Perhaps the most famous alias of all time, "The Scarlet Pimpernel" hides the identity of a British nobleman who, masked by various disguises, leads a band of young men to undermine the Reign of Terror after the French Revolution. The Scarlet Pimpernel makes daring raid after daring raid into the heart of France to save aristocrats condemned to the guillotine. At each rescue, he leaves his calling card: a small, blood-red flower - a pimpernel - mocking the power of Robespierre and his Committee of Public Safety. Having ...
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Perhaps the most famous alias of all time, "The Scarlet Pimpernel" hides the identity of a British nobleman who, masked by various disguises, leads a band of young men to undermine the Reign of Terror after the French Revolution. The Scarlet Pimpernel makes daring raid after daring raid into the heart of France to save aristocrats condemned to the guillotine. At each rescue, he leaves his calling card: a small, blood-red flower - a pimpernel - mocking the power of Robespierre and his Committee of Public Safety. Having been told that his own wife was an informer who delivered an aristocrat into the hands of the Committee, the Scarlet Pimpernel must keep his identity and work a secret while he struggles against the love he feels for her. Until the day her own brother is taken prisoner...
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Add this copy of The Scarlet Pimpernel to cart. $265.51, new condition, Sold by Just one more Chapter rated 3.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Miramar, FL, UNITED STATES, published 1999 by Bookcassette.
"We seek him here, we seek him there, that demned, elusive Pimpernel."
Indeed,everyone seeks for the identity of the famed Scarlet Pimpernel. The French Committee of Public Safety wants him because he and his fellow Englishmen keep saving aristocrats from the hungry blade of Madame Guillotine. The British worship their unknown hero, their curiosity as to his identity growing every day.
I first read this book as a young girl, and I fell in love with it. Set during the time of the French Revolution, it's a combination romance, mystery and high adventure novel. Even the reader isn't certain at first who the mysterious hero is. Then our loyalties are torn between him and the lovely and talented Marguerite Blakeney, a French woman married to a British gentleman and fop. Forced to choose between saving the life of her beloved brother Armand and betraying the noble Pimpernel, she struggles with her actions and choice.
The Scarlet Pimpernel is a quick read, which I found a pity, because I wanted the fun to continue. There is a follow up novel -- short stories of continuing adventures called The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel. I recently re-read both of them, and found them still entertaining and fun.
Why is he called the Scarlet Pimpernel? It's a small red roadside flower in England. Beyond that, your guess is as good as mine.
Angel
Apr 3, 2007
Excellent book
This is my FAVORITE classic novel. I read it in high school and loved it. I have at least 3 copies, just in case I loose one. I loved the suspense, mystery, and romance. I enjoyed that the novel had a historical basis. I was hooked from the first paragraph and could not put the book down until I finished reading it.
