Winter reading: The Scarlet Pimpernel

A number of years ago, UK author Susan Hill wrote a book called "Howard's End is on the Landing: A Year of Reading from Home". I loved the concept behind the volume  — taking a trip through the books that are already on our shelves — though her book itself left something to be desired from my point of view. Reading all those titles at home makes sense especially in the winter when getting to my bookstore or even the nearby library can sometimes be a challenge. Though I never finished reading Hill's book, it did remind me of all the old favorites on my shelves just waiting to be discovered again. 

I have a paperback copy of "The Scarlet Pimpernel" ready to grab when the mood strikes. Like "A Tale of Two Cities" it's a classic tale set during the Reign of Terror in the French Revolution. It's filled with despair, disguises, daring rescues and romantic reunions. It's never been out of print since Baroness Emmuska Orczy (isn't that a great name?) first published it in 1905. 

At times the book clearly reads like something published at the beginning of the 20th Century: quirky, convoluted and stilted. The movie is another story. The 1934 version with Leslie Howard and Merle Oberon is not bad — until you've seen the one with Jane Seymour and Anthony Andrews (1982, above). No one can play a fop like Andrews and Seymour was made for costume dramas. They're a perfect pair until villain Ian McKellan comes between them.

The title of the book refers to a tiny flower that our mysterious hero uses as his signature (see the book cover at the top). I've always wanted to plant a Scarlet Pimpernel in my garden for the sheer fun of it. I am a sucker for plants with a history and a story behind them, let alone a series of movies.

I can just picture serving tea in Portmerion china cups decorated with Pimpernels and a single flower resting on the table — a subtle sign for those who catch it that nothing is ever quite what it seems.

 

Comments

[Susan Adler Sobol]

My parents populated our childhood bookshelves with "sets", like children's versions of Reader's Digest condensed books. The Scarlet Pimpernel was one of my favorites. Did you know that the author (Baroness Orczy was a pen name) wrote other books about Sir Percy's adventures? I don't recall ever following up on this and reading any. I do agree -- winter is a great time to discover unread books on our shelves or re-read old favorites! I am rediscovering one right now - that I think you would love. It is so beautifully written. An English Garden in Provence by Natasha Spender (wife of the poet, Sir Stephen Spender.

[Linda Brazill]

I think I did read that there were more Pimpernel adventures but, like you, I've never read or even seen those books. The Spender book sounds wonderful. I remember seeing a photo of the Spender's dining table filled with guests. The table was essentially in the middle of a room filled with bookshelves. It looked heavenly.

[Susan Adler Sobol]

I encourage you to look up Lady Spender on-line. I have a copy of her obituary from The Telegraph (telegraph.co.uk) stuffed inside the book.

[Peter/Outlaw]

It's a good time of year to revisit favorite books or even to get to the piles of unread books lying around.

[Kristin]

I LOVE Anthony Andrews in that movie...so much so that I actually have the movie. I think I should watch it this weekend, as I didn't remember that Ian McKellan was the villain!

[Linda Brazill]

Surprising I don't own the movie. I may have to remedy that. A friend who has a degree in 19th C. English lit recommended "Casanova" with Heath Ledger, Sienna Miller and Jeremy Irons. I never would have watched it if she hadn't suggested it. Now it's another of my favorites. A funny feminist take on the story. Director is Lasse Hailstorm and they allowed him to film in historic palazzos in Venice. Stunning!

[Lisa at Greenbow]

Another blogger I read just mentioned the Howard's End is on the Landing... I had never heard of this before and you both wrote about it at the same time. Funny that...
I just reread _Dear Friend and Gardener_ by Beth Chatto and Christopher Lloyd. I think the first time I read it I did know the scientific names for plants as much as I do now. I enjoyed the book more. Also maybe because I am closer to their age when they wrote. I can see so much more in my mind of their gardens as they talk about them. Funny how books can grow on you.

[Lisa at Greenbow]

P.S. I have lots of Portmerion but not this pattern. Hmmmm.

[Linda]

We seek him here, we seek him there, Those Frenchies seek him everywhere. Is he in heaven? — Is he in hell? That damned, elusive Pimpernel.

[Phillip Oliver]

Even though I majored in English, I am embarrassed about how many classics I have not read (yet). This is one of them. I have a lot of unread books on my shelves. This sounds like a good idea. :)