Review: The Scarlet Pimpernel

The Scarlet Pimpernel

by Baroness Emmuska Orczy

Barnes and Noble Classics, 2005 (originally 1905)

Adult Classic

8 cups of tea out of 11

Summary: The Scarlet Pimpernel is saving aristocrats in France from the Guillotine. Chauvelin is determined to find out his identity and uses Marguerite’s brother’s safety as leverage to get her to help him.

Likes: This is hilarious, angsty, and thrilling. Percy and Marguerite’s characterizations in particular were fantastic. I enjoyed myself immensely.

Dislikes: Orczy’s biases are pretty obvious. She definitely sympathizes with the aristocrats of that time, which is understandable considering she was one herself.

Overall I really enjoyed this and am eager to read the other books in the series.