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the_jesus_fandom's review
2.0
Back to mid books, I guess. The female characters kinda has some personality but let's be honest no they didn't. Nothing much happened, the climax was underwhelming, etc. Pretty typical Orczy fare
imyerhero's review against another edition
4.0
Once again, Sir Percy the Pimpernel manages to keep a reader frantically page turning in breathless agony as to how exactly he’s going to get out of whatever situation he’s found himself in. The addition of another beautiful woman besides Marguerite makes this doubly interesting – especially because Cabarrus is a historical figure. And a fallen Chauvelin is still creepy and slimy and even more so because he has nothing to lose with his blunders. Orczy even set all of this against a backdrop of the days before the downfall of Robespierre – and manages to work the Pimpernel in as the instigator of the Thermidorian Reaction.
One thing I especially appreciate about Orczy’s writing style is her unwillingness to let us as readers be omniscient. We only get to see the action as it unfolds around whomever we happen to be reading about – we rarely get to have a foretaste of the Scarlet Pimpernel’s plans and plots; and never into his thoughts. This is slightly different from the other characters – we know of Chauvelin’s plotting, Theresia’s ambition, and Marguerite’s despair. But we never hear what is passing through Percy’s mind. And it makes it all the more thrilling when his plans finally are revealed and executed.
One thing I especially appreciate about Orczy’s writing style is her unwillingness to let us as readers be omniscient. We only get to see the action as it unfolds around whomever we happen to be reading about – we rarely get to have a foretaste of the Scarlet Pimpernel’s plans and plots; and never into his thoughts. This is slightly different from the other characters – we know of Chauvelin’s plotting, Theresia’s ambition, and Marguerite’s despair. But we never hear what is passing through Percy’s mind. And it makes it all the more thrilling when his plans finally are revealed and executed.
danielle12997's review against another edition
3.0
The subject of race was handled more questionably than usual in one particular spot.
smcleish's review
3.0
Originally published on my blog here in May 2000.
Though better than [b:I Will Repay|1149252|I Will Repay|Emmuska Orczy|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1181412895s/1149252.jpg|3088438], The Triumph of the Scarlet Pimpernel is far inferior to [b:The Scarlet Pimpernel|136116|The Scarlet Pimpernel|Emmuska Orczy|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172075548s/136116.jpg|750426]. The cloying romantic side of I Will Repay is omitted, yet the story is less interesting and less exciting than the first novel. Like the other Scarlet Pimpernel novels The Triumph of the Scarlet Pimpernel presents a one sided view of revolutionary France, and here it is even less balanced than before. Almost every sentence is tinged with contempt for the poor of Paris, and those who ruled France are demonised to such an extent that it is difficult to see why anyone would have supported their rise to power. (However, to be fair to Orczy, there are many contemporary and near contemporary views of the Nazis or Saddam Hussein which equally remove any trace of humanity from them - people are more complicated than makes for simple stereotypes!) I would not want to condone their actions, but I do feel that no one can be pure evil.
Though better than [b:I Will Repay|1149252|I Will Repay|Emmuska Orczy|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1181412895s/1149252.jpg|3088438], The Triumph of the Scarlet Pimpernel is far inferior to [b:The Scarlet Pimpernel|136116|The Scarlet Pimpernel|Emmuska Orczy|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172075548s/136116.jpg|750426]. The cloying romantic side of I Will Repay is omitted, yet the story is less interesting and less exciting than the first novel. Like the other Scarlet Pimpernel novels The Triumph of the Scarlet Pimpernel presents a one sided view of revolutionary France, and here it is even less balanced than before. Almost every sentence is tinged with contempt for the poor of Paris, and those who ruled France are demonised to such an extent that it is difficult to see why anyone would have supported their rise to power. (However, to be fair to Orczy, there are many contemporary and near contemporary views of the Nazis or Saddam Hussein which equally remove any trace of humanity from them - people are more complicated than makes for simple stereotypes!) I would not want to condone their actions, but I do feel that no one can be pure evil.
tora's review
4.0
Really enjoyed this book. It was light and funny and some parts were genuinely thrilling.
My only quibbles really are products of the style of the time it was written: I could have done without the recapping of what had just happened, and the constant reference to 'womanly' feelings and 'womanly' hearts. Still the woman in question was pretty darn cool which made up for it.
ebdawson's review
5.0
I loved this book so much! I was a little uncertain with that first chapter, but I fell in love quickly after that.
Full review to follow!
Full review to follow!
lieslindi's review
After Election Day 2016 I wanted straight-up escapism. This delivers.
Orczy uses some phrases straight out of Jane Austen that, my not having noted them at the time, now escape me.
Orczy uses some phrases straight out of Jane Austen that, my not having noted them at the time, now escape me.