Customer Reviews

The Mark of Zorro

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Many people have seen "The Mask of Zorro" starring Antonio Banderas. Even more are familiar with Guy Williams' 1957-59 portrayal of the legendary hero, or even Duncan Regehr's series in the early 1990s. But very few have, unfortunately, ever read the book that started it all, "The Mark of Zorro", originally entitled "The Curse of Capistrano" in its initial 1919 release. This is such a shame. Few Zorro stories of today -- excepting some fan fiction -- can rival the genius in Johnston McCulley's work(s). His Zorro is the ultimate adventurer.

Zorro's best-kept secret is the fact that there wasn't *one* Zorro story written by Johnston McCulley -- there were sixty! A wonderful new company is currently in production of republishing every one of these classic stories. I've read some of them; they're every bit as good as "Mark". Truly "must-reads". Miss them at your own expense.

Yes, "The Mark of Zorro" is a light-hearted, spirited adventure romp, but this hardcover, at 25 bucks, is not a place to start.

The story by McCulley, is a terrific read, from stem to stern, even when you know the ending.

The physical book itself is AWFUL.

There are numerous typos throughout the entire book.

The letter "o" gets replaced by the number "6" a half dozen times in the last few pages alone.

There's a half a page duplicated, making for some confusing reading two-thirds of the way through.

The word "the" is often replaced by the the word "Die", making me wonder if there was some German transcriptionist involved somewhere along the line.

Letters are capitalized in the midst of words for no meaning.

It actually made reading this simple tale a chore.

I loved this story, but I hated the actual book it was printed in.

After being disappointed by the new Allende book on Zorro, I went in search of the original. What a lark! It's everything the Allende book is not: suspenseful, humorous (the response of Don Diego's prospective in-laws to hearing him sing and play guitar the first time is priceless), and exciting. You love the daring of the fox, and his passion to enlist others in a just cause (Allende leaves you wondering if Zorro possesses any motivation other than puerile lust). Eighty-five years after Zorro first appeared, he still has the power to make us wish that noblemen possessed nobility. The prose is simple and direct, unpretentious and effective. There will always be those who want to profit from a legend, but trust to the original. It's no Count of Monte Cristo, but it's ripping good adventure.

Allende made me ask "When will it end"; McCulley makes me ask "Does it have to end?"

The book, which is a reprint of the original story of Zorro, is fun and entertaining in a young adult way. The surprise is lost, of course, because I knew that Vega was Zorro. My main complaint is the number of typographical errors, which were rampant throughout the book. As a reader, it brought me to a complete halt while I puzzled out which word it was supposed to be, or who was actually speaking. The editors must have been asleep to produce such sloppy work.

The story of Zorro is timeless, but this edition did it absolutely no favors! It is full of typos (virtually one per page)and in one case, there is a repeat of nearly an entire page! I had hoped for something much better.

The Mark of Zorro is an outstanding book about the masked rogue helping the poor and oppressed. It tells the first, the original story of Zorro. Fighting for justice and for a love of a girl, Zorro has to prove his toughness against the corrupt governor, Captain Ramon and a fat landlord, called Sergeant Pedro Gonzales. The story takes place in a California of former times.

The love for Lolita Pulido is the essence of the book. Besides Zorro, there is Don Diego Vega, a lifeless caballero with a rich and influential father, Don Alejandro Vega, who asks Señorita Pulido to become his wife. The third man fighting for Señorita's love is Captain Ramon. As a high ranked military captain, he, too, has influence in the country of Old California. The reader will soon realize, that Senorita's heart speaks only to Zorro, the Curse of Capistrano. But Lolita's father, Don Carlos Pulido, a mistreated caballero of good blood, needs his daughter to marry Don Diego Vega or Captain Ramon, as it is his desire to become rich and influential again. In fact, Don Carlos is not informed about his daughter's love to the highwayman.

Zorro's job in the pueblo of Reina de Los Angeles is not done, after he gained the Señorita's love. The Curse of Capistrano helps the oppressed and mistreated natives against the corrupt governor and his army. Zorro fights several times with the governor's soldiers, Captain Ramon and Sergeant Pedro Gonzales. Although the highwayman seems to be an undefeatable enemy, the soldiers, led by Gonzales, always make fun of Zorro, by telling untruths about embarrassing defeats. The showdown, of course, will be in the end, after the Pulido's rescue from the jail, which keeps the reader on the edge.

Johnston McCulley shows an awesome skill for introducing new characters. He plays with the traditional image of good and evil. Zorro, the heroic figure, fights for peace and justice. Although considered a highwayman, he acts gentleman-like and charms the beautiful Senorita Lolita Pulido. On the other side, there are the soldiers and servants of a corrupt governor. Sergeant Gonzales, for sure, is the best example of the evil. Described as a fat landlord the reader often sees him drinking wine excessively in the pueblo's tavern. He does not even get close to capture the Curse of Capistrano. The most interesting character besides Zorro, is Don Diego Vega the lifeless caballero. He seems to struggle for the Senorita's love not with love by himself but with his money. Don Diego, also is a friend of the landlord and because of his name, the Don is highly respected by the governor. The lifeless caballero will show some great surprises throughout the story.

Overall, the Mark of Zorro is an exciting book, which keeps the reader interested from the sword-clashing intro to the dramatic showdown. The story of a heroic rogue, the love between Zorro and the Lolita and the soldiers' unsuccessful chase for the reward produces an awesome literary opus.

EN ESPAÑOL

Spanish paragraph de Cristobal

The Mark of Zorro es un libro muy emocionante. Sucede en California Vieja. El carácter principal es Zorro, Un caballero que lucha para la justicia. Él lucha para el amor de Señorita Lolita Pulido. Pero Zorro o La Maldición de Capistrano es cazada por el ejército de gobernador. Esta situación produce un cuento impresionante. El libro es magnífico y usted lo debe leer también.

EXCITEMENT HERE! Senor Zorro is the Spanish version of Robin Hood, but with a twist! No one knows that the wealthy, skitterish, and languid laughingstock of the pueblo (Don Diego Vega) is really the notorious Highwayman.

Ordered by his father to marry, Diego tries to win the heart of a beautiful senorita, Lolita, but she is in love with the bandit highwayman: Zorro. Diego tries in his own dis-interested way to win her heart, although he abhors making any effort; save getting into his clothes in the morning. Deemed as the only twenty-four year old in the pueblo to yawn 200 times a day, Lolita will have none of him!

Meanwhile: Senor Zorro appears and disappears like the wind, serving justice to those who oppress the weak and rob from the innocent. When he is not fighting off soldiers or leading them on a wild goose chase, Zorro sneaks his way around to whisper love to the woman of his dreams: Lolita! Can these lovers ever know what the other truely desires?

Don Diego will have you cracking up as you read, and Senor Zorro will keep you on the edge of your seat. What more can someone ask from a tale of adventure and respect served with a swift blade?

I had a Zorro book as a kid. I have no idea where it came from. It was an older book, and I don't even remember the cover, but I do remember some details quite clearly, such as Zorro's servant being dumb--but not deaf. Someone snuck up behind him to "test" him, and fired a gun directly behind him. Luckily the servant saw the person, and steeled himself not to flinch. When I saw that there was a Zorro movie coming out I had a sudden yearning to read the story of my childhood, however I had no idea what the name of the book was, or who the author was. So I had to search.
What I ended up with was The Mark of Zorro (The Original Zorro) by Johnston McCulley with Zorro: The Masters Edition Vol. One on back order.
The Mark of Zorro is not the book I read as a child. In The Mark of Zorro Zorro's identity is secret, which it wasn't in the book I read, so although that was a perfectly reasonable plot device, it obviously didn't work for me, since I already knew the secret. And I also knew that it wasn't going to be great literature or historically accurate.
But it was fun! I love swashbuckling adventures. I can forgive a lot given a good fencing duel or sword fight.
So this wasn't a great book, but it was fun, and I'm looking forward to Zorro: The Masters Edition Vol. One.

Warning!!! This book is extremely addictive!!! If you do not like non-stop action, look elsewhere!!! This book was so much fun to read. Zorro, The Curse of Capistrano, is about a masked man that rides around old Southern California helping "settle the score" against the corrupt government and its army who abuse and persecute the native peasants, and innocent and hard working people of good blood. Zorro is a one man army that creates a huge thorn in the side for Sergeant Gonzales, his captain, and for the Governor. Zorro is a master with the sword; and a expert horse rider. He has nerves of steel, and his courage is never ending. The author did a great job at keeping you at the edge of your seat. The book became harder to put down as chapters go by. I orginally use to watch Zorro on TV when I was a kid and had always enjoyed it. So, after reading other reviews about this book, I knew that I had to get this!! Boy, was I in for a treat. It is a super good book, a super good story line that will keep you glued to the book to the very end. I would without a doubt, buy this book again!!!!

I found this book by accident, and am thankful that I read it! Its content reminds me of that of The Scarlet Pimpernel by Emmuska Orczy. Additionally, the Zorro in this book inspired the production of the familiar Zorro comics, TV show, movie, etc. McCulley grabs the reader's attention on the first page, and leaves the reader sad that the story must end. He weaves a tale of love and bravery, those characteristics being is the essence of the Zorro that so many people know and love.