#baronessorczy

[earlamr0]

I've had this paperback since middle school... love to read it now and then for a little adventure and a beautiful love story. #thescarletpimpernel #baronessorczy #beforethehungergamestherewasthis #7thgradereadinglist #lovestories #valentinesday #memoirsofamie

[madisonisamermaidname]

It might just be the book nerd in me, but I'm pretty convinced there is Scarlet Pimpernel graffiti in Johnson City. #thescarletpimpernel #baronessorczy #booknerdigans #bookstagram #booknerd #graffiti

[ameliathermopolis]

The theme of this summer's reading list? #WomenInventedAllYourFaves. Only seems appropriate to kick off with the original masked hero with a secret identity. #currentlyreading #baronessorczy #thescarletpimpernel #summerreading #bookstagram

[musings-of-a-novitate]

The scarlet Pimpernel - A book review   A man known only as a ‘fop’ to high society, who had the good fortune of being born into a family of wealth and baronetcy, Sir Percy Blakeney sets the French Republicans reeling when he smuggles French aristocrats condemned to be guillotined, into England.     Through history taught in classrooms as well as what is known to the general public of the French revolution, France was on the way to becoming a state constituting ‘Liberty, Fraternity and Equality’ and only by getting rid of the ‘filthy rich’ French aristocracy could this independence be achieved. Herein is where the author, Baroness Emma Orczy paints a completely different picture of the French revolution. The aristocracy are pitied and a handful of people who were completely innocent of any crime towards the poor of France were whisked away by a vanguard of brave men travelling to and fro all the way from England in order to save their heads from the guillotine.   Set in 1972, the novel renders an atmosphere of gloom that pervades the country of France as opposed to the idle society of the rich class in England, with their never ending tea parties and balls to amuse them. There are several characters that keep the readers amused throughout the novel. Marguerite, a French actress and a supporter of the revolution falls in love with Sir Percy during one of his escapades to France. A woman of intelligence and strong morals, the actress captures the heart of Sir Percy, who is enamoured by her wit and beauty. The two after a small period of courtship return to England to be wed. Sir Percy, the founder of ‘The League Of the Scarlet Pimpernel’ consisting of a few brave aristocratic men from England endeavour to keep their identity safe from watchful eyes, especially Citizen Chauvelin, the chief agent of the Committee of Public Safety tasked with capturing the Scarlet Pimpernel.   Due to a series of misunderstandings with respect to Marguerite, Sir Percy believes her to be the cause of the death of an aristocratic family in France just before they are to be wed. Even before Marguerite could get to know the real Sir Percy, he hides behind the shadow of the foppish nature he had created for himself in order to divert the public away from his identity as ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’. The plot thickens when we find out that Marguerite is in fact a friend of Citizen Chauvelin but is unaware of his advances towards the ‘gentleman’ and the vigilante she believes is the brave and selfless hero of so many of the French Aristocrats he saved, many of whom were women and children.   The readers are in for a treat whenever they come across the character of Sir Percy playing his part as the English dandy to perfection. He drawls through his long speeches, determined to amuse the gentry. A popular poem makes its rounds throughout England with regards to the Scarlet Pimpernel which ironically was penned by Sir Percy himself! The poem reads thus; ‘We seek him here, we seek him there, Those Frenchies seek him everywhere. Is he in heaven?—Is he in hell? That demmed, elusive Pimpernel’. Many a times we see Sir Percy reciting the poem right before Monsieur Chauvelin, who of course hasn’t a clue that this man who severely mispronounces French words, with thoughts of a complete airhead is in fact his prize.

[literarytimecapsules]

This one touches my heart for several reasons.  I loved The Scarlet Pimpernel as a child.  I was shown the book in 6th grade and have read it countless many times over the years. So I was very excited to get another book from her, this copy is a second edition, with a printed date of September 1907. Secondly I love the address of Papa.  I grew up calling my father Papa in a time when it was not popular to do so, so it was very cool to see.