Customer Reviews

Elusive Pimpernel

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is another excellent Scarlet Pimpernel story from the pen of Orczy. It has all the usual elements - Chauvelin, Marguerite and of course the foppish Sir Percy.

In this tale Chauvelin attempts to redeem himself in the eyes of the French Revolutionary Government by weaving yet another dastardly plot to capture the Scarlet Pimpernel; he seeks not only to destroy his arch enemy but also to humiliate Marguerite. As always though Chauvelin underestimates the cunning and brilliance of Sir Percy and the League of the Pimpernel.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book - it was exciting and romantic; although to the veteran Pimpernel reader the ending may seem predictable, Orczy manages to keep you in suspense to the very end. A very lucid book and one which is difficult to put down.

"Elusive" isn't my favorite Pimpernel sequel, but it's not bad at all either.

First, the bad: While I can understand that Marguerite is a woman in love, some of her stupidity at the beginning bordered on unbelievable (I don't mean this as an offense to Margot, who is one of my favorite characters, but if you read this book, you'll understand what I mean when I say she makes a bad decision). As usual, Percy becomes a secondary character in his own books, and that bothers me. Lastly, the choice Chauvelin gives Marguerite and Percy gets to be a little too much.

The good:
When Percy is around, he really shines. He has some really great moments in this book (which I won't spoil). The reader gets an idea of some of the emotions that are going on behind the facade. Also, "Elusive" has much more of a climax than some of the other Pimpernel books, which is a nice relief. Lastly, Desiree Candeille is an interesting character.

In all, I would recommend Eldorado between Elusive Pimpernel, but it's still a good read anyway.

I've read the first four SP books, and this is my favorite. It doesn't have as confusing a plot as some of the others do (Namely Eldorado...) Plus I think that Percy and Chauvelin are perfectly matched up enimies, and they show it off better than anywhere else in Bouloge. This is the most swashbuckling version of the one's I've read, where Chauvelin tries to win by brains and Percy beats him out with brawn. Beautiful!

This is the sequal to "The Scarlet Pimpernel." It is a truely wonderful book that any action lover would like. Chauvelin is as crafty as ever and Marguerite is as beautiful and devoted to Sir Percy Blackeney, her oh so fashionable dandy and wealthy husband. If you have seen A&E's version this is the book you will find closest to it. Good reading!

The Elusive Pimpernel follows closely on the heals of the first book of the series, The Scarlet Pimpernel. It seems to me that Baroness Orczy was pouring out her own heart feelings through that of Lady Blackney. Her excellent use of discription makes your own heart ache till near bursting with devotion, love, passion and even fear. There is never a dull moment in this wonderfully wriiten book. I love it and will read it over and over.

This book most definitely pleases as it contains the same elements as the original which make you fall in love with it. Orczy can write both action and romance - and you don't get so much action that it overshadows the storyline, and not so much romance that you think you'll be sick to your stomach. I can't wait to read the rest....

THE ELUSIVE PIMPERNEL, the third book in the Pimpernel series by Baroness Orczy, thoroughly establishes the predominant feature that the reader has come to expect in Orczy's novels: faultless cunning and adventurous bravado by the heroic Pimpernel that never fails to foil the nefarious schemes of his enemies, the revolutionaries of Robespierre's 18th century French Republic.

The reader also knows to expect a bit of archaic word usage, such as "lanthorn" for "lantern," as well as a little French slang here and there that will not succumb to most translating dictionaries, such as "calotin," which, by virtue of the context, I take to be a derogatory term for a churchman. Orczy also throws a few quite good but somewhat uncommon terms into her prose, such as "Columbine," a stock character from Italian drama. Merely because I generally feel rather cheated if I miss the full implication of an author's words, I found it comforting to have one of my English dictionaries as well as my French translating dictionary near at hand while reading Orczy, although it is quite possible to enjoy the plot without recourse to such references, especially if one is adept at grasping the general meaning of unusual words from their context in the story.

As in her other novels, Orczy's characters are stereotypes and are "flat"; that is, they remain the same throughout the story and do not undergo any particular development or change. Sir Percy Blakeney remains the stalwart, unshakable and indestructible adventurer throughout. His arch enemy, Monsieur Chauvelin, begins and ends as a dark, despicable creature who constantly connives to bring down Sir Percy. Lady Marguerite Blakeney plays the part of every significant female figure in Orczy's novels: She means well ands her motivations are impeccable, but her "feminine weakness," the fatal flaw that she suffers merely because of her sex, leads her into unwittingly betraying her husband and placing them both in such jeopardy that nothing short of the audacity and swashbuckling daring of the Scarlet Pimpernel can possibly save them.

As stereotyped characters, the actors who populate Orczy's novel are all somewhat larger than life. Sir Percy is invariably heroic and gently but firmly conquering. Lady Blakeney is invariably the pure, honorable but weak woman. Chauvelin and other leaders of the French revolution are invariably terrorists and anarchists. Abbe Foucquet is invariably the naive old priest who constantly murmurs his Paters and Aves in good times and bad. The attraction of Orczy's novels lies firmly in their suspenseful plots, not in the roundedness or the development of their characters.

Thinking of her depiction of the old priest as well as some descriptions in the preceding novel, I WILL REPAY, I find Orczy's attitude toward religion to be interesting. On the one hand, she depicts churchmen as naive and guileless innocents, rather useless and, at best, irrelevant in the worldly struggle that surrounds them. On the other hand, she portrays the revolutionaries in the harshest of lights and sarcastically observes that they have replaced the good God (le bon dieu) with the "Goddess of Reason," who, in being represented by an incompetent actress during her inaugural procession, is shown to be false. Hence, we find criticism both of those who would nay-say the existence of God and of those who would guide the devotions of his followers.

While it is not absolutely necessary to have read the two preceding novels in order to enjoy THE ELUSIVE PIMPERNEL, the earlier works do establish the background for certain relationships, and a few events in them do receive occasional references in this novel. One's understanding of the third book in the series will certainly be enhanced by an acquaintance with the earlier books. On a final note, which I do hope piques my readers' curiosities, if one is not aware of the differences between the songs "Ca Ira" and "La Marseillaise," a brief Internet search will bring up the historical backgrounds, words and tunes of the two, enabling one to appreciate much more fully Orczy's references to them.

In brief, THE ELUSIVE PIMPERNEL continues its author's romp through the adventurous fields of a France racked by revolution and invaded by "that demmed elusive pimpernel." It's lightweight reading that mixes fun and relaxation in equal amounts. If we can think of some books on serious scientific or social topics as "classroom reading," then the Pimpernel books are our "recess reading" and should be enjoyed as such.

The level of adventure in this one is great! I read it the other night and couldn't put it down. In fact, I stayed up ridiculously late reading it until I finished.

Readers are treated to a deeper look into Chauvelin's character. I, for one, even found myself liking him a little... at least in comparison to his comarades in the Revolution... even though he was the most vicious in his attempts to harm our hero and his wife.

Percy was also interesting is this - as usual. Of course his actions as the Scarlet Pimpernel were entertaining as always. But also his relationships with both Chauvelin and Marguerite were allowed to develop a little more. As was stated in another review here, he does get in a few really good jabs at Chauvelin and there is also a long conversation between the two in which their reactions to each other can be further enjoyed. I was also interested in the discovery of just where his relationship with Marguerite sits in his priorities (one of the biggest points of the book I think). Previous books had alluded to the answer... but in this one the answer was made clear again.

As for Marguerite, I can't give her much in the way of points at all. She was both very whiny and yes, stupid. Not at all one of the cleverest women in Europe (even Chauvelin was in agreement on this within the book). Still, I found myself sort of understanding some of her concerns... and a few of her thoughts. And certainly I was still hoping for the best for her by the end. Again, I did like seeing some of interactions between her in Percy... especially at public gatherings.

Another fun adventure novel, and the sequel to The Scarlet Pimpernel. It continues telling the story of the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel as they attemp to save more aristocrats from the Reign of Terror. It's not terribly interested in historical accuracy, but that's probably what makes it fun. The main characters are endearing, but you find yourself saying, 'Don't do it. It's just what they want you to do!' quite often. Sometimes the female characters are annoying because they are too much the stereotypical Victorian female, but you are still drawn into their lives and hope for their success. I recommend this book if you've read The Scarlet Pimpernel and you really liked it.

There are some really fantastic SP moments in this book. You get to delve a little deeper into Percy's true character. As usual, Marguerite is a little over-dramatic in the beginning. It has a really interesting plot line that will have you wondering how Percy and Marguerite will get out of trouble yet again. The ending however, was a little anti-climatic for me. It is only 261 pages, so you'll fly through it. Overall and enjoyable read. If you are an avid SP fan,like me, you won't regret getting this book.