Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Book Review- The Scarlet Pimpernel

After watching the 1984 film version with my family a couple weeks ago, I knew I had to re-read The Scarlet Pimpernel! Consequently I did so in one evening, straight through in two hours. Like a champ! ;) This goes towards the re-reading challenge, mount TBR and the author a-z challenge.
I grew up watching and adoring the 1984 film version and I read it for the first time back in high school. It was then I realized that the book and movie were fairly different (though to be fair the movie is based off of two of the books). However, what I also discovered was that they were both very good.
Synopsis from Goodreads: Armed with only his wits and his cunning, one man recklessly defies the French revolutionaries and rescues scores of innocent men, women, and children from the deadly guillotine. His friends and foes know him only as the Scarlet Pimpernel. But the ruthless French agent Chauvelin is sworn to discover his identity and to hunt him down.
This is just a fun adventure novel! I don't want to say to mention for fear of spoiling the story. I love the romance, the suspense and of course the wit! I can't say enough about the wit... I guess it comes out even stronger in the movie (have I mentioned how much I LOVE the movie?!?!?!?!). It's also interesting historically. I always felt like I understood more about the horrors of the French Revolution from it.
All in all I could not recommend it higher! I really should get around to reading the rest in the series as I hear they are great too! :)

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10 comments:

  1. Funny enough, Lois, I have just finished this book! I highly agree - very witty indeed. Beautiful writing and such an intriguing story! And the movie is SO good. :-D

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    1. Yes, yes, YES!!!! :) I cannot stop saying "sink me"!

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  2. I've seen the movies (two of them, I think) a few times but I haven't read the book. It is one of those I want to get to eventually.
    Thanks for sharing!
    Amanda

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    1. There's I think three versions and I've only seen two. Someday I may get around to watching the other one but it will never be "my version".

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  3. Always wanted to read this book - after watching the BBC series with Wotshisface in it. Something E. Grant - I have forgotten his first name - quite a recognisable English actor and all. I did start it once upon a time a long time ago when I was a teen but it was during my phase of trying to read every book on my shelf at the same time, so I didn't finish it.

    I really ought to pick it up this year.

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    1. Yeah I know there's a lot of books I never have gotten read because I am just trying for too much. :)

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  4. I've only seen the 1934 version with Leslie Howard as Sir Percy, but everyone else seems to have watched the Anthony Andrews version. I'd like to watch both and see how they compare. The 1934 film, however, seems to be like the other one in that it deviates from the book. It's still a great film, though--but then I like Leslie Howard.

    The sequels to the book are pretty great as well. I especially like the ones that focus on other members of Percy's band.

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    1. The Leslie Howard version is good too... I forgot to mention it! I saw it a long time ago but as I recall it's actually truer to the book in some respects.
      I can't wait to read some of those sequels!

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  5. Eeep, isn't this book such fun?! I loves it:)

    Oh, I know how you feel - I have to read the rest too!

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    1. Yes, yes, YES!!! Someday we'll get around to them! :)

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