The Scarlet Pimpernel

"The Scarlet Pimpernel" by Baroness Orczy is a historical novel written in the early 20th century. Set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, the story centers around a mysterious Englishman known as the Scarlet Pimpernel, who undertakes daring rescues of aristocrats from the grips of death at the guillotine. The protagonist's dual identity creates a tense atmosphere as he navigates the tumultuous political landscape, highlighting themes of bravery, loyalty, and sacrifice. At the start of the novel, the grim realities of the Reign of Terror in Paris are depicted. The atmosphere is charged with violence as the guillotine claims countless lives, and the bloodthirsty crowd eagerly anticipates the next execution. Sergeant Bibot, on guard at the barricades, takes pride in thwarting the escape attempts of fleeing aristocrats, while rumors swirl about a band of Englishmen whose leader, the enigmatic Scarlet Pimpernel, manages to outsmart the authorities and save victims from certain death. The narrative canvasses the fear and desperation of those on the run, as well as the zealous excitement of the citizens relishing their newfound power and vengeance, setting the stage for a gripping tale of heroism amidst chaos. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Baroness Emma Orczy, usually known as Baroness Orczy or to her family and friends as Emmuska Orczy, was a Hungarian-born British novelist and playwright. She is best known for her series of novels featuring the Scarlet Pimpernel, the alter ego of Sir Percy Blakeney, a wealthy English fop who turns into a quick-thinking escape artist in order to save French aristocrats from "Madame Guillotine" during the French Revolution, establishing the "hero with a secret identity" in popular culture.