It was great fun to read this adventure of the Scarlet Pimpernel. Full of drama and melodrama. Shall read more from the series. I listened to this on audio, free from Librivox, here: http://librivox.org/el-dorado-by-baro... ( )

This book is as charming, thrilling, and passionate as the original! I'll confess prejudice; The Scarlet Pimpernel is my absolute favourite book in the world, and I'm madly in love with Sir Percy. But this book has so much to recommend it -- political intrigue, historical fiction, suspense thriller, spy and disguise, and, of course, unmatchable romance. One thing I love about El Dorado in comparison to the original is getting to see more of Percy and the League in action. El Dorado is a worthy successor to the Pimpernel legend. ( )

The best Pimpernel story by far. Darker in tone than the rest of the adventures, Eldorado has romance, anguish, tension, a sharp blend of historical fact and fiction, and includes all of Orczy's best characters. For me, the incredible test of Percy and Marguerite's powerful bond is somewhat diminished by the 'subplot' of Armand and actress Jeanne Lange - the suspicion that Orczy was replicating her successful feminine formula of vulnerability and allure, which works so well with Marguerite, rather challenges her supposed appeal - but bar a nauseating chapter in which lovestruck Armand and self-serving Jeanne declare their feelings for each other, the interest stays most firmly rooted in the Blakeneys. The 'Richmond' chapter in The Scarlet Pimpernel is echoed here when Marguerite must visit her beaten but unbowed husband in a fetid cell in the Conciergerie. And although Percy and Armand decide never to tell Marguerite of all that has happened, the reader is left with the feeling that she already knows - and that her relationship with her beloved brother must suffer ever after.

Absolutely amazing writing, far surpassing even the main novel. ( )

Another fun Scarlet Pimpernel romp. A friend of Percy's, has his head turned by yet another French actress (this one is not of the sneaky sort), and says some things that he shouldn't.

Throw in a dodgy Austrian baron, and Chauvelin, and the rescue of a young French monarch, and you have your adventure.

Because of his foolish friend Percy himself is captured, because Chauvelin wants him to reveal where the young French blueblood is being hidden, so that they can do some more chopping off of heads.

http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/1752

http://superprose.blogspot.com/2007/0... ( )