Member: camillahoel

Also enjoyed your review of The Scarlet Pimpernel! At first, I was fired to defend my beloved Orczy from your criticism, as I saw it - her writing isn't *that* bad! - but then I completely understood, identified and endorsed your mixed emotions: there is something slightly sordid about reading these books (have you read the rest of the series?), but I think I will always come back to them. I, too, have a crush on Sir Percy, precisely because Orczy doesn't really describe him in detail, but I also adore Marguerite. She is the perfect heroine: feminine, impulsive, arduous. Oh yes, and very beautiful! My favourite book in the set is 'Eldorado', which far surpasses the first novel, IMO.

Thank you for putting into words what it is to be a fan of the Pimpernel! :)

posted by AdonisGuilfoyle at 10:27 am (EST) on Oct 6, 2009

I enjoyeed your review of The Scarlet Pimpernel! I didn't like it for the reasons you mention when I first read it, but when I reread it, I was surprised by how fun it was. One thing about your review though: I'm fairly certain the name is Blakeney, not Blackney.

Have you ever seen the film adaptation starring Jane Seymour and Ian McKellan? It doesn't follow the book exactly (I think it actually compresses the first book with some of the sequels) but it's so much fun :)

posted by wisewoman at 8:22 am (EST) on Sep 22, 2009