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The Scarlet Pimpernel (chronological order) #0.4
The Laughing Cavalier
Baroness, (Emusca/Emmuska/Emma Magdalena Rosalia Marie Josepha Barbara) Orczy, Mrs Barstow (1865-1947) was a British novelist, playwright and artist of Hungarian origin. She was most notable for her series of novels featuring the Scarlet Pimpernel. Some of her paintings were exhibited at the Royal Academy in London. Her parents left Hungary in 1868, fearful of the threat of a peasant revolution. They lived in Budapest, Brussels, and Paris, where Emma studied music without success. Finally, in 1880, the family moved to London where they lodged with their countryman Francis Pichler. In 1903, she and her husband, Montague MaClean Barstow, wrote a play based on one of her short stories about an English aristocrat, Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., who rescued French aristocrats from the French revolution: The Scarlet Pimpernel. She went on to write over a dozen sequels featuring Sir Percy Blakeney, his family, and the other members of the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel, of which the first, I Will Repay (1906), was the most popular. The last Pimpernel book, Mam'zelle Guillotine, was published in 1940. She also wrote popular mystery fiction and many adventure romances.
148 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1914
70 people are currently reading
1380 people want to read
About the author
Emmuska Orczy
858 books1,099 followersFull name: Emma ("Emmuska") Magdolna Rozália Mária Jozefa Borbála Orczy de Orczi was a Hungarian-British novelist, best remembered as the author of THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL (1905). Baroness Orczy's sequels to the novel were less successful. She was also an artist, and her works were exhibited at the Royal Academy, London. Her first venture into fiction was with crime stories. Among her most popular characters was The Old Man in the Corner, who was featured in a series of twelve British movies from 1924, starring Rolf Leslie.
Baroness Emmuska Orczy was born in Tarnaörs, Hungary, as the only daughter of Baron Felix Orczy, a noted composer and conductor, and his wife Emma. Her father was a friend of such composers as Wagner, Liszt, and Gounod. Orczy moved with her parents from Budapest to Brussels and then to London, learning to speak English at the age of fifteen. She was educated in convent schools in Brussels and Paris. In London she studied at the West London School of Art. Orczy married in 1894 Montague Barstow, whom she had met while studying at the Heatherby School of Art. Together they started to produce book and magazine illustrations and published an edition of Hungarian folktales.
Orczy's first detective stories appeared in magazines. As a writer she became famous in 1903 with the stage version of the Scarlet Pimpernel.
Baroness Emmuska Orczy was born in Tarnaörs, Hungary, as the only daughter of Baron Felix Orczy, a noted composer and conductor, and his wife Emma. Her father was a friend of such composers as Wagner, Liszt, and Gounod. Orczy moved with her parents from Budapest to Brussels and then to London, learning to speak English at the age of fifteen. She was educated in convent schools in Brussels and Paris. In London she studied at the West London School of Art. Orczy married in 1894 Montague Barstow, whom she had met while studying at the Heatherby School of Art. Together they started to produce book and magazine illustrations and published an edition of Hungarian folktales.
Orczy's first detective stories appeared in magazines. As a writer she became famous in 1903 with the stage version of the Scarlet Pimpernel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
May 28, 2014
Why do I love the Scarlet Pimpernel books? They’re such stereotyped nonsense I should be running the other direction. For example, despite her bravery and wit, the heroine in The Laughing Cavalier spends an inordinate amount of time either about to be unconscious, being unconscious, or recovering from a state of unconsciousness. The aristocracy are genetically superior, the servants are loyal and protective, and the men are either total curs or gallant heroes. And you better believe the hero in The Laughing Cavalier is the most gallant chivalric bloke you have seen since… well since the Scarlet Pimpernel. Be still my beating heart!
There’s also frequent muddling of POVs, (at one point I wasn’t sure whether the POV was the hero’s or the moon’s), contradictory tenses, and longwinded, flowery and generally pointless scenes. Perhaps all this proves there is much that can be forgiven in writing, as long as you get the most important things right – the story and the characters. And in the case of The Laughing Cavalier, these elements are dazzling.
There are many harrowing adventures, betrayal, conspiracies, dastardly threats, and of course impossible love, all leading to the inevitable happy ending. It was a bittersweet moment. While the hero and the heroine had finally overcome all to find love, there were so many unanswered threads. I spent the next twenty minutes pondering these and mourning the book’s somewhat inconclusive closure. And then I discovered… there’s a sequel! Oh happy day! (sighs emotionally and faints)
There’s also frequent muddling of POVs, (at one point I wasn’t sure whether the POV was the hero’s or the moon’s), contradictory tenses, and longwinded, flowery and generally pointless scenes. Perhaps all this proves there is much that can be forgiven in writing, as long as you get the most important things right – the story and the characters. And in the case of The Laughing Cavalier, these elements are dazzling.
There are many harrowing adventures, betrayal, conspiracies, dastardly threats, and of course impossible love, all leading to the inevitable happy ending. It was a bittersweet moment. While the hero and the heroine had finally overcome all to find love, there were so many unanswered threads. I spent the next twenty minutes pondering these and mourning the book’s somewhat inconclusive closure. And then I discovered… there’s a sequel! Oh happy day! (sighs emotionally and faints)
September 3, 2025
A swashbuckler of the first order! Immensely entertaining. I did have to look up, guess at and/or struggle through a number of unfamiliar Dutch words, but aside from that, no complaints. Translator did let me know a couple of swear words: 'dondersteen' = thunderstone 😁 This was the Cavalier's favorite!
Fourth in order of the famous Scarlet Pimpernel series, technically it comes first because "The Laughing Cavalier" was an ancestor of the Scarlet Pimpernel. Until now, I had only read, The Scarlet Pimpernel. I never dreamed there were so many others. But if you're on to a good thing, why not?!
I had planned to write a longer review, until I started the next book, The First Sir Percy: an Adventure of the Laughing Cavalier which I discovered picks up the narrative from this book only three months later on. As that is the case, I will write one longer review for both books.
Thank you, Emmuska Orczy, for such an enjoyable read!
Fourth in order of the famous Scarlet Pimpernel series, technically it comes first because "The Laughing Cavalier" was an ancestor of the Scarlet Pimpernel. Until now, I had only read, The Scarlet Pimpernel. I never dreamed there were so many others. But if you're on to a good thing, why not?!
I had planned to write a longer review, until I started the next book, The First Sir Percy: an Adventure of the Laughing Cavalier which I discovered picks up the narrative from this book only three months later on. As that is the case, I will write one longer review for both books.
Thank you, Emmuska Orczy, for such an enjoyable read!
July 10, 2025
Discretion was of necessity his chief stock-in-trade, and his small cargo of scruples he had thrown overboard long ago.
(Found the books on this website http://blakeneymanor.com/series.html)
Diogenes is hardly romantic, and he laughs at her more than he likes her. He thinks she's foolish and rude and too pampered, and she thinks he's unkind and rude and too low-class for her. Diogenes has such a personality, it makes you fall in love with him quickly and completely. Gilda have a lot of courage and isn't one of those old school weak-kneed, fainting heroines, which made me fall in love just as completely. Together they're the ultimate power couple that you can't help but root for.
The story is complex and weaves in and out, and there are so many plots within the plot, that it's a wild ride once you get going.
Chapter 37 is one of the BEST chapters in the whole book, when he's thinking about Gilda (see the spoiler at the bottom of the review). One thing I have to say, though, is that his constantly referring to St. Bavon - especially at the end, it's a little bit out of place and kind of odd. It's also kind of disappointing that , but in a way, it paves the way for The First Sir Percy, which is probably why she did that.
"Ah! but it is good," he said at last, "to look upon a helpless rogue."
"'Tis a sight then," retorted Diogenes lightly, "which your Magnificence hath often provided for your friends and your adherents."
"Bah!" rejoined Stoutenburg, who was determined to curb his temper if he could, "your insolence now, my man, hath not the power to anger me. It strikes me as ludicrous -- even pathetic in its senselessness. [If] I were in your unpleasant position, I would try by submission to earn a slight measure of leniency from my betters."
"No doubt you would, my lord," quoth Diogenes dryly, "but you see I have up to now not yet come across my betters. When I do, I may take your advice."
(Below is a really, really long quote. Has spoilers, so read with discretion.)
GOSH I need to reread this series.
June 6, 2012
An enchanting prequel to Broness Orczy's "The Scarlett Pimpernell" this short novel proves to be just as riveting and exciting as it's counterpart. This short novel focuses on the great philisopher Diogonese, the ancestor of Orczy's favorite rogue vigilante. If the Scarlet Pimpernell is a zorro-esque figure, then Diognese and his two brother philosophers, Socrates and Aristotle, are The Three Muskateers. The story, the intrigue and the stynning narration provided by this brilliant author give the readers much to love in the short 200 pages.
Certainly this novel is entertaining with such lovable characters and wonderful plot twists. I would recommend this wonderfully fun story to anyone with a deep love and interest for action and historical fictions such as "The Three Muskateers" and, of course, "The Scarlet Pimpernell."
Certainly this novel is entertaining with such lovable characters and wonderful plot twists. I would recommend this wonderfully fun story to anyone with a deep love and interest for action and historical fictions such as "The Three Muskateers" and, of course, "The Scarlet Pimpernell."
September 10, 2010
Dang! This was a good book! Yes, it is old-fashioned. Yes, it's ultimate ending is predictable. Yes it lacks magic and vampires and high explosives and sex and crude language and grittiness and angst and depressing existential musings and all the other things that authors these days believe are necessary to sell books. But this book was as thrilling as it was charming; as engaging as it was genteel, and the tortuous path to the ultimate ending was anything but predictable. I can't wait to read the sequel.
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July 8, 2019I can’t.
September 19, 2013
I admit that I was worried about how The Laughing Cavalier would compare with The Scarlet Pimpernel and El Dorado. However, I'm vastly pleased with how this prequel turned out. Although its shorter then I expected it it was not too abrupt in the ending. I would have liked say, one more chapter to clear up any stray bits and pieces. But, considering how it cleared up the important bits I'm quite satisfied with The laughing Cavalier. There was a couple of cusses throughout but not continually. And other than some sword play there was no violence. This is one I can see myself rereading in the future. And I must say Diogenes was captivating,what with his ready laugh and twinkling eyes!
This is the fist story of the scarlet pimpernel, but you should probably read The Scarlet Pimpernel first or El Dorado: Further Adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel
This is the fist story of the scarlet pimpernel, but you should probably read The Scarlet Pimpernel first or El Dorado: Further Adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel
May 20, 2020
This was a great story. I read "The First Sir Percy" and then I discovered that this book was about the same character and the events in the Laughing Cavalier occurred earlier. As I read this book it shed light on things it would have been good to know when reading "The First Sir Percy" It did not make a major difference but I would recommend reading "The Laughing Cavalier" first. Both were written several after Baroness Orczy wrote the book for which she is best known "The Scarlett Pimpernel" but they are prequels to that book about an ancestor to the Sir Percy of that book. Other books (many of which are very good) were written about that Sir Percy, the Scarlet Pimpernel.
I enjoyed this book very much. If you have read "The Scarlett Pimpernel" I am sure that you will enjoy this book as well. As I generally do when reading novels that are sent in a real historical context, I read about the actual history of the Netherlands (where these to two stories took place) and it helped lend authenticity to the stories. reading the history of the French revolution will do the same for the Scarlett Pimpernel stories.
I enjoyed this book very much. If you have read "The Scarlett Pimpernel" I am sure that you will enjoy this book as well. As I generally do when reading novels that are sent in a real historical context, I read about the actual history of the Netherlands (where these to two stories took place) and it helped lend authenticity to the stories. reading the history of the French revolution will do the same for the Scarlett Pimpernel stories.
May 23, 2020
I am embarking on a read of all of the Scarlet Pimpernel novels and short stories. Not having looked at the blurb too closely, I expected this one to be set during the French Revolution like The Scarlet Pimpernel, and was pleasantly surprised to instead be transported to 17th Century Holland, the Golden Age of the Netherlands complete with tulip mania, windmills, cross country ice-skating, painters and political tensions and plots against the Stadholder. It's a fascinating historical period and I really enjoyed being immersed in it. Having some knowledge of Dutch history and geography, this was so satisfying to read (I could picture and locate everything!), Orczy really nailed it.
This book is all about the Scarlet Pimpernel's ancestor, who is half-British half-Dutch, and a really strong character. Loud and brash and showy, this Laughing Cavalier would be very one-dimensional if it weren't for the fact that he hides a tragic past and shows plenty of tenderness and moral fortitude when confronted with the way Gilda, the other main character and love interest, is treated by the other men in the story. I loved that both main characters are based on paintings by Frans Hals and spent some time looking them up (I had to make a guess at which one Gilda could be, which was great fun). Gilda was also a surprisingly good character, not a doormat at all despite the circumstances. I appreciated that Orczy has her make her own choices (withing the boundaries of societal norms and the very precarious situations she finds herself in). She is courageous, strong and calm, and always true to herself. Most of the other characters, unfortunately, were very flat. The antagonists in particular are either pure evil in the case of Stoutenburg, or just slimey and easily influenced in the case of Nicolaes Beresteyn.
The plot roars along at a great pace; it really is an adventure novel. I could not put it down. There are enough twists and developments to keep you guessing as to how it will reach some kind of satisfactory resolution, and the pacing is carefully managed.
The only thing that bothered me was the anti-semitism related to the portrayal of the Jewish banker and his lifestyle - not unexpected given the timeframe in which this was written, but a shame and a stain on the book nonetheless.
This book is all about the Scarlet Pimpernel's ancestor, who is half-British half-Dutch, and a really strong character. Loud and brash and showy, this Laughing Cavalier would be very one-dimensional if it weren't for the fact that he hides a tragic past and shows plenty of tenderness and moral fortitude when confronted with the way Gilda, the other main character and love interest, is treated by the other men in the story. I loved that both main characters are based on paintings by Frans Hals and spent some time looking them up (I had to make a guess at which one Gilda could be, which was great fun). Gilda was also a surprisingly good character, not a doormat at all despite the circumstances. I appreciated that Orczy has her make her own choices (withing the boundaries of societal norms and the very precarious situations she finds herself in). She is courageous, strong and calm, and always true to herself. Most of the other characters, unfortunately, were very flat. The antagonists in particular are either pure evil in the case of Stoutenburg, or just slimey and easily influenced in the case of Nicolaes Beresteyn.
The plot roars along at a great pace; it really is an adventure novel. I could not put it down. There are enough twists and developments to keep you guessing as to how it will reach some kind of satisfactory resolution, and the pacing is carefully managed.
The only thing that bothered me was the anti-semitism related to the portrayal of the Jewish banker and his lifestyle - not unexpected given the timeframe in which this was written, but a shame and a stain on the book nonetheless.
May 18, 2018
Another rousing tale, this time of a 14th century ancestor of the Scarlet Pimpernel in Holland. It was hard to get into the story as easily as the others since it dealt with history I wasn't familiar with (a conspiracy to assassinate the Prince of Orange), and it was hard to tell who was bad or good at first. This seemed unusually like a paperback romance with its vivid depiction of the tall, hunky Laughing Cavalier with the tumbling long brown locks and handsome, ever-amused face (especially when he was imprisoned, there were repeated details of how strong and manly he was with his amazingly broad chest, mostly naked due to his torn clothing. Weird!). The heroine was sweet, intelligent and beautiful but surprisingly quite imperfect unlike other stories in this series (she was very imperious and self-righteous, of course these flaws were corrected by the end). Their romance was slowly, hesitantly and then happily played out to ensure Percy's eventual existence. A good read!
March 10, 2025
Chronologically the first book in the Scarlet Pimpernel series. It stays in the same vein as the others and is very entertaining. I had already read the sequel, so the stakes were pretty low for me since I knew the ultimate ending, but I think it would be interesting if read in the proper order.
March 4, 2020
It is hard to express how much I love The Scarlet Pimpernel and everyone of his cronies and ancestors. Let me just say I love them a lot.
March 6, 2019
Diogenes is a carefree swordsman who lives by his wits, known as the Laughing Cavalier in 1600s Holland. He is hired to kidnap the lovely Gilda Beresteyn, because she has overheard a plot to kill the Prince of Orange, and the assassins, one of whom is her own brother, want her out of the city for a few days so she can't divulge their evil plans. All goes according to plan, until Diogenes begins to fall in love with the beautiful Gilda, won over by her gentle ways.
I love the sword-fighting, political intrigue, betrayal, secret plans, adventure, and mystery. The plot is almost non-stop action, and every situation seems impossible for the heroes to survive, but somehow, amazingly, incredibly, they pull through. Every plot twist is a surprise! I love the agile writing style, because it keeps the reader interested through every page.
Diogenes pretends to be a devil-may-care rogue, but he has a noble heart, and a truly chivalrous code of honor. He is a figure larger than life, utterly strong and brave, laughing in the face of death, and able to win people over with his charm and ready wit.
Gilda is sweetness itself. She has led a sheltered life, but she is resilient in dire circumstances, and resourceful in her attempts to stop the assassins and save the Prince of Orange. She does some fainting and crying, but also has some strong scenes of courage and clever dialogue.
I adore all of the Scarlet Pimpernel books, and really enjoyed this spin-off about Blakeney's "famous ancestor."
I love the sword-fighting, political intrigue, betrayal, secret plans, adventure, and mystery. The plot is almost non-stop action, and every situation seems impossible for the heroes to survive, but somehow, amazingly, incredibly, they pull through. Every plot twist is a surprise! I love the agile writing style, because it keeps the reader interested through every page.
Diogenes pretends to be a devil-may-care rogue, but he has a noble heart, and a truly chivalrous code of honor. He is a figure larger than life, utterly strong and brave, laughing in the face of death, and able to win people over with his charm and ready wit.
Gilda is sweetness itself. She has led a sheltered life, but she is resilient in dire circumstances, and resourceful in her attempts to stop the assassins and save the Prince of Orange. She does some fainting and crying, but also has some strong scenes of courage and clever dialogue.
I adore all of the Scarlet Pimpernel books, and really enjoyed this spin-off about Blakeney's "famous ancestor."
February 23, 2009
A few years ago, I read a few of Orczy's Scarlett Pimpernel books and really liked them. So I thought I'd start at the beginning of the series and read them all.
This book is listed as "Book 1" in the Scarlett Pimpernel series, but it's actually about an ancestor of Sir Percy's who was called The Laughing Cavalier and takes place in Holland.
It was a fun read. It took a while to get into, but then it was quite interesting. I love Orczy's high standard of honor and chivalry for men and innocence and purity for women. The Cavalier had me guffawing more than once at some of the witty things he'd say and now I'm hooked on crying out his favorite word, "Dondersteen!" A very fun word to say. :)
This book is listed as "Book 1" in the Scarlett Pimpernel series, but it's actually about an ancestor of Sir Percy's who was called The Laughing Cavalier and takes place in Holland.
It was a fun read. It took a while to get into, but then it was quite interesting. I love Orczy's high standard of honor and chivalry for men and innocence and purity for women. The Cavalier had me guffawing more than once at some of the witty things he'd say and now I'm hooked on crying out his favorite word, "Dondersteen!" A very fun word to say. :)
November 29, 2012
The story was amazing, though I did find most of the characters irritating as well as the parts or scenes in the story that seemed irrelevant to me, a few portions of the story were like summaries of the previous events, I couldn't quite see the point in that. But, I must admit that the plot is quite good, Diogenes' character is quite interesting, not as much as his descendant's but on the whole, it was okay. I find the ending quite satisfactory, though it still puzzles me why the Lord of Stoutenberg's men acted like complete cowards and idiots when they could have had made their stands, they are aware that the Prince of Orange's health is not in good condition. Still recommended to all readers though
April 19, 2013
Could any book be this perfect? Maybe.
The only thing that would make this book better would have been a proper epilogue. Fortunately, it's part of the Scarlet Pimpernel series and so I have hopes of hearing about Diogenes and the Lady's happily ever after.
I love a good adventure story, but they are so rarely written anymore...or written well. Baroness Orczy knows how to write a hero and heroine. Sweetly romantic but mostly filled with sword play and adventure and suspense. I can't read her books fast enough to keep up with the beating of my heart as I fear the hero is about to succumb to the evil machinations of a terrible villian. How fortunate I am that she wrote so many wonderful stories that are easily read over and over again.
The only thing that would make this book better would have been a proper epilogue. Fortunately, it's part of the Scarlet Pimpernel series and so I have hopes of hearing about Diogenes and the Lady's happily ever after.
I love a good adventure story, but they are so rarely written anymore...or written well. Baroness Orczy knows how to write a hero and heroine. Sweetly romantic but mostly filled with sword play and adventure and suspense. I can't read her books fast enough to keep up with the beating of my heart as I fear the hero is about to succumb to the evil machinations of a terrible villian. How fortunate I am that she wrote so many wonderful stories that are easily read over and over again.
March 15, 2014
I was delighted to find this first prequel to the Scarlet Pimpernel. Another good swashbuckling romance, full of high drama, modest maidens and dastardly villains (not the farming type). I particularly enjoyed the description of Holland in the 1600s, both the political situation and the lives of various classes. (For those interested in time travel through reading, this book provides an interesting contrast to Tracy Chevalier's Girl with the Pearl Earring, set around the same time, but an entirely different genre.)
Once again, I enjoyed the language of the novel; this one is peppered with Dutch expletives and references that help take you back to another time and place.
Once again, I enjoyed the language of the novel; this one is peppered with Dutch expletives and references that help take you back to another time and place.
July 31, 2016
A fun little novel set in the 1624 Netherlands where the protagonist gets involved in deadly political plots. Offers some nice historical details, but also raises some questions about its accuracy when it comes to certain details.
The writing style is very pulpish in the way that the protagonist is clearly a superior being in comparison to his fellow humanity and some short "intermission"-like chapters are only there to add more melodrama to the proceedings (they do not really progress the plot at all).
Full review:
http://susimetsa.blogspot.fi/2016/07/...
The writing style is very pulpish in the way that the protagonist is clearly a superior being in comparison to his fellow humanity and some short "intermission"-like chapters are only there to add more melodrama to the proceedings (they do not really progress the plot at all).
Full review:
http://susimetsa.blogspot.fi/2016/07/...
September 15, 2016
The Laughing Cavalier is the first book chronologically in the Scarlet Pimpernel series. It takes a while to get started, possibly because the language and style is from one hundred years ago. But by the end, the language isn't a problem. The story drives forward to an exciting climax. There are some great struggles and the juxtaposition of the honorable people being cretins and the dishonorable being the heroes. And the victim is yet the heroine. The anchor the story revolves around. Stellar.
October 25, 2018
This somewhat predictable tale of an ancestor of the Scarlet Pimpernel held just enough twists and excitement to keep me reading. The entire story takes place in less than a week, but it's a very eventful and busy five or six days for our heroes and villains!
The ending was rather flat, but the rest of the story was exciting (after the first chapter or so). That said, I do not recommend reading this before reading The Scarlet Pimpernel, as it will reveal the identity of that tale's mysterious title hero.
The ending was rather flat, but the rest of the story was exciting (after the first chapter or so). That said, I do not recommend reading this before reading The Scarlet Pimpernel, as it will reveal the identity of that tale's mysterious title hero.
August 20, 2008
As a huge fan of the Scarlet Pimpernel I was very excited to see that the Baroness had written of his family's history.
To be honest I am torn on how I feel about this book. Well written and very amusing, (it is clear to see where Percy gets his wits from) I find it to be too similar in basic plot to The Scarlet Pimpernel. In some places it tries too hard to seem real is my best explaination. Perhaps a later re-reading will help.
To be honest I am torn on how I feel about this book. Well written and very amusing, (it is clear to see where Percy gets his wits from) I find it to be too similar in basic plot to The Scarlet Pimpernel. In some places it tries too hard to seem real is my best explaination. Perhaps a later re-reading will help.
June 1, 2014
Enjoyable adventure with satire, humor, romance, betrayal, clear sense of good and evil, subtle psychology in the midst of rollicking action, and word play. The author repeats herself a bit more than I appreciate, but then, maybe at one time this was a serial. It's a read aloud for us, so the repetition helps us remember where we are in the story. A story for entertainment, a story for the sake of storytelling.
July 24, 2014
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Diogene's character is absolutely elementary, such wittiness and and sterling personality is enough to bring chuckles and admiration!
The storyline was very well planned, and I greatly enjoyed tagging along! The few points that bothered me were the rather plentiful mentions of swearing, oath taking, etc, and the mentions of "Fate" and "Chance" as the popular view of sovereignty.
Other than this, it was a very enjoyable read!!!
The storyline was very well planned, and I greatly enjoyed tagging along! The few points that bothered me were the rather plentiful mentions of swearing, oath taking, etc, and the mentions of "Fate" and "Chance" as the popular view of sovereignty.
Other than this, it was a very enjoyable read!!!
November 30, 2017
Well this did clear up some of the confusion I had from reading The First Sir Percy first (by accident). Though they're interesting, I feel that these first couple of books would be better if they were as brief as the most famous of the series, The Scarlet Pimpernel. (Something which might have contributed to its popularity is being just the right length.) Overall, a very good story, and I'm definitely continuing with the series.
May 11, 2012
This was about an ancestor of the scarlet pimpernel who was just as daring and adventurous as he is. Set in the Netherlands in the 1600's.
"Even the most leaden-footed hours do come to an end however."
"Among the hard lessons which varying Fortune teaches to those whom she most neglects, there is none so useful as self-control."
"Even the most leaden-footed hours do come to an end however."
"Among the hard lessons which varying Fortune teaches to those whom she most neglects, there is none so useful as self-control."
February 17, 2016
Diogenes is my favorite hero ever in a book! Competing only with Peeta! And if you have and amazing hero you are half way to an amazing story!
This is one of the most well told adventures I have read. If judging a book by it's cover you will probably not want to read this book but open it up and in side is an amazing story of adventure, heroism and romance.
This is one of the most well told adventures I have read. If judging a book by it's cover you will probably not want to read this book but open it up and in side is an amazing story of adventure, heroism and romance.
July 3, 2017
The writing is very much of its time -- verbose, detail-heavy, often telling rather than showing -- and yet it is full of action, most provided by a devil-may-care lead character of the charming rogue variety. I wasn't sure about it at the beginning, but am glad I continued on to the end. I would see this if it were made into a fun swashbuckler film.
February 6, 2014
Loved this book. It is certainly not great literature but it is very entertaining and amusing. I have always loved The Scarlet Pimpernel and this was a funny "prequel" to Sir Percy. I particularly enjoyed the funyy exclamatory remarks.
April 9, 2015
In the spirit of the Three Musketeers, set in 1624, political intrigues and chivalry combine to save a nation and a lady from distress. Invoke a memory of the Girl with the Pearl Earring, as it ties the story to a real printing by artist Frans Hals.
June 14, 2017
Exciting adventure
I enjoyed this book! Diogenes was a fascinating character. Gilda's Grace, charm, and courage made her a wonderful heroine. Recommend if you love the Scarlett pimpernel.
I enjoyed this book! Diogenes was a fascinating character. Gilda's Grace, charm, and courage made her a wonderful heroine. Recommend if you love the Scarlett pimpernel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews