Book Review: The Scarlet Pimpernel, by Baroness Orczy
Glenn Beck may be a bit of a loony, but I recall him saying (or writing) that a good marriage needs a balance between "Bullet Movies and Bonnet Movies." So I can force my wife to watch The Matrix if I'm willing to endure watch Pride and Prejudice (though confidentially, I love the Colin Firth version).
I'm secure in my manhood, folks. Everything's cool. Just up from Coos Bay, Oregon. Been toppin' trees. (Someone really has to get this reference.)
It's true, though, that I'm not averse to a good romantic movie, though I prefer drama to RomCom. We were early adopters of Downton Abbey, checking it out on Netflix months before the Season Two buzz started.
Growing up, our family regularly watched our taped and commercials-edited-out version of The Scarlet Pimpernel, to the point that upon checking out the DVD from the library this week, I knew the first line of the thing, and most subsequent lines. By the way, it's a very good example of the movie being better than the book, even though substantial changes were made.
Of course, I only know I prefer the film now that I've read the book. And it's not like I didn't enjoy the book. True, it veers dangerously close to being a romance novel, but there are adequate numbers of buckles being swashed and swashes being buckled that I'm still terming it "historical adventure."
The plot centers around the exploits of the eponymous Scarlet Pimpernel, an English aristocrat who risks a great deal to rescue as many French aristocrats from the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution. It's interesting, somewhat exciting, and undoubtedly romantic, and I can't really find fault with it in any way. But I can't help thinking I'd have enjoyed it more had I come to it without knowing the story.
The film version I enjoy so much is the 1982 TV adaptation with Anthony Andrews and Jane Seymour, and it's really an adaptation of both The Scarlet Pimpernel and El Dorado, which I haven't read but which contains the action involving the Pimpernel trying to rescue the heir to the French throne. I think the decision to add this major bit of peril was brilliant, and the choice to have kind of a love triangle thing going was another great move. And it didn't hurt to have Andrews and Seymour, to say nothing of Ian McKellen as Chauvelin.
So I guess I'm really recommending the movie more than the book, for which I should probably apologize to my Big Sis who recommended the book. But she knows I'm right. And perhaps she'd like to comment on a few good reasons to read the book.
I've got a couple of books in progress, but I imagine I'll finish Ender's Game!!!!!!!!! first. Yes, I finally pulled the trigger and bought it for my NOOK. Now I have it in hardcover, audio, and ebook. Awesome. Though I think I've reviewed it before, at least tangentially.
I also need to give a shout out for William Van Winkle's short fiction, including The Sound of Autumn Night, which is as gut-wrenching a twelve pages as I've ever read, and The Followers, which manages to mix Civil War historical fiction and zombies in a serious and awesome way. I might just have to throw a co-review post up next week.
February 24th, 2012 - 21:17
The Scarlet Pimpernel is one I’ve been interested in reading for awhile. My Mom read it and loved it. It’s one of her favorites.
As for Ender’s Game… well, I’m finally reading it and all I can say is, “WOW!”
Easily one of the best SciFi stories I’ve encountered. The only thing I’m puzzled by is it’s classification in the YA fiction genre – I know the protagonist is a youngster, but the themes of the story strike me as rather… adult, for lack of a better term.
At any rate, it’s a stellar book. I’m looking forward to reading the sequels. Especially Speaker for the Dead, which I hear is fantastic.
February 24th, 2012 - 22:49
I’d tend to agree. There’s a sadness to the book, too, dealing with lost innocence and childhood that I think would go right over kids’ heads. Speaker is definitely more adult in theme and story.
February 24th, 2012 - 23:55
There’s a sadness to the book, too, dealing with lost innocence and childhood that I think would go right over kids’ heads.
That’s a good way of putting it. Did you hear that a movie adaption is in the works? The cast looks stellar so far. I think Asa Butterfield will make a good Ender: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1731141/
February 25th, 2012 - 08:38
The Scarlet Pimpernel is one of my favorite stories. El Dorado is interesting for its strong Christian imagery.
February 28th, 2012 - 11:18
Our oldest had to read this for English this year and I like to read what she is reading to help with the paprer writing. I had never read it or seen the movie and I loved it…streaked right through it. Read it everywhere I went…getting a haircut, chasing squirrels, etc. While it took her a while to get into the book, even the 15 year old enjoyed it. Now to watch the movie!
February 29th, 2012 - 14:59
There’s a bunch of adaptations, but my favorite is the 1982 one. (Not that I’ve seen them all…that might not be manly…)