I have loved the character of The Scarlet Pimpernel for as long as I can remember starting with the portrayal beautifully acted by the esteemed Leslie Howard who is just perfect in the role but also the wonderful Richard E. Grant and Elizabeth McGovern so it is quite surprising that it has taken me quite a while to read the books. 

 

“We seek him here, we seek him there, 

Those Frenchies seek him everywhere. 

Is he in heaven? - Is he in hell? 

That demmed, elusive Pimpernel?” 

 

I was not disappointed are they high art no but it was a cracking good read, the first book was published in 1905 and is set in September 1792 with the French Revolution in full swing Marguerite St Just, Lady Blakeney is completely unaware of her husband’s role but is desperate to save the life of her beloved brother but how far will she go to do so, would she betray the Scarlet Pimpernel? 

 

It had bags of atmosphere and was quite tense as Marguerite fearing she has placed her husband and his followers at risk desperately follows him to France preferring to die rather than be separated from him.  It is not a long book so doesn’t ‘waste’ time but gives her audience what they want excitement and adventure but not forgetting to include all the period detail and her characters are well drawn - they certainly have weathered the test of time as productions of The Scarlet Pimpernel are still performed today.  Vive la France!  Highly recommend.