League of the Scarlet Pimpernel follows Baroness Orczy's original novel The Scarlet Pimpernel with further tales of Sir Percy Blakeney, a daring Englishman set on rescuing French aristocrats from fate of the guillotine. The short novel is told in a vignette style with each chapter telling of a different encounter of the master of disguise and his fellowship.

Overall, I preferred the more cohesive tale told in the first book of the series, but the lighthearted adventure and the lovable characters still produce a fun and engaging book. ( )

'We seek him here/We seek him there - Chauvelin seeks him everywhere!' Poor old Chauvelin is outwitted three times in this collection of short stories, mentally and physically exhausted after chasing after the Pimpernel. Several entertaining interludes in the career of that demmed elusive hero, told by those he rescues and those who get caught up in his schemes. The League's main technique is bluff and bluster - insist loudly and for long enough, and people will believe you are who you say you are. Also, never invent a disguise, always 'replace' a real person. Familiar characters such as Bibot and Rateau make guest appearances, and tantalisingly, it is inferred that Marguerite accompanies her husband to take care of the emigres being smuggled out of Paris. My favourite tales are those with Chauvelin - 'Sir Percy Explains' and 'A Battle of Wits'. ( )

Chauvelin seeks him here, he seeks him there, many, many times. The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel has a different structure as the book is a collection of short stories or escapades about people that the elusive Pimpernel himself has helped to rescue, along with his intrepid band of adventurers.

So, if you want a small dose of Pimpernel action now and again, this one is for you.

League of the Scarlet Pimpernel : 01 SIR PERCY EXPLAINS - Emmuska Orczy
League of the Scarlet Pimpernel : 02 A QUESTION OF PASSPORTS - Emmuska Orczy
League of the Scarlet Pimpernel : 03 TWO GOOD PATRIOTS - Emmuska Orczy
League of the Scarlet Pimpernel : 04 THE OLD SCARECROW - Emmuska Orczy
League of the Scarlet Pimpernel : 05 A FINE BIT OF WORK - Emmuska Orczy
League of the Scarlet Pimpernel : 06 HOW JEAN PIERRE MET THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL - Emmuska Orczy
League of the Scarlet Pimpernel : 07 OUT OF THE JAWS OF DEATH - Emmuska Orczy
League of the Scarlet Pimpernel : 08 THE TRAITOR - Emmuska Orczy
League of the Scarlet Pimpernel : 09 THE CABARET DE LA LIBERTE - Emmuska Orczy
League of the Scarlet Pimpernel : 10 NEEDS MUST - Emmuska Orczy
League of the Scarlet Pimpernel : 11 A BATTLE OF WITS - Emmuska Orczy

The Pimpernel gives a clinic on disguise and misdirection.

4 out of 5

Papers signed by the bad guys are handy.

3.5 out of 5

The Pimpernel dupes a couple into helping him escape.

3 out of 5

A young man recounts encountering the famous hero.

2.5 out of 5

A great granddaughter reads an old account.

3 out of 5

The League has a dirty rat.

3 out of 5

A den of iniquity, a girl, and The League.

3 out of 5

The Pimpernel corners Chauvelin, out on an investigation, into helping him get safe transport for some people.

4 out of 5

Some agents fail to get much done.

2.5 out of 5

http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/5805

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