The Scarlet Pimpernel

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

60

Title

The Scarlet Pimpernel

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set against the blood-soaked backdrop of the French Revolution, this classic adventure follows the daring exploits of the Scarlet Pimpernel, a mysterious Englishman who rescues aristocrats from the guillotine. Blending high-stakes suspense with wit and romance, the novel explores themes of courage, deception, and the enduring power of love against tyranny.

Summary up to 500 words

Set against the brutal backdrop of the Reign of Terror in September 1792 Paris, *The Scarlet Pimpernel* by Baroness Emmuska Orczy introduces a world where the Committee of Public Safety executes nobles at the guillotine. Amidst this carnage, rumors spread of a mysterious Englishman known only as the Scarlet Pimpernel, who fearlessly snatches condemned aristocrats from the French Revolution's grasp and ferries them to safety in England. The French revolutionary agent, Chauvelin, hunts this elusive hero with deadly intent, while the Parisian populace watches with a mixture of awe and hatred. The narrative shifts to Dover, where Marguerite Blakeney, the wife of the Scarlet Pimpernel (Sir Percy), reveals a devastating secret: she has unknowingly aided Chauvelin in tracking her husband. Realizing the peril he faces, she rallies her brother-in-law, Armand St. Just, and her friend Sir Andrew Ffoulkes to mount a desperate rescue mission. In a daring display of audacity, Sir Percy infiltrates a revolutionary camp near Calais disguised as a Jew to evade detection. He saves a group of refugees, including his brother-in-law, from a trap set by Chauvelin. Through clever ruses and sheer bravery, he outmaneuvers the French agent, ensuring the escapees reach the waiting boat, the *Day Dream*. The story culminates in a tense race against time across the Channel. Marguerite, having atoned for her mistake, joins her husband on the vessel. The tale concludes with the triumphant return to England, the revelation of Percy's identity to his wife, and a wedding that celebrates love and liberty amidst the shadow of the revolution. The novel explores themes of courage, redemption, and the power of individual action against overwhelming tyranny, highlighting the bond between the heroic rescuer and the woman who learns to trust him.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/60.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg60.epub

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Categories

• Adventure
• Classics
• Historical Fiction
• British Literature
• French History
• Nobility