The Elusive Pimpernel (The Scarlet Pimpernel #2)

Synopsis

It is the early days of the French Republic, and Robespierre's revolutionaries find their wicked schemes are repeatedly being thwarted. It appears that Sir Percy Blakeney-- the cunning and heroic Pimpernel-- is more than a match for them all. But Sir Percy's spy-catching archenemy, Chauvelin, has devised a plan. In this swashbuckling sequel to the Scarlet Pimpernel, Sir Percy attempts to smuggle French aristocrats out of the country to safety, while Chauvelin plays out a vile plot to eliminate the Pimpernel and his beautiful wife, once and for all.

Loved

• The suspense. I remember the first time (out of many) reading the Scarlet Pimpernel and I just could not put it down because I couldn't imagine how Sir Percy would make it out of danger with such terrible odds. But the stakes are so much higher in this story- with the fate of a whole town tied to Percy and Marguerite's lives- yikes! Much of the book is dedicated to building the suspense as Chauvelin thinks of more and more ways to tighten the noose, manipulate Marguerite, and ensure the capture of the Scarlet Pimpernel.

• The pluck! Both times reading this I thought there was no way Percy could escape and that the author had written herself into a corner. The odds seemed too high, with no loopholes or details overlooked. But Percy's sheer pluck and daring audacity outwit the cruel Committee of Public Safety- even Robespierre himself! I found myself laughing and applauding at the end because of Percy's hilarious and brilliant victory.

• Percy Blakeney. This is truly one of the most fascinating, entertaining and ingenius literary characters of classic literature, and I wish he was more well known and celebrated. Percy's dual nature of a passionate, serious adventurer and thinker masked by the inane, foppish dandy creates one of the most engaging and mysterious characters to cheer for and follow. He never fails us- he always has a witty quip on his lips, a daring plan in his head, and the latest fashion of cravat at his neck. Never in either of the first two books of this series has he failed to rescue, entertain and outwit.

• The romance. This second book is fun in that Marguerite knows the identity of her husband and can trust in him. Their relationship is established in this book after the challenges at the beginning of their marriage in the first book, and it's rewarding to see them so openly in love with each other. I love getting glimpses into their relationship and seeing their little moments of romance together- they are so swoony :)

Didn't Love

• I love everything about this story and the characters! The first time I read this I was a little annoyed with Marguerite for falling into the trap, but the second time I realized she was just so desperate to be helpful and not make the same mistake as the first book- so it was all good intentions :)

Content

• Language: 
• Occasional uses of "damn" and "damned."

• Sexual content: 
• A few innocent kisses between a married couple, hardly described.

• Violence
• Quite a bit of violence referred to as part of the French Revolution: frequent mentions of people being guillotined, hanged, shot, beaten, and tortured.
• One of Robespierre's men gloats over having put civilians in a ship tied up and watching them drown- men, women and children.
• A whole town is threatened that the breadwinner in each family will be shot- lots of torture and anxiety related to this.
• Characters spend time in prison where the conditions are not good and they are under constant threat of death.


• Other themes:
• Suspense related to constant threat of being shot or sent to the guillotine.
• Robespierre decides that the only religion in France is worshipping the "goddess of reason." They have an actress portray her in a parade and civilians are forced to worship her.

Overall Thoughts

The Scarlet Pimpernel is one of my very favorite books of all time- I've read it every 2-3 years since I was about 11. I didn't know until a few years ago that there was a SEQUEL!! Actually many sequels! I was so excited, but immediately skeptical, because how could anything be as fabulous as the first book? But this second book was every bit as witty, clever, romantic, adventurous, and suspenseful as the first book. In fact, the intensity is ramped up even more in this story as more people are involved, and the stakes are even higher. Percy's response to the suspense and the ending of this story is brilliant, and I laughed outloud both times reading it. This second book is also really fun because Marguerite knows her husband's secret and they are on the same team throughout the book, instead of being at odds with each other. If you loved the first book, don't hesitate to read this one too! I promise you will bite your nails from suspense, swoon at Percy and Marguerite's romance, and drop your jaw and applaud at the brilliant and audacious ending of this adventure.