The Scarlet Pimpernel in Reading the Classics

Aug 05, 2013 Henry Avila rated it really liked it · review of another edition

When the guillotine dropped quickly, remorselessly and often, there arose a mysterious Englishman, who crossed the channel, to rescue the French Aristocrats ( mostly innocent victims), he called himself, "The Scarlet Pimpernel" . Named after a modest, British flower, this person organized a band of twenty high-born men, he like the flower, was unpretentious . Their daring deeds thrilled the world, Antoine Fouquier-Tinville director of the French government, wants to capture these enemies. Offers When the guillotine dropped quickly, remorselessly and often, there arose a mysterious Englishman, who crossed the channel, to rescue the French Aristocrats ( mostly innocent victims), he called himself, "The Scarlet Pimpernel" . Named after a modest, British flower, this person organized a band of twenty high-born men, he like the flower, was unpretentious . Their daring deeds thrilled the world, Antoine Fouquier-Tinville director of the French government, wants to capture these enemies. Offers 5,000 francs, for the head of the unknown leader, but the brilliant Pimpernel, has supernatural powers, they say...The Terror was just beginning, Sir Percy Blakeney is a rather silly, unintelligent, fop (everyone thought so ). Percy travels in High Society, his friend is the dissolute Prince of Wales, similar men are his young followers, and copy all Blakeney's latest clothes he wears. Recite his witty words, the riches man in England was surprisingly... the secret chief of this group of daredevils, in perilous France...Having recently married a French actress, Marguerite St. Just, the most beautiful, smart woman in the country . All her friends, were stunned, she had many suitors, love of money, undoubtedly was the reason. A hard, precarious childhood, Marguerite and her older brother, Armand, endured, as they lost their parents, at an early age. Unusually close, they depended on each other to survive, but still, how can she, lower herself to such a nitwit dandy? With an irritating laugh ? Her many friends, can't accept it...In Paris the barricades, surround the city, everyone leaving, is thoroughly searched. Their carts, barrels, animals, all that goes by, particularly the frightened citizens, the fleeing aristocrats, can't get out. An old, ugly woman, approaches the western barricades, the cart will not be searched, her grandson has the plague, she says...The guards, back away and the vehicle slowly passes, into the countryside, never to be seen again. Yes, The Scarlet Pimpernel, is the old woman, and some nobles are hidden, in the wagon. Sir Percy is a master of disguise, it will save his life, numerous times. The Committee of Safety, the notorious Revolutionary French government, sends an agent to England, to find out, the identity of this Scarlet Pimpernel. Such a silly name ! Citizen Chauvelin , the spy, is also an accredited official, of the bloody, French regime, and a former friend of Lady Blakeney. When her brave brother, or foolish, Armand, working for her husband, in France, to help some Aristocrats escape, is apprehended. The "Day Dream", Sir Percy's yacht, which has been used, often, to get them, across the sea, back to freedom (England), needs to sail in the opposite direction . But now the ruthless Chauvelin, threatens to kill Armand, if Lady Blakeney, doesn't find out who is the Scarlet Pimpernel...And she is in the dark, that her despised, idiot of a husband, is that person! Will Marguerite, have to choose between her husband and her beloved brother , one must die ? Appearances are not always reality, as this book shows. A man wears a mask, for the world, but inside, he is a totally different animal. ...more

119 likes · Like · see review

Aug 01, 2011 Melissa Namba rated it it was amazing

I loved this book! I cannot believe I have lived this long without reading it. It was not a life changing book, but it was a very pleasant and fun read. I would recommend this as a great airplane book. Nothing too complex or surprising occurs in it, but I thoroughly enjoyed the little love story and the exaggerated characterizations. I read part of it in the Metropolitan's Cloisters which I found put me in the right mood. However, I was captivated by the story and now look forward to seeing the ...more

Like · see review