The Zorro story has always held a certain fascination for me, ever since seeing one of the many versions that have come out of Hollywood as a child (I certainly can't remember which version that would have been). This book was the origin of that story, a Robin Hood tale set in colonial California.

Unfortunately, this is one of those rare times when the various movies and television series are better than the book. The daring of the character's exploits doesn't come through in print the same way they do on the screen. The swordplay is not well-written, and the characters are flat.

For a written treatment of the Zorro story, I recommend Isabel Allende's version. Or watch it one of the many versions available these days.