Book of the Week

The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy
Recommended by Isaac Wighton

Having set the premise of a masked vigilante that inspired household names such as Batman and the famed Blackadder episode Nob and Nobility (which prompted the re-read that lead to this review), Baroness Orczy’s The Scarlet Pimpernel (1905) is a must read classic, the influence of which still resonates in culture today. I expect it to be a while before I read a classic with an equally fabulous mix of romance, betrayal and suspense and a protagonist as swashbuckling and enigmatic as that of Orczy’s magnum opus.

The novel is set in Europe during the late 18th century at the start of the bloody French Revolution. Much of the French aristocracy are condemned to the guillotine, and the rest in fear for their lives. Things are not as bleak as they may seem, however, for in London a covert society of twenty nobles, the League of the Pimpernel, united by their outrage at the reign of terror, meet to help rescue those in peril. The eponymous protagonist is the arcane leader of this circle, his true identity unknown and he soon becomes folk legend in English society. Like all, Marguerite Blakeney is infatuated with the Pimpernel’s flamboyant stunts, the antithesis of her vain dandy husband; Sir Percy Blakeney. However she is also pre-occupied with her crumbling marriage and is becoming increasingly frustrated at her estranged husband's lack of compassion.

It is not always as easy it seems for the Pimpernel as one might expect. He is aware of Citizen Chauvelin, the sly French agent who is adamant that the Pimpernel be stopped at all costs for sabotaging the revolution. Despite this he continues his daring escapades and puts his life in danger, as well as the lives of those he is rescuing. The Pimpernel’s true identity is slowly revealed throughout the course of the novel, through twists and turns that take even the most prepared reader by surprise.

Orczy’s characters are thoroughly enjoyable and fabulously developed. Percy’s slow and pathetic nature is picked apart amusingly. Marguerite is wholly fascinating and her witty outlook on her marriage is refreshing, ranging from hatred and confusion to unconditional love. The Pimpernel himself is one of the ultimate protagonists, shrouded in mystery yet his gallant chivalry known to all. Left clueless to his true identity and its significance for the first half of the book, the reader is left to their own devices to hazard meaningless guesses but cligns on, desperate for the shocking reveal.

One may complain about the novel's apparent lack of socio-political comment on the French revolution, of which there is plenty to be made. And whilst Orczy isn’t particularly subtle in her view on social hierarchy, I would argue that such criticism misses the point of the novel. It is at heart a historical adventure, and Orczy succeeded in writing a fabulous one. It plays pleasingly true to this, avoiding getting bogged down in un-subtle commentary that often plagues late 19th century writing. Stylistically it is a pleasantly easy read that flows well and allows tension to build throughout the plot whilst keeping up a fast enough pace.

Whilst the book itself is an undoubtedly brilliant read, I found less enjoyment in the sequels, where the pace drops and plot struggles slightly. The Scarlet Pimpernel has a perfectly satisfying ending, from where there is little need to continue.

Overall, Orczy’s novel is most definitely worth a look. Don’t expect it to stimulate existential or socio-political reflection. But certainly expect a thoroughly riveting story with stupendous characterisation that will make even the most cynical of Paulines crack a smile. This review is limited by its attempt to avoid spoilers, and there is much that I couldn’t mention or praise. Most of which concerns the twists and climaxes toward the end. Therefore it is hard to do the book sufficient justice, you'll just have to read it for yourselves….