The Secret History of the Pink Carnation

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation is seemingly written to sully the names of chick-lit, fanfiction, and historical fiction all at once (based loosely on Emmuska Orczy's The Scarlet Pimpernel). Lauren Willig provides not one but two insipid idiotic (Mary-Sue) 'heroines', one in the modern era and another hoping to infiltrate Napoleonic France.

The spies here are more interested in trite banter and tired slap-slap-kiss routines or in initiating sex scenes too cheesily full of 'swoon's to be accepted into a romance novel than actually doing any spy work. (And actually, they do get caught on a recon mission because they're too busy groping each other.)

It's such a waste that Willig completely ignores the chance to teach real history or show more compare and contrast the social values of women of two different eras (attitudes towards 'birthright' and monarchy, gender roles, patriotism, etc) in favor of poorly executed romantic tropes. By the time I was halfway through this novel, I had long since dried my feminist tears and was actively hoping Napoleon would uncover our protagonists and execute them to spare the world from more of this horrific prose. show less

Eloise is in London researching the Pink Carnation for her dissertation. Although the Selwick family’s private papers have been closed to researchers, Eloise has been given limited access. Eloise can’t tear herself away from Amy Balfour’s diaries. Twenty-year-old Amy lived with her mother’s relatives in England fifteen years following her French father’s death at the guillotine. Amy’s elder brother had remained in France, and Amy leaps at his invitation for her to visit her childhood home. Accompanied by her cousin Jane and Jane’s spinster aunt Gwen, Amy determines to find the Purple Gentian and help him restore the monarchy to France. But what to do about the odious Richard Selwick, their unwanted companion on the show more crossing from Dover to Calais. Selwick is the opposite of the Purple Gentian, working with Napoleon as an Egyptologist. But is there more to Richard than meets the eye? And where does the Pink Carnation come in?

I love The Scarlet Pimpernel and several of the movie and television adaptations, so the concept of this book appealed to me. Sadly, this book failed to meet my expectations. Amy is everything I dislike in a heroine, impulsive and outspoken. The Purple Gentian is the worst spy ever. They were much more interested in each other than I was in either of them. I would have preferred Jane as the heroine. The reader’s guide in the paperback version indicates that Jane will get her own novel later in the series, but I don’t think I’ll be reading it. I’ll stick with Georgette Heyer instead. show less

Eloise is working on her dissertation, and she's always been fascinated with enigmas like the Scarlet Pimpernel, the Purple Gentian, and the Pink Carnation. The identity of the first two have long been unmasked, but her hope is to come across something in the archives that will reveal the long-debated identity of the Pink Carnation. In the course of her search, a descendant of the Purple Gentian gives her unprecedented access to family papers, which contain the story of the origins of the Pink Carnation.

Most of the story, in fact, is set during 1803, when Amy Balcourt returns to France (she is half-French, half English) to try to meet the Purple Gentian and assist him in his fight against Napoleon. I am a moody reader and what I, show more apparently, was in the mood for when I picked up this book was pure, unadulterated fluff. Oh, don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it and would probably read it again. The characters were engaging and the romance aspect of the story amusing. Don't expect to find accurate historical fiction, however. History bends to serve the purpose of the narrative in more ways than one. The plot twists were not unexpected; in fact, I'd already guessed elements of the past and present story lines far before they were made explicit in the narration. Despite these facts, it was precisely the story I was in the mood for, and I enjoyed every unbelievable minute of it. show less

I swore I wouldn't read another Pink Carnation novel, after borrowing The Seduction of the Crimson Rose from the library as an experiment, but The Secret History of the Pink Carnation is the original 'Marmite' book - love it or hate it - and also references the Scarlet Pimpernel. So I couldn't really stop myself.

And do you know, I found the story quite entertaining! (The characters were another matter.) The trick is to treat Lauren Willig's books like the historical chick lit they are. Banish comparisons with Austen from the table, for a start - that's not happening. And even though Willig was inspired by, and sources, the Scarlet Pimpernel series by Baroness Orczy, the Pink Carnation books actually have more in common with 'Carry on show more ... Don't Lose Your Head' or Blackadder the Third than the Baroness' French Revolution romances. What we're left with is a present day Georgette Heyer, where the characters all sound like teenagers instead of 1930s socialites. American Grad student Eloise 'Mary Sue' Kelly is in London researching the Pimpernel, Sir Percy - who apparently retired after being 'unmasked' and losing one of his men (poor Tony!) - and two other flowery spies, the Purple Gentian and the Pink Carnation. Through the wordy and well-preserved letters of the Gentian's descendants, Eloise 'reconstructs' the (literal) unmasking of one spy and the creation of his replacement - only both narratives, supposedly set two hundred years apart, seem to feature exactly the same clumsy heroines, Heyer-esque dialogue and hormone-driven romances. I desperately wanted to hit Amy Balcourt, who is the most irritatingly bouncy, fluffy, accident-prone creation since - well - Eloise Kelly, and the Purple Gentian wasn't exactly hero material, spending most of the novel ogling or groping Amy. And oh wow, I think Lauren Willig might have been aiming to recreate the Woosters, or the Standen clan from Heyer's Cotillion, when she came up with the Gentian's family, but she failed spectacularly in that case - they set my teeth on edge.

But for all that - Wodehousian slapstick, titllation over romance, Tigger in a dress, and killing off Tony - the Pink Carnation was amusing, especially all the in-jokes about heroes and swashbuckling (even an honorary mention for Anthony Andrews), and easy to read. I really, truly won't be reading another novel from the series, though. Honest. show less

I am a big fan of the Regency romance novels by Georgette Heyer. I am also a fan of Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate series. Willig’s The Secret History of the Pink Carnation is a wonderful blending of the two: a fun adventure romp that strikes the right balance between the somewhat prim innocence of Heyer’s stories and the more lewd, bawdy nature of Carriger’s stories (and minus the paranormal aspect). The whole mistaken identities bit was a hoot to read! I really like how Willig allows us to see the story from both Amy and Richard’s perspectives. Napoleon’s France is captured wonderfully and I love how the story has its share of rakes, double-dealers and other fun character surprises to behold. Not surprisingly, Miss show more Gwen – the chaperone accompanying Amy and her cousin Jane to Paris – is the perfect dragon and one of my favorite characters. I love how she takes Napoleon down a notch or two and has her own interesting surprises for the reader. I did wondered if the story shifting between Eloise’s story set in present day England and Amy’s story set in Napoleonic-era France was going to be jarring and interrupt the flow of reading. It was jarring but only in that I always had to shake myself when sliding back in to Eloise’s story…. I was so involved with Amy’s story I never seemed to expect the transition each time it happened.

Yes, this story is what I would classify as “chick-lit” but don’t be swayed by that labeling. At its core, this is a great adventure/espionage/romance story, filled with humour and intrigue. The only downside I can report is that I made a promise to myself that I would not start the next book in the series until February…. I don’t know if I can wait that long! show less

My review is based on a reread - as I continued to devour new entries in this addicting historical espionage romance saga, I decided to reread those books I hadn't yet reviewed. I waver between giving this book four stars and five. It is the first book in a series that I love, and is a great story and has fun characters as well, but it is not as good as others in the same series. Though the Pink Carnation is a decidedly fun romp, and was addicting enough to propel me further along the path of Willig novels, it is not quite up to par with her other books. The author has definitely improved over time.

To begin with the many positive aspects of this book. Amy and Richard are a cute couple with great romantic tension. Amy is feisty and full show more of independence, even if she is seriously lacking in common sense. Her enthusiasm compensates for the many times she jumps into trouble. Actually, her naivete is part of her charm. Richard is the reformed rake, tall and handsome, and perfectly fulfills his role of swaggering yet debonair hero. I always imagine Errol Flynn when I read about him. They are drawn to each other immediately, but a series of misunderstanding, all built upon their double identities, forces them apart. Amy decides that she hates Richard, and he decides that his life is too dangerous for any distractions. Too bad they can't stop thinking about each other. On top of it all, Amy falls for Richard's secret identity, the Purple Gentian. The love story is light-hearted and delicious.

Another positive aspect is Jane. I love Jane. In fact, I had forgotten how she became the Pink Carnation. I knew she carried the identity in later books, but since Amy and Richard are the central couple, they were the only ones that I remembered years later. How could I forget that Jane was Amy's cousin, and she was the one who actually had the skill, ingenuity, and intelligence for espionage? She loves her cousin Amy, and is willing to follow along with her plans, but she is much better suited for the game, and appropriately takes over when Amy returns to England. I am so glad that I remember how Jane became the Pink Carnation.

Now on to the drawbacks that keep this book from being five stars. The espionage subplot is not as engaging as later volumes in the series. Amy's brother is secretly smuggling goods, along with the rogue Marston. Not nearly as high stake as other plot lines. Another irritation: I felt like I read a few too many romance cliches in one story. I also agree with other reviewers that the sex scenes are too much. I'm sure others might argue the other way - that the sex is too tame - but I'd rather have story than sex. I prefer romantic tension over drawn-out groping and love-making. Later books still deliver some naughty scenes, but they are more succinct. Also, although I thought Richard was charming, and a worthy hero, he isn't totally my type. I prefer Geoff and Augustus of later stories. These quibbles are enough to keep this from being a great story, but it certainly is a really good one, that I enjoyed. The series as a whole has served me as a wonderful escape from reality time after time. I am certainly glad Willig created this charming series of romantic reads. show less

What a fun (and anachronistic) romp!

Written in the vein and spirit of Possession by A.S. Byatt but given a humorous tongue-in-cheek aspect along with a decidedly will not take itself seriously bent and intent to illustrate the absurdities of current everyday life added into the mix it does a fine job of perhaps not being recognized as a similar novel pre-text.

I liked the characters (even if in reality Amy would have been a very badly brought up girl for her status from the English countryside - Jane [so far] is a much better example) Jane is a delight, Miss Gwen.. well what can one SAY about Miss Gwen other than to just utterly adore her? Mr. Stiles deserves a nod and a mention if only because he is entirely fun and possibly the show more closest character to the Scarlet Pimpernel in the entire book. The other characters all have their points as well (mustn't spoil!) I was slightly surprised at how utterly graphic some of the "hot n steamy" interludes got. ok !! [oh and the boatman was a howl.] Definitely no discreet drawing of the curtain or any other veiled references and letting the reader imagine what they will! I'm not one for romance books but.. whoa.. that ain't harlequin folks!

The actual "Secret Of The Pink Carnation" I did guess shortly after we were introduced to the main cast of characters. But that didn't' lessen my enjoyment of the romp through Napoleonic France. Ms. Willig's portrayal of Joséphine de Beauharnais was also very well done in my opinion. I also liked her note at the end about taking serious liberties with history and highlighting some of what she'd done.

The modern storyline had just about as much to offer. We all have our Pammy's (although hopefully not turning up with red leather bustiers!) and other such things happening in our lives. It was a nice touch of an American in London and the differences in living life. Oh and her "anti-compass" loved that part!

Ms. Willig has confused actions, mores, and speech from the different periods, but it does not detract from what is a fun story. After-all it is "historical fiction" and written with a light humorous tongue-in-cheek touch that makes it all the more entertaining. show less