anthony Hope disgustingly and strangely also seems to textually insinuate and imply that that in particular Rudolf Rassendyll's demise is actually and supposedly a positive scenario as it spares Rassendyll feeling guilty if he would need to reign Ruritania as impersonating Rudolf V with Flavia as his wife and queen (honestly, yuck yuck, yuck and with the only mildly redeeming part of Rupert of Hentzau being that Anthony Hope allows the widowed Queen Flavia to govern Ruritania by herself, that Hope does not simply marry or kill Flavia off but that is still not enough for me to consider a higher than one star rating for Rupert of Hentzau).
And I am also not going to recommend Rupert of Hentzau, for in my opinion, even if a reader might have very much enjoyed The Prisoner of Zenda, well, I personally do think that Rupert of Hentzau is both much too similar to The Prisoner of Zenda and also really and truly horribly too dark, too depressing, too death and destruction filled.
December 29, 2025
H’m, if I can allow for my natural affection for adventure, this should be a fine read. But, it feels that in this case it misleads me. Nothing bad to say. I was well entertained, and excitement joined nicely the narrative. Yet I feel I was not chocked with the same passion as it happened with the first book The Prisoner of Zenda. How strange, I feel puzzled and smile doubtfully, which is in fact an annoying thing happening to me 😁
Surely the idea was new, but the event was by no means likely. Hope Hope sees that I am not grossly impertinent on such comment, but it is very likely that foreigners are never to be trusted. Or, simply put, I am passing through a period of great irresolution 😎 Anyway, I haven’t yielded to despair for not being left open-mouthed in wonder, and not seeing enough perilous work within the work 😉
Surely the idea was new, but the event was by no means likely. Hope Hope sees that I am not grossly impertinent on such comment, but it is very likely that foreigners are never to be trusted. Or, simply put, I am passing through a period of great irresolution 😎 Anyway, I haven’t yielded to despair for not being left open-mouthed in wonder, and not seeing enough perilous work within the work 😉
April 18, 2018
A sequel that is not as good as the original: the plot is weaker and requires a lot of behind-the-scenes explanations and jumping around the timetable to keep the subplots together. The change in narrator also doesn't help, as Fritz is not present for a good part of the events in the book and it's not as interesting to read a second hand account of events compared to the 'memoirs' feeling of the first Zenda.
This change in narrator is also a very bad foreshadowing of the disappointing finale in which.
Just stop reading at the end of the first book and remember Ruritania as it was.
This change in narrator is also a very bad foreshadowing of the disappointing finale in which.
Just stop reading at the end of the first book and remember Ruritania as it was.
October 17, 2020
While Prisoner of Zenda was a fun adventure, this last in the trilogy is more pensive and multilayered.
The relationship between the King and Queen is understandably strained after what happened because 1) the King is a weak character whose egotism turns to excessive reassurance seeking and 2) the Queen Flavia is in love with Rassendyl. So you start out rooting for Flavia and Rassendyl.
I got pretty annoyed with Flavia because she had seemed a strong person at first but then degenerated into this typical mewling woman. However, her scene with Rischenheim redeemed her to what I think Hope meant her to be - a model woman, strong but soft, able to bend a man without wiles but just with her pedestal-worthy goodness. Some will find this nauseating, but I liked it. Mind you I'm a Buffy fan, so this is a definite departure from my usual female heroine.
It often felt as if Hope was writing for the screen and very much the type of movie that was then available. Overdramatic and a bit cheesy, but if you look at it in context, it's really entertaining.
I have to say the ending, although actually obvious if I really thought about it, was still shocking. Rudolf elevates himself from debonair gentlemen to a complex, moral person. I also love his devotion to Flavia.
The relationship between the King and Queen is understandably strained after what happened because 1) the King is a weak character whose egotism turns to excessive reassurance seeking and 2) the Queen Flavia is in love with Rassendyl. So you start out rooting for Flavia and Rassendyl.
I got pretty annoyed with Flavia because she had seemed a strong person at first but then degenerated into this typical mewling woman. However, her scene with Rischenheim redeemed her to what I think Hope meant her to be - a model woman, strong but soft, able to bend a man without wiles but just with her pedestal-worthy goodness. Some will find this nauseating, but I liked it. Mind you I'm a Buffy fan, so this is a definite departure from my usual female heroine.
It often felt as if Hope was writing for the screen and very much the type of movie that was then available. Overdramatic and a bit cheesy, but if you look at it in context, it's really entertaining.
I have to say the ending, although actually obvious if I really thought about it, was still shocking. Rudolf elevates himself from debonair gentlemen to a complex, moral person. I also love his devotion to Flavia.
October 15, 2011
A major theme that runs through much of great literature is the conflict betweeen Duty and Love. In "The Aeneid", Virgil has Aeneas choose duty over love. This conclusion was the majority opinion throughout Western history up until the time of the Romantics, who elevated Love above Duty. In a particularly Christian twist on the question ", Dante’ “Divine Comedy shows that Duty and Love can both be honored and fulfilled.
In the "Prisoner of Zenda", Anthony Hope danced a bit around this question in the midst of his ripping adventure yarn, and, like a good subject of the British Empire, gave the Roman answer to the question: Duty Wins. In "Rupert of Hentzau" Hope revisits the question, ramps up the moral dilemma, increases tension to the breaking point and finally... comes up with...the BIGGEST COP OUT OF ALL TIME. It's a shame really since the first book was so good.
In the "Prisoner of Zenda", Anthony Hope danced a bit around this question in the midst of his ripping adventure yarn, and, like a good subject of the British Empire, gave the Roman answer to the question: Duty Wins. In "Rupert of Hentzau" Hope revisits the question, ramps up the moral dilemma, increases tension to the breaking point and finally... comes up with...the BIGGEST COP OUT OF ALL TIME. It's a shame really since the first book was so good.
May 28, 2022
Argh. Argh. Argh. Argh. Argh. Argh. Argh. Argh. Argh.
I thought the ending to The Prisoner of Zenda was frustrating and melancholy? Well, Anthony Hope doubled down on that with this book.
Argh.
I mean, the ending makes sense, and it's really quite fitting, but I am still greatly displeased by it. So there.
I thought the ending to The Prisoner of Zenda was frustrating and melancholy? Well, Anthony Hope doubled down on that with this book.
Argh.
I mean, the ending makes sense, and it's really quite fitting, but I am still greatly displeased by it. So there.
February 6, 2017
I bought this book in Pembroke. This detail is almost irrelevant, except that Pembroke is one of my favourite towns in West Wales and has an extremely impressive castle. But it's not really like the castles of Ruritania, which are probably more Germanic looking.
I finished re-reading The Prisoner of Zenda almost a year ago to the day, and I adored it. I thought it was a tremendous swashbuckling adventure novel. It had great momentum and was a real page-turner for me. I have now finished re-reading the sequel, Rupert of Hentzau, and I adore it too, but not quite so much. It's a longer novel for a start and the pacing, although fast, isn't quite as breath-taking as the first book. Also the author, Anthony Hope, a very accomplished writer, chose a peculiar way of framing the narrative of this more complex novel.
A lot of the action is told from the point of view of a character not actually present during most of the described events, but who reconstructs them from what he afterwards learns. To add to the confusion, this character is sometimes present. The result is slightly strange and distancing, a mixture of reliable and possibly unreliable narrative, including a few scenes that are openly admitted to be pure speculation.
But on the whole it is an excellent read; an authentic swashbuckler. The villain, Rupert himself, is a magnificent character. Unlike so many novels of this type, it is the bad guy who is constantly on the back foot, outnumbered and having to rely on his (considerable) wits in order to survive his permanently precarious position. This aspect humanizes Rupert and makes him seem almost likeable; or if not likeable, than certainly admirable in some ways. The duel in which he must desperately fight for his life in a narrow attic is a superb set-piece.
I have stressed that this was a re-reading of the book. I first read both novels when I was about 15 but although I remembered parts of the first book, I remembered absolutely nothing about the sequel. It was as if I was reading it for the first time.
I finished re-reading The Prisoner of Zenda almost a year ago to the day, and I adored it. I thought it was a tremendous swashbuckling adventure novel. It had great momentum and was a real page-turner for me. I have now finished re-reading the sequel, Rupert of Hentzau, and I adore it too, but not quite so much. It's a longer novel for a start and the pacing, although fast, isn't quite as breath-taking as the first book. Also the author, Anthony Hope, a very accomplished writer, chose a peculiar way of framing the narrative of this more complex novel.
A lot of the action is told from the point of view of a character not actually present during most of the described events, but who reconstructs them from what he afterwards learns. To add to the confusion, this character is sometimes present. The result is slightly strange and distancing, a mixture of reliable and possibly unreliable narrative, including a few scenes that are openly admitted to be pure speculation.
But on the whole it is an excellent read; an authentic swashbuckler. The villain, Rupert himself, is a magnificent character. Unlike so many novels of this type, it is the bad guy who is constantly on the back foot, outnumbered and having to rely on his (considerable) wits in order to survive his permanently precarious position. This aspect humanizes Rupert and makes him seem almost likeable; or if not likeable, than certainly admirable in some ways. The duel in which he must desperately fight for his life in a narrow attic is a superb set-piece.
I have stressed that this was a re-reading of the book. I first read both novels when I was about 15 but although I remembered parts of the first book, I remembered absolutely nothing about the sequel. It was as if I was reading it for the first time.
April 15, 2022
Read only to find out what happens next in Ruritania.
August 3, 2016
The tone shifts from The Prisoner of Zenda: gone is the optimistic energy and spirit of adventure, thanks to the lackluster narration of Fritz and to the story revolving around a defensive action on the part of the protagonists. Unlike its predecessor, this is not so much about _doing_ something (madcap plan to impersonate and rescue the king) as about _preventing_ something (madcap non-plan to prevent a compromising letter from arriving). And all of it not to avert war or save a life, but to protect the honor of a woman who, let's be honest, is neither dynamic nor interesting.
The story really lights up when the stylishly villainous Rupert of Hentzau himself blusters onstage, and the one scene between him and Rudolf is magic.
The story really lights up when the stylishly villainous Rupert of Hentzau himself blusters onstage, and the one scene between him and Rudolf is magic.
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September 15, 2021Reading it again after 7 years and still my heart cries and dances with every line with every word out of Rudolf's mouth like I read it for the first time. The person I can never forget, Rudolf Rasendyll will live forever in my heart. The most amazing of character development, the most amazing of imagery it seems like u have watched a movie. When someone asks me u read a novel of Prisoner of Zenda or watched a movie I am unable to decide cause the words bring everything to life.
Everyone stops after reading Prisoner of Zenda but I believe u have not lived the true essence of the land and the mystery of Ruritania if you have not read Rupert of Hentzau.
Ask me to lend you but do read it 🥺
Everyone stops after reading Prisoner of Zenda but I believe u have not lived the true essence of the land and the mystery of Ruritania if you have not read Rupert of Hentzau.
Ask me to lend you but do read it 🥺
July 29, 2025
(1898) Don’t listen to the negative reviews here, like I almost did. The book won’t blow you away, but the escapism, the high romance, the fine old vintage of the prose are the same as in Prisoner of Zenda, published four years earlier. It’s also been four years since I read that book, and I can see now the influence of Haggard on Hope, especially in the elegiac tone (the story is sad). I was also reminded of the later Greenmantle, by Buchan, though I found Hope’s narrative more balanced—not nonstop action.
"Here you are, sir," he cried. "Nineteen, Konigstrasse."
A nod to the origin of all these “romances” can be spotted in the address of one of the principal locations in this story: No. 19 Konigstrasse, the same as the house in Journey to the Center of the Earth.
Ruritania is a wonderful place to have a cloak-and-dagger adventure in. Granted, the queen is annoying. And personally I think in a story about doubles and switcheroos Hope could have made things less confusing by not giving so many characters similar names: two Rudolphs and a Rupert and a couple other “R” names. The complaints here about the point of view make no sense, since the narrator dramatizes the action firsthand whether he’s involved or not. The transitions are seamless, with just enough of the usual explanations (“All that occurred was later relayed to me by…”) to suspend disbelief. The plot hinges on a love letter from the queen. It’s a pretty flimsy pretext, a sort of MacGuffin, which I actually like. It’s part of the charm of daydreams.
_________________
Quotes:
“The things that men call presages, presentiments, and so forth, are, to my mind, for the most part idle nothings: sometimes it is only that probable events cast before them a natural shadow which superstitious fancy twists into a Heaven-sent warning; oftener the same desire that gives conception works fulfilment, and the dreamer sees in the result of his own act and will a mysterious accomplishment independent of his effort.”
“‘…in dreams desires and fears blend in strange visions…”
"Where do you come from?" asked Sapt, suddenly. "London, sir, originally." “They make good stories there?" “Yes, sir, and act them sometimes."
"Here you are, sir," he cried. "Nineteen, Konigstrasse."
A nod to the origin of all these “romances” can be spotted in the address of one of the principal locations in this story: No. 19 Konigstrasse, the same as the house in Journey to the Center of the Earth.
Ruritania is a wonderful place to have a cloak-and-dagger adventure in. Granted, the queen is annoying. And personally I think in a story about doubles and switcheroos Hope could have made things less confusing by not giving so many characters similar names: two Rudolphs and a Rupert and a couple other “R” names. The complaints here about the point of view make no sense, since the narrator dramatizes the action firsthand whether he’s involved or not. The transitions are seamless, with just enough of the usual explanations (“All that occurred was later relayed to me by…”) to suspend disbelief. The plot hinges on a love letter from the queen. It’s a pretty flimsy pretext, a sort of MacGuffin, which I actually like. It’s part of the charm of daydreams.
_________________
Quotes:
“The things that men call presages, presentiments, and so forth, are, to my mind, for the most part idle nothings: sometimes it is only that probable events cast before them a natural shadow which superstitious fancy twists into a Heaven-sent warning; oftener the same desire that gives conception works fulfilment, and the dreamer sees in the result of his own act and will a mysterious accomplishment independent of his effort.”
“‘…in dreams desires and fears blend in strange visions…”
"Where do you come from?" asked Sapt, suddenly. "London, sir, originally." “They make good stories there?" “Yes, sir, and act them sometimes."
March 6, 2014
4 Extra Debut. Queen Flavia writes a fateful letter to her true love Rudolf Rassendyll. Sequel to The Prisoner of Zenda. Stars Julian Glover.
Ruritanian Romance.
This would make no sense at all if you haven't got The Prisoner of Zenda under your belt.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01qqsw3
August 2, 2019
'God has decided,' he said. 'I've tried to do the right thing through it all.'
September 2, 2016
بدأت بتوقعات كبيرة.. و لكن مع مرور الصفحات بدات أشعر بخيبة أمل قوية..
عندما تجد رواية تحمل اسم احد الشخصيات فلابد أن تتوقع أن تكون تلك الشخصية متواجدة في نصف الرواية على الأقل.. لكن للغرابة لا نجد روبرت يظهر سوى في اربع مشاهد طوال احداث الرواية تقريبا..
هو ببساطة الغائب الحاضر.. غائب جسديا .. و لكنه حاضر على لسان المتحدثين طوال الوقت..
لكنني لا أريد هذا!!
اللعنة!
أريد ان أرى روبرت! أريد ان أشاهده يتكلم ويقاتل و يبارز!
أريد أن أراه يخطط و يرسم و يقتل و يهرب!!
أين كل هذا؟!!!
خيبة أمل كبرى تماما في هذه الرواية بدءا من الاسم..
لكن الأمر لا يتوقف عند هذا الحد .. بل أن الأحداث مليئة بالعشوائية و اللامنطقية الشديدة!!!
كيف يكون جنديا كبير بهذه السذاجة التي تجعله يفقد رسالة مهمة بهذه الطريقة الغبية؟؟؟!!!
أي شرف هذا الذي ظل الجنود يرددون الإدعاء بحمايته وهو في حقيقته عبارة عن رسالة من الملكة لعشيقها؟!!!!
كيف تتخلي الملكة عن حبها لأنها تعلم بمسئولياتها عن المملكة و تجاه بلادها و لكنها تظل على علاقة سرية بحبيبها؟!!!!!
فقط "المبادئ" التي يقوم عليها شرف الفروسية .. و هى التي استخدمت بكثرة في الجزء الأول.. لا نجدها هنا على الإطلاق!!
جندي يقوم بدور "موصل الرسائل" بين الملكة و حبيبها؟!!! فعلا؟؟ هل هذا هو الشرف؟؟!!!
كل شيء كان فاسدا تماما! و من أجل ماذا؟ من اجل ألا يتلوث شرف الملكة!!!! ألم يتلوث هذا الشرف بالفعل عندما قررت الملكة أن تظل على علاقة بشخص غير زوجها؟!!! ما هذا الهراء التام!!
للأسف يبدو لي أن السير أنتوني هوب حاول الخدعة الهوليوودية المشهورة.. فقد وجد الجزء الأول محققا نجاحا كبيرا فحاول أن ستفيد منه بنشر أجزاء آخري.. لكن فيما يبدو أنه كان من نوعية أدباء الكتاب الواحد..
عندما تجد رواية تحمل اسم احد الشخصيات فلابد أن تتوقع أن تكون تلك الشخصية متواجدة في نصف الرواية على الأقل.. لكن للغرابة لا نجد روبرت يظهر سوى في اربع مشاهد طوال احداث الرواية تقريبا..
هو ببساطة الغائب الحاضر.. غائب جسديا .. و لكنه حاضر على لسان المتحدثين طوال الوقت..
لكنني لا أريد هذا!!
اللعنة!
أريد ان أرى روبرت! أريد ان أشاهده يتكلم ويقاتل و يبارز!
أريد أن أراه يخطط و يرسم و يقتل و يهرب!!
أين كل هذا؟!!!
خيبة أمل كبرى تماما في هذه الرواية بدءا من الاسم..
لكن الأمر لا يتوقف عند هذا الحد .. بل أن الأحداث مليئة بالعشوائية و اللامنطقية الشديدة!!!
كيف يكون جنديا كبير بهذه السذاجة التي تجعله يفقد رسالة مهمة بهذه الطريقة الغبية؟؟؟!!!
أي شرف هذا الذي ظل الجنود يرددون الإدعاء بحمايته وهو في حقيقته عبارة عن رسالة من الملكة لعشيقها؟!!!!
كيف تتخلي الملكة عن حبها لأنها تعلم بمسئولياتها عن المملكة و تجاه بلادها و لكنها تظل على علاقة سرية بحبيبها؟!!!!!
فقط "المبادئ" التي يقوم عليها شرف الفروسية .. و هى التي استخدمت بكثرة في الجزء الأول.. لا نجدها هنا على الإطلاق!!
جندي يقوم بدور "موصل الرسائل" بين الملكة و حبيبها؟!!! فعلا؟؟ هل هذا هو الشرف؟؟!!!
كل شيء كان فاسدا تماما! و من أجل ماذا؟ من اجل ألا يتلوث شرف الملكة!!!! ألم يتلوث هذا الشرف بالفعل عندما قررت الملكة أن تظل على علاقة بشخص غير زوجها؟!!! ما هذا الهراء التام!!
للأسف يبدو لي أن السير أنتوني هوب حاول الخدعة الهوليوودية المشهورة.. فقد وجد الجزء الأول محققا نجاحا كبيرا فحاول أن ستفيد منه بنشر أجزاء آخري.. لكن فيما يبدو أنه كان من نوعية أدباء الكتاب الواحد..
April 17, 2009
This is the sequel to "The Prisoner of Zenda." It had the same excellent, witty, quick-paced style I loved from the first. I really loved the narrator from the first one better, the second is a little drier--but it was part of the story and it was great.
Followed the first with the themes of loyalty, duty and honor. Rudolf has a really hard choice to make in this one, and although he doesn't actually get to "make" it, you know by the description of his demeanor at the end that he'd made the right one.
Again, this message is so needed and so refreshing in an adventure book. Sometimes we have to choose between what's right and what we want. And we don't always get what we want, but we can honorably get on with life anyway.
Followed the first with the themes of loyalty, duty and honor. Rudolf has a really hard choice to make in this one, and although he doesn't actually get to "make" it, you know by the description of his demeanor at the end that he'd made the right one.
Again, this message is so needed and so refreshing in an adventure book. Sometimes we have to choose between what's right and what we want. And we don't always get what we want, but we can honorably get on with life anyway.
July 29, 2010
I did enjoy certain aspect of this sequal to "Prisoner of Zenda", the plots, the overall story-telling. I think part of the story was told better than the first book. However, I am not certain why the author chose the voice of Fritz as the narrator of the story. Fritz was not present in many of the key scenes which make the narration awkward.
And above all, I was disappointed at the ending. Ahh well. I still like Anthony Hope very much.
And above all, I was disappointed at the ending. Ahh well. I still like Anthony Hope very much.
June 7, 2014
Sequel to Prisoner of Zenda, this tale includes a bit more love story, more strategic planning, fewer action scenes, and a generous helping of humor and gloom. I prefer the first novel to this one, mostly because in this novel, the queen seems rather whiny, selfish, and obsessed - someone it is hard to sympathize with so I don't feel as invested in those parts of the story - which are actually rather important parts. (I'm trying to be clear without ruining the book!)
July 10, 2019
This sequel to The Prisoner of Zenda is more of the same, really - with a strong whiff of Three Musketeers in terms of general plot motivation and being a ripping yarn, at least. The sly wit is absent and this makes our hero a little bit of a Gary Stu, but nevermind. If you liked the former book, you'll like this one, too, I would think.
July 23, 2017
When I started reading this sequel to The Prisoner of Zenda, I was not entirely sure I was going to enjoy it. However, as I progressed with it, I found myself caught up in the web and was spellbound as the tale unfolded. A swashbuckling story of high treason, intrigue, love and above all honour.
March 1, 2022
This book okay. The paced of plot was too slow for my liking but both the writing and ending was fine. The cover of book was and the characters were okay but I would like them to be flash out bit more.
December 10, 2011
A brilliant sequel, perfectly consistent with the first book. Once again the last paragraphs are beautiful. A stirring, noble story.
April 8, 2013
Truely a magnificent piece of work!
September 16, 2017
Unapologetically old-fashioned, clearly dated, yet Hope's nobility of sentiment still makes me tear up, every time.
February 8, 2019
That a better man could be a better king was, in my humble opinion, unconceivable for an Englishman. Still Hope came the nearest to it as he could!!!
Bye King Rudolf, may you Rest In Peace!
Bye King Rudolf, may you Rest In Peace!
March 18, 2020
Average.
Read it just because it's a sequel "Prisoner of Zenda"
Read it just because it's a sequel "Prisoner of Zenda"
August 27, 2020
أحداثها تقع بعد أحداث "سجين زندا" بعدة سنوات
أقل من المتوقع وربما يعود الأمر للترجمة
أقل من المتوقع وربما يعود الأمر للترجمة
December 3, 2024
Not nearly as fun of a swashbuckler as the first, but it was a satisfying resolution
September 18, 2020
El valor de decidir entre lo que “se puede hacer” y lo que “se debe hacer” es propia de un verdadero hombre...un hombre como lo es el ingenioso y elegante Rudolf Rassendyll, el protagonista de “El Prisionero de Zenda” y de su secuela: “Ruperto de Hentzau”. Ambas obras con un sentido de humor fino exquisito, con una honorabilidad, moral y decencia que no debería pasar de moda; esta historia me ha hecho reír y conmoverme ante quién por amor y sin traicionar el honor, lo apuesta todo. La disfruté #❤
Sir Anthony Hope, abogado y escritor inglés, con el éxito obtenido, se animó a renunciar a la prominente carrera legal que parecía esperarle para convertirse en escritor de tiempo completo. Gracias por esta historia Sir Anthony Hope Hawkins (1863-1933) es notoria su pluma de letrado y brillante la de escritor.
Sir Anthony Hope, abogado y escritor inglés, con el éxito obtenido, se animó a renunciar a la prominente carrera legal que parecía esperarle para convertirse en escritor de tiempo completo. Gracias por esta historia Sir Anthony Hope Hawkins (1863-1933) es notoria su pluma de letrado y brillante la de escritor.
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