The Elusive Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy

 

                      The Elusive Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy 288 pages 📕📕📕📕
   This book took me forever to finish. Not because it was boring or anything like that. My eyes have been straining themselves too much when I use screens to read, so it took me about 2 months to get this read.         
     Orczy did it yet again, leading you to think everything is going horribly wrong and that the most immortal spy may die.

The Plot:
   Sir Percy Blakeney is forced into a duel by the devious Monsieur Chauvelin. Though, as we all know, 'tis but a way to get him onto French soil to capture him. To further ensure the destruction of le famous English spy, Chauvelin takes Percy's wife hostage.
   In a race against time Sir Percy must decide between losing his honor or losing his life.

What I loved:
1. The direct, black and white contrast between good and evil. So many books try to blur the lines but Orczy keeps it simple whilst profound.

2. Explaining of the political upheaval of the times. It seems every time a corrupt government comes to power their first move is to dethrone God. Thus, the introduction of the goddess of Reason (everyone worships something).

3. The enigmatic story line. She again keeps you guessing as to who will finally win. Of course, we all know it will be the Pimpernel, but there is always that sneaking suspicion that maybe Chauvelin could actually outsmart him this time.

4. Sir Percy is human. We find that out in this book when Chauvelin is taunting him about his wife. As any wonderful classic shows, his anger is condemned when he  realizes he's lost self-control.

5. The note Collot rode all night to deliver to Robespierre- well done, Sir Percy, well done!

What I didn't like:
1. Bad words.

2. I so dislike Chauvelin.

   This one wasn't as earth shattering as Sir Percy Leads the Band but 'twas still good.


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