Lady Marguerite Blakeney and her husband, Sir Percy, are at the heart of this novel. She's beautiful, clever, and French. He's handsome, wealthy, and English. But though they had a passionate courtship, "Now they had drifted quite apart, and Sir Percy seemed to have laid aside his love her, as he would an ill-fitting glove. She tried to rouse him by sharpening her ready wit against his dull intellect; endeavored to excite his jealousy, if she could not rouse his love...but all in vain. He remained the same, always passive, drawling, sleepy, always courteous, invariably a gentleman..."
Added to the events of their life together in England, are the daring intrigues of the Scarlet Pimpernel, the mysterious and dashing Englishman who has rescued countless French aristocrats from the guillotine. His brave exploits are the talk of London. But who is he? Lady Blakeney is about to find out.
I loved this book! It's captivating, amusing, clever, and diverting. And it reads fast. Why couldn't I have read this classic in high school? I'm so glad I read it now. It's the best.
Happy Reading!
I read this one in my late teens and recall absolutely 'loving' it. Did you know there're sequels? I read several and loved them too. She was a good crime writer too apparently, a series called The Teahouse Detective, I read one short story in a collection and enjoyed it. She got a mention in Martin Edwards book about the Golden Age of Crime Writing.
ReplyDeleteThere are sequels? I didn't know that! I'm going to have to see if my library has any because if they're anything like this book I already know I'm going to like them. :D
DeleteIsn't it a fun one?
ReplyDeleteSo fun! It's one I'd like to own so I can read it again. :D
DeleteI don't know if you do Project Gutenberg, but it is available there, as well as a bunch of her mysteries. Most of hers I read after getting them from there.
DeleteOh, that's a really good idea! I keep forgetting how many books are available through Project Gutenberg. Thanks for the reminder. :D
DeleteI've never read this so I'm glad it was good.
ReplyDeleteIt was nice to end my classics challenge on such a good one. :D
DeleteI loved this too - it's so much fun! I've tried some of the sequels and I don't think they're as good as this one but they're still entertaining.
ReplyDeleteThis was such a fun read. I loved the humor and the adventure of it. Definitely an entertaining read. :D
DeleteOh, I just added this to my tbr. I'm thinking of doing a classics challenge next year and this sounds so much better than some of the ones I was thinking of reading. Wonderful review, Lark
ReplyDeleteIt is very readable and fun...and it has a happy ending! :D
DeleteHi Lark, this is a book I have heard about but never thought to put on my list but your good review means alot and so next year I want to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteI think you'd enjoy it. There's so much humor in it. I really loved it. :D
DeleteI read this many, many years ago and I'm sure I have forgotten much of what I read, but I do remember the basics of the plot and that it was a lot of fun to read. I'm glad you enjoyed it, too.
ReplyDeleteIt was so much fun! And such a relief to read a lighter classic with humor and a happy ending for a change. :D
DeleteI love this and also highly recommend the movie with my favorite, Anthony Andrews. I also brought a group of Heyer fans to see the musical on Broadway years ago, which I also enjoyed. Heyer's early books seem highly influenced by Baroness Orczy.
ReplyDeleteI do want to see the movie of this book. And I can see how Heyer's books were influenced by this one...all that adventure, humor and romance. :D
DeleteHaven't read or reread a classic in a while. I think of Henry James when I want to reread them.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love Henry James! He's one of my favorite authors. Not many people agree, but I adore his writing and his novels. Do you have a favorite book of his?
DeleteI never knew much about this one- heard of it, of course, but never knew the plot- but now I'm intrigued and kind of want to give this a try! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's got humor and adventure and romance. What's not to like? :D
DeleteI haven't read this one yet. I've been seeing a lot of retellings inspired by this one, so I might have to give it a try. Your review makes me think I'd like it. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is one of the more fun classics out there. And it has a happy ending, too. :D
DeleteI loved this book when I read it back in the last Ice Age. So much fun! And I've enjoyed several of the film adaptations as well.
ReplyDeleteI've seen one film version of this book with Jane Seymour in it; there's a more recent movie of it that I'd like to see, too.
DeleteGreat review, Lark. I have not read this one and I wonder if I would enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteYou might. It's pretty fun, and it doesn't take itself too seriously, if that makes sense. And I really liked the two main characters.
DeleteIt does make sense and I have put it on my Goodreads TBR.
DeleteI wasn't familiar with this one, but it does sound very good. I've had the pleasure of visiting both England and France, so I'm sure I would recall those visits as I read!
ReplyDeleteI've been to Paris, but I'd love to see the rest of France. And there are so many places in England I'd love to visit! Someday, I hope. :D
DeleteGreat review! I don't think I was ever very interested in this one but it does sound like a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed it a lot.
DeleteI haven't read this one, but I will definitely keep my eye out for it!
ReplyDeleteEven my nephew really enjoyed reading this one, and he's not much of a reader, so that says it all. :D
DeleteI have always meant to read this and never prioritized it, but your review makes it sound like such fun. Will definitely get a copy so I will get rid of that excuse!
ReplyDeleteI hope you get a chance to read it; it's a lot of fun. :D
DeleteI have to admit for the most part classics don't appeal to me, but this one sounds really good! Glad it was a hit Lark! If I decide to pick a classic up, this will be at the top of my list! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's got adventure and romance in it, and humor, too.
DeleteYou have done a good deed. I am now convinced I need to read this book. Now I will have to find a copy.
ReplyDeleteHopefully your library has several copies available. And apparently, it's also available on Project Gutenberg. :D
DeleteSo glad you enjoyed this! This was one of my book group's classic reads a couple of years ago, and we all loved it!
ReplyDeleteIt's just such a fun read. I smiled all the way through it. :D
Deletereading your review reminded me how long it's been since I read this gem! What a lovely reminder of a great reading memory!
ReplyDeleteIt is such a fun book. I totally loved it! :D
DeleteThis truly was such a great book, and I loved the movie version too. I've seen there were sequels? I should get to them some day...
ReplyDeleteI've seen one of the movie versions, but I want to check out the other one, too. :D
DeleteHi, I've found your blog on Back to the Classics entries. Now you've reminded me that I still have Scarlet Pimpernel on my TBR pile, unread.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that it's set during the Reign of Terror. I've just read Alexandre Dumas' The Knight of Maison-Rouge, which is set on the same timeline. I would love to read this book!
Here's my blog, by the way: https://klasikfanda.blogspot.com/
It's great! I wish I had read it years ago, it's just so much fun. Thanks for commenting! :D
DeleteI've heard of this book but it's never even made it to my list of books to read. I think it's because it has the world "scarlet" in the title which reminds me of The Scarlet Letter which I despised. I am reevaluating my resistance to this one and am adding it to my want to read list! It sounds like such a great read.
ReplyDeleteThis is nothing like The Scarlet Letter. This book is so much more fun, and light-hearted, and it has a happy ending. :D
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