The Scarlet Pimpernel

By Baroness Emmuska Orczy Baroness

Rediscover Baroness Orczy's thrilling "The Scarlet Pimpernel," a classic of historical fiction set during the tumultuous French Revolution. Sir Percy Blakeney, a seemingly foppish English aristocrat, leads a daring double life, rescuing condemned French aristocrats from the guillotine.

Using cunning disguises and audacious plans, the Scarlet Pimpernel and his league navigate the perilous landscape of revolutionary France, risking their lives to save others. This timeless tale of adventure, bravery, and intrigue explores themes of identity and sacrifice against the backdrop of one of history's most dramatic periods. A gripping story filled with suspense and daring escapes, "The Scarlet Pimpernel" remains a beloved adventure and romance for readers of all ages.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1022906925
• ISBN13: 9781022906921
• Release Date: March 2025
• Publisher: Anson Street Press
• Length: 210 Pages
• Weight: 1.04 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

“It was the sound of a good, solid, absolutely British ‘D-a-m-n-!’”

I first saw several movie versions of “The Scarlet Pimpernel” and always wanted to see the Play. With the purchase of a Kindle and text-to-speech, I could not afford to pass up the book. I was amazed to see that the book started similarly to the movies, with the telling of the bloodlust of the French Revolution and how one man, for the sport of it, saved many from the guillotine, thwarting the authorities and tricking the sergeant at the city gate into letting him through. Then I was afraid the story was going to bog down as we took a long time to drudge through a scene in an inn. I did not realize this was meant to introduce the major players in the soon-to-be mystery. The essence of the story was best said in the book: “Only between these two hearts there lay a strong, impassable barrier, built upon pride on both sides, which neither of them cared to be the first to demolish.” The story picks up after Marguerite realizes what she has done by giving away the pimpernel's identity and decides to make amends. Usually, I cannot stand flowery writing or long descriptions of feelings. But for some reason, this book was so well written that what would seem like extraneous information enhanced the tale. I also noticed it is told mostly from Lady Blakeney’s point of view. Once again, this is a case of the book being better than the movie. I was surprised to find the Pimpernel poem came from the book: They seek him here; they seek him there. Them Frenchies seek him everywhere. Is he in Heaven? Is he in Hell? That d-a-m-n-e-d elusive pimpernel.