A fun, light adventure that's a quick read.

This is the classic first Zorro story, usually seen under its other title, "The Mark of Zorro." The plot will seem familiar to anyone who's seen one of the movie versions. Foppish nobleman Don Diego Vega dons a mask and becomes the crusading highwayman Senor Zorro (Mr. Fox) to battle oppression in Spanish California. Author Johnston McCulley leans heavily on the example of Baroness Orczy's Scarlet Pimpernel.

But this first version is distinct. Zorro wears a sombrero and serape, relying on a pistol to intimidate as much as on his fencing skill. (The author liked the costume worn by Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. so much he wrote it in to later stories of Zorro.)

Also, until the big reveal at the end, Don Diego and Zorro are written as two separate characters. It's not a mystery for the readers, as there are no other suspects for the role of Zorro, but there are no scenes where either of them changes into the other or thinks in the other's thought patterns. The story leaves open the possibility that the twist ending is not going to be the one we're all expecting.

Good stuff: exciting adventure, the dashing courtship of Senorita Pulido by Zorro, the humor of Don Diego's lifeless personality contrasted with Zorro's passion.. Lolita Pulido getting to be a dynamic character in her own right.

Not so good: Zorro may be the protector of peons, natives and monks, but he is very much class-conscious. He is insistent that he is a caballero of good blood, and objects to high-born prisoners being housed with those of lesser families. And although Zorro's triumph comes when he inspires the young people to become politically active on the side of justice, it is no democratic uprising, but young lords taking back their power from politicians.

Also, both Zorro and the villainous Captain Ramon make (initially) unwanted romantic overtures towards Senorita Pulido, but they're treated differently by the narration because Zorro's good and Captain Ramon is evil. (Zorro flirts and kisses hands, and then starts asking for consent; Ramon demands affection and goes straight for the lips.)

Content notice: There are scenes of whipping as torture, both by the corrupt government and by Zorro, who then forces others to participate.

Recommended to Zorro fans who've only seen the movies, and to romantic adventure fans of all kinds.

Don Fernando Venagas is close to the top of the social pecking order in Spanish California, and he knows it. He is, after all, a wealthy caballero of the pure aristocratic blood, skilled with both horse and sword. As such, he thinks little of those below his status. But he is not a cruel man. Don Fernando would no more abuse a peon than he would a dog, and for the same reason–it would be beneath him. Besides, today Don Fernando is interested in romance, and in specific the lovely Senorita Manuela Moreno.

But Don Fernando is not the only fellow who has eyes for the lovely Manuela. Bartolo Rios also has set his cap for the senorita. Bartolo is rich, but his money comes from his father swindling small farmers of their land and cattle. Bartolo thinks cash on the barrelhead makes him just as good as any nobleman, but his heart is cold and his manners are atrocious. Bartolo whips peons for sport, and has no understanding of what women find attractive in a man.

When Senorita Moreno does the upper class woman equivalent of laughing in his face, Senor Rios decides that if the Venegas heir were dead, she would be more amenable to his suit. He forces a duel with Don Fernando, which is the last of his poor life choices. The local capitan rules it self-defense, but Bartolo’s even more evil brother Luis Rios vows vengeance.

Don Fernando meets with his friend and mentor, Fray Marcos. The good brother witnessed the entire affair and does not entirely agree with the military. Yes, it was self-defense, but Don Fernando was so much more skilled than his opponent that he could simply have disarmed Bartolo, but instead chose to go for the kill. That’s a sin, and Don Fernando must do penance. For three months he must abjure his status and power, and become a peon, living as the lowliest of society do. He is now just Fernando, a ragged peasant who must earn his living by the sweat of his brow. Only Fray Marcos, another peon named Pedro who is to act as Fernando’s guide to peon life, and (unknown to the others) Luis Rios know the truth.

This 1936 novel is by the same writer who brought us Zorro, and uses the same setting as those stories, but without a masked rider for justice. Instead, Fernando learns about the oppression inherent in the social system of Spanish California from the bottom. He soon makes new friends, though they sometimes laugh at his mannerisms and tendency to talk above his station.

Still, a combination of luck, Pedro’s wise guidance (for this peon is more than he seems) and having a goal in mind keeps Fernando from experiencing the worst consequences of his new status. Because of his better education, Fernando is able to spot that rabble-rouser Jose Tappia has no intention of being a good leader to the upcoming peasant uprising, but plans instead to line his own pockets.

Good: Johnston McCulley loved writing about Spanish California, and his passion comes through in the loving descriptions. The depiction of Native Americans is pretty good for the time the book was written (warning: period racism), and there’s some pretty frank critique of class oppression.

Not as good: There’s still some classism in the way the story works; the noveau riche Rios brothers cannot match the nobility of those born to the purple. And it’s made abundantly clear that native maid Singing Wind hasn’t got a chance with Fernando, as he’s going to wind up with the pure-Spanish Manuela.

Content warning: A known rapist is punched up a little bit while trying to abduct Singing Wind. Because he’s a known rapist, he’s only able to get his attackers sentenced to whipping instead of death, and he still gets to keep his military job.

Overall: Don Fernando becomes a better person because of his experience, and presumably will work to improve conditions for peons. That’s a good ending, and if you enjoy the hero succeeding, this is a good book for a light read. Might be hard to find, though.

I read this because I love the film 'The Mask of Zorro,' and having not really read much pulp fiction before I didn't really know what to expect. As my rating will testify, I freaking adored this. It was swashbuckling, adventurous, romantic fun and I read it all in one go.