The Scarlet Pimpernel

The Scarlet Pimpernel, by Baroness Emmuska Orczy is a great book - even 100+ years after it was first published. Originally it was part of a fourteen book series, but now it is treated as a stand alone novel. Obviously Baroness Orczy was prolific, but this is currently her most well know work.

The year is 1792. France is in the grip of the Revolution. The nobility are being beheaded as quickly as they can be caught by the republicans. But the Scarlet Pimpernel (named after the flower) is know to swoop in and rescue members of the nobility and whisk them back to England where they will be safe. The Scarlet Pimpernel's identity is known only to those sworn to help him, but rumors of his bravery and daring abound.

First published in 1905, The Scarlet Pimpernel can only be described as a swashbuckling adventure story written in a wonderfully descriptive style. I highly recommend. I am only sad that no libraries around here have the whole series!

Ozczy, Baroness Emmuska. (2007). The Scarlet Pimpernel. New York: Bantam Classics.