Book Review: The Scarlet Pimpernel, by Baroness Emmuska Orczy

An 18th century Bruce Wayne rescues French aristocrats from Madame la Guillotine.



First published in 1903. Approximately 86,000 words.. Available free at Project Gutenberg.

Perhaps the most famous alias of all time, The Scarlet Pimpernel hides the identity of a British nobleman who, masked by various disguises, leads a band of young men to undermine the Reign of Terror after the French Revolution.

The Scarlet Pimpernel makes daring raid after daring raid into the heart of France to save aristocrats condemned to the guillotine. At each rescue, he leaves his calling card: a small, blood-red flower - a pimpernel - mocking the power of Robespierre and his Committee of Public Safety.

Having been told that his own wife was an informer who delivered an aristocrat into the hands of the Committee, the Scarlet Pimpernel must keep his identity and work a secret while he struggles against the love he feels for her. Until the day her own brother is taken prisoner...

( We seek him here, we seek him there, Those Frenchies seek him everywhere. Is he in heaven?--Is he in hell? That demmed, elusive Pimpernel! )

Verdict: A dashing 18th century superhero, lovers torn apart by misunderstanding and apparent betrayal, only to be reunited, and the peril of Madame Guillotine. The Scarlet Pimpernel is not deep or serious literature, but it's fun and nicely plotted and a quick read. I can easily see Orczy as a writer of steampunk paranormal romances if she were alive today, and doing them better than most.

Book Review: The Scarlet Pimpernel, by Baroness Emmuska Orczy

An 18th century Bruce Wayne rescues French aristocrats from Madame la Guillotine.



First published in 1903. Approximately 86,000 words.. Available free at Project Gutenberg.

Perhaps the most famous alias of all time, The Scarlet Pimpernel hides the identity of a British nobleman who, masked by various disguises, leads a band of young men to undermine the Reign of Terror after the French Revolution.

The Scarlet Pimpernel makes daring raid after daring raid into the heart of France to save aristocrats condemned to the guillotine. At each rescue, he leaves his calling card: a small, blood-red flower - a pimpernel - mocking the power of Robespierre and his Committee of Public Safety.

Having been told that his own wife was an informer who delivered an aristocrat into the hands of the Committee, the Scarlet Pimpernel must keep his identity and work a secret while he struggles against the love he feels for her. Until the day her own brother is taken prisoner...

( We seek him here, we seek him there, Those Frenchies seek him everywhere. Is he in heaven?--Is he in hell? That demmed, elusive Pimpernel! )

Verdict: A dashing 18th century superhero, lovers torn apart by misunderstanding and apparent betrayal, only to be reunited, and the peril of Madame Guillotine. The Scarlet Pimpernel is not deep or serious literature, but it's fun and nicely plotted and a quick read. I can easily see Orczy as a writer of steampunk paranormal romances if she were alive today, and doing them better than most.