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Leatherface: A Tale of Old Flanders
Emma Magdolna Rozália Mária Jozefa Borbála Orczy de Orci, or more familiarly known as Baroness Emmuska Orczy, was born on September 23rd, 1865, in Tarnaörs, Heves County, Hungary. The family lived in their ancestral home; a great, rambling farmhouse on the river Tarna. Emmuska’s memories of the time were of sophisticated parties, sparkling conversation, joyful dancing and gypsy music. But soon fear of a peasant uprising meant their moving to Budapest and then 12 years of semi-nomadic travels across Europe. Arriving in London in 1880 Emmuska, aged 15, was studying painting and, a few years later, had them chosen for exhibition at the Royal Academy. London, she felt, was home, her spiritual birthplace. Art school also provided a husband. It was here she met a young illustrator, Montague Barstow, the son of an English clergyman. Fearful of mediocrity she plunged headlong into a writing career. And in the weeks after the birth of her son wrote the adventure classic for which she is so The Scarlet Pimpernel. Originally rejected, after being re-worked as a successful play it was published as a book in 1905 and was an instant best-seller. In the coming years they lived on an estate in Kent, a busy and tasteful London home and an extravagant villa in Monte Carlo. All the while Emmuska’s pen continued to write adventures for that elusive hero; Sir Percy Blakeney. In 1934, the famed movie producer Alexander Korda turned it into a film starring Leslie Howard. The quintessential Pimpernel of everyone’s imagination now made visual reality. Baroness Orczy at the age of 82, died on November 12th, 1947 at Henley-on-Thames in South Oxfordshire.
206 pages, Paperback
Published February 24, 2017
5 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
About the author
Emmuska Orczy
858 books1,090 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 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 18, 2015
Ok, I know the title is terrible, but the book is really great! Or at least classic Orczy melodramatic nonsense of the best kind. It's extremely fictional historical fiction set while the Inquisition is terrorizing freedom loving Holland, and the heroic William, Prince of Orange bravely defends all that is good in the world. Leatherface is a spy who works to defend Prince William of Orange, and wears a leather mask to protect his identity. The Inquisition has come to loot Leatherface's hometown, and now he must fight to defend it! Also, there's a romance, which I can't talk about without spoilers. Warnings for sexism and prejudice against people from southern Europe.
July 3, 2020
At times I wish that we could four and a half stars. I really did enjoy this book. As I got toward the end it was hard to put down. It is a fiction story / a novel but it based on history. I have studied some of the history of the Netherland at this time and see that the novel fits in, at least in part, with the historical records. It is another great book by a great author.
Want to read
November 22, 2015Free download available at Project Gutenberg.
December 4, 2012
It was undoubtedly a good read. The emotions had been perfectly captured and portrayed by each of the characters, the hatred, sadness seemed to painted on the very pages of the book. A little bit doubtful perhaps of the development of love and passion between Donna Lenora and van Rycke. How could so much hatred be washed away in the course of the day. I quite the didn't like the portrayal of female weakness yet again, but thankfully, it was redeemed in the last part of the story where the lady once again becomes the bearer of salvation and warnings.
February 1, 2017
Great adventure
I really liked this book. The characters were great, the story compelling, and the writing excellent. If you love The Scarlet Pimpernel (as I do), then you will love this book too.
I really liked this book. The characters were great, the story compelling, and the writing excellent. If you love The Scarlet Pimpernel (as I do), then you will love this book too.
February 23, 2024
Okay okay okay, it's old. It was written a hundred years ago and that shows in the language used and the descriptions of actions and reactions given but... This is a solid story. An incredibly solid story about spies and warriors, tyrants and freedom fighters, the bones of which someone should definitely turn into a spicy fantasy novel.
Do I have the time for that, probably not. Maybe. We'll see.
But a mysterious assassin, an arranged marriage, enemies to lovers, it's all there. And it's all got so much potential.
Do I have the time for that, probably not. Maybe. We'll see.
But a mysterious assassin, an arranged marriage, enemies to lovers, it's all there. And it's all got so much potential.
Want to read
June 18, 2025Two Lovers (1928)
October 12, 2021
I liked the bookt had suspense, adventure, dashing heroism and a little romance similar to the Scarlet Pimpernel series which took place during the horrible French Revolution. This kept me in nail-biting suspense until the end and I loved the hero (true romantic that I am)! However there was absolutely no comic relief as in the Scarlet Pimpernel (by the same author) and it was also shorter, but a highly satisfying read.
February 22, 2021
Just like in 1915, the Baroness is the only one who takes the horrors of war head on. Again it is historical fiction, set in Belgium (who wouldn’t feel for brave little Belgium in 1916?) during the Spanish Inquisition. A dashing hero known only as Leatherface because of the mask he wears has been protecting the Prince of Orange and doing other brave deeds for the cause. Fans of Baroness Orczy’s Scarlet Pimpernel series won’t be surprised to learn which I found unexpectedly pacifistic and moving. Also hats off to Emma Orczy for FINALLY laying off the anti-Semitism for one entire book except for a single one-liner.
January 27, 2023
I shouldn't have been surprised--but I was! Seriously. When you've read as much Emma Orczy as I have...
In usual, wonderful Orczy fashion, Leatherface is a delightful, overly dramatic, historically-set tale with a hidden hero. I should have suspected the hidden hero earlier on; I should have found him sooner than I did! But she got me. Way to go, Mrs. Orczy.
The romantic stakes in this book are higher than they are in The Scarlet Pimpernel; by "romantic stakes," I mean the divide between the male and female protagonists. That's a definite positive for this book. I was seriously wondering for a while how Orczy could end it well; it just seemed too terrible! Her solution to the divide is not contrived; while not especially brilliant, it fits the story and isn't rushed or shoved in. Another positive.
Although the romantic stakes are higher, I don't like these characters as much as I like Sir Percy and Marguerite. First, I just love Sir Percy, and it would take someone special to unseat him. That's no slight against this book, as the male protagonist is likable, interesting, and adequately mysterious. Second, the female protagonist in Leatherface is not consistently endearing. There's a weakness with the book in this. She is (fairly) consistently presented as young and innocent, but I think she goes a little too back and forth on what she thinks and how she feels, and also in how she presents herself. I wish she had seemed more (or totally) childlike early on, allowing for her strength of character to come out more toward the end.
As to the genre: there's a lot of crying, falling on one's knees, and total despair. Melodrama at its finest. And honestly, quite enjoyable. Orczy does it well because she's consistent and it fits with every other aspect of the novel.
So overall, I really enjoyed my read! It was fun to read another Orczy book, and especially fun to be surprised.
In usual, wonderful Orczy fashion, Leatherface is a delightful, overly dramatic, historically-set tale with a hidden hero. I should have suspected the hidden hero earlier on; I should have found him sooner than I did! But she got me. Way to go, Mrs. Orczy.
The romantic stakes in this book are higher than they are in The Scarlet Pimpernel; by "romantic stakes," I mean the divide between the male and female protagonists. That's a definite positive for this book. I was seriously wondering for a while how Orczy could end it well; it just seemed too terrible! Her solution to the divide is not contrived; while not especially brilliant, it fits the story and isn't rushed or shoved in. Another positive.
Although the romantic stakes are higher, I don't like these characters as much as I like Sir Percy and Marguerite. First, I just love Sir Percy, and it would take someone special to unseat him. That's no slight against this book, as the male protagonist is likable, interesting, and adequately mysterious. Second, the female protagonist in Leatherface is not consistently endearing. There's a weakness with the book in this. She is (fairly) consistently presented as young and innocent, but I think she goes a little too back and forth on what she thinks and how she feels, and also in how she presents herself. I wish she had seemed more (or totally) childlike early on, allowing for her strength of character to come out more toward the end.
As to the genre: there's a lot of crying, falling on one's knees, and total despair. Melodrama at its finest. And honestly, quite enjoyable. Orczy does it well because she's consistent and it fits with every other aspect of the novel.
So overall, I really enjoyed my read! It was fun to read another Orczy book, and especially fun to be surprised.
July 2, 2019
Leatherface is set during the period when the Spanish are working their way through Holland and seeking to oust and punish Prince William of Orange. Spy and protector of Prince William is Leatherface, who uses a disguise to protect his identity and create an air of mystery about his abilities. With the Spanish eyeing of the town of Ghern, an arrangement is made where Donna Leonora de Vargas is to marry a local dignitaries’ son Mark van Rycke. Donna is to become a spy in the van Rycke family and hopefully reveal the traitors and whereabouts of Prince William. The question is what alliance will Donna Leonora take, will she side with her new husband or remain loyal to her father and Spain?
There is plenty of intrigue in the pages of Leatherface, with many a double cross, many a misdirection and plenty of misunderstandings. Donna Leonora is the central character, for she plays a pivotal role in determining the fate of the people around her and is used as a pawn by others. She is fickle, prone to fainting and great moments of courage. Mark is the chameleon character, he plays many parts and when finally revealed shows his true nature.
It is interesting to read a novel that is over a 100 years old and you realise how the craft of novel writing has evolved and remains the same. Parts of the story become overly melodramatic but there is energy and pace to keep the story engaging.
There is plenty of intrigue in the pages of Leatherface, with many a double cross, many a misdirection and plenty of misunderstandings. Donna Leonora is the central character, for she plays a pivotal role in determining the fate of the people around her and is used as a pawn by others. She is fickle, prone to fainting and great moments of courage. Mark is the chameleon character, he plays many parts and when finally revealed shows his true nature.
It is interesting to read a novel that is over a 100 years old and you realise how the craft of novel writing has evolved and remains the same. Parts of the story become overly melodramatic but there is energy and pace to keep the story engaging.
March 25, 2024
Leatherface: A Tale of Old Flanders published in 1916 by Baroness Emuska Orczy
Locations/Settings: [Belgium: Mons, St. Florian Village, Hermigny Village, Brussels, Brabant, Flanders, Hainaut, Mechelen, Ghent; France: Valienciennes; Holland; Spain: Segovia; Laredo (Spain) to Flushing, Netherlands]
Locations/Settings: [Belgium: Mons, St. Florian Village, Hermigny Village, Brussels, Brabant, Flanders, Hainaut, Mechelen, Ghent; France: Valienciennes; Holland; Spain: Segovia; Laredo (Spain) to Flushing, Netherlands]
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews