Overview

The Scarlet Pimpernel is set during the early stages of the French Revolution. Sir Percy Blakeney leads a secret society known as the ""League of the Scarlet Pimpernel,"" dedicated to rescuing French aristocrats from the Reign of Terror's guillotine. As the mysterious Scarlet Pimpernel, he hides behind his persona as a dull-witted nobleman to carry out daring rescues. When Marguerite is blackmailed by the cunning French envoy Chauvelin, she unwittingly aids in exposing the Pimpernel's identity, only to later discover, to her shock, that her husband is the man behind the mask. Racing against time and danger, Marguerite embarks on a journey to France to warn Percy and save him from his enemies, reigniting the love and trust between them. The Scarlet Pimpernel holds significant historical importance as one of the earliest works to introduce the concept of a masked hero with a secret identity, laying the foundation for the modern superhero genre. Its immense popularity not only revived the theme of classic villainy in literature but also inspired future characters such as Zorro, Batman, and Superman. The Scarlet Pimpernel's legacy endures, with its premise of a hero hiding behind a meek persona influencing countless stories in serial fiction and superhero narratives. This case laminate collector's edition includes a Victorian inspired dust-jacket.

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9781778784705

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Baroness Orczy was born on September 23, 1865, in Heves, Hungary, to an aristocratic family. Her father, Baron Félix Orczy, was a composer and conductor, while her mother, Emma Wass, was a countess. In 1868, following a peasant uprising in Hungary, her family moved to Budapest and later to Brussels and Paris, where Orczy was educated. In her early teens, her family settled in London, England. It was here that she continued her studies in art and later met her future husband, Montagu Barstow, with whom she would collaborate on art and literary projects.Orczy initially pursued a career in painting, exhibiting her work in prestigious galleries like the Royal Academy. However, she found her true calling in writing and began to publish stories and novels. Her breakthrough came with the stage play The Scarlet Pimpernel, co-written with her husband, which premiered in 1903 and became a theatrical success in London. Following the play's popularity, Orczy adapted the story into a novel in 1905, solidifying her reputation as a novelist. This tale of a daring English nobleman rescuing French aristocrats during the Revolution was an instant hit.Throughout her career, Baroness Orczy wrote numerous novels, short stories, and plays, often focusing on themes of adventure, romance, and historical intrigue. Orczy remained active in the literary world well into her later years. She passed away on November 12, 1947, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneer of the swashbuckling hero narrative that influenced the creation of future masked heroes in literature and popular culture.

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