Rocambole

by Anicete Bourgeois

Paris. Mid-19th century. As the old aristocracy dies off, vast inheritances become the object of a colossal struggles between the forces of good and evil. The stalwart Comte de Kergaz and the dashing reformed courtesan known as Baccarat clash with the infamous Club of the Jack of Hearts; their leader is none other than Armand's half-brother, the evil Andrea, a.k.a. Sir Williams. Standing alone in the midst of this struggle is Rocambole, a resourceful young man who owes allegiance to none but himself and whose actions will eventually tilt the balance. The immortal hero created in 1857 by Ponson du Terrail stars here in two plays, one written contemporaneously in 1864 chronicling the fall of the Jack of Hearts, and the other, a modern adaptation penned in 1951 revisiting the very first exploits of a young Rocambole. Both are translated by playwright Frank J. Morlock who also adapted Lord Ruthven the Vampire, The Return of Lord Ruthven and the Arsène Lupin vs Sherlock Holmes stage play for Black Coast Press.

Genres: Mystery

248 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1857

Reviews

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two plays introducing us to the young con man that will go on to become one of France's original gentlemen thieves/noble rogues.

A sinister old con man is after a family fortune, but his plan stumbles when he crosses paths with a jaded courtesan that has fallen in love with the young heir and then he recruits the young Rocambole, who has schemes of his own.

Light and fluffy with lots of plots and double crosses that all works out in the end.

Reads like a really good 30's black and white mystery movie.

Fun intro to a character that has me annoyed that I can't track down more of Rocambole's stories.

[Carmela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait to read It again