The Prisoner of Zenda and Rupert of Hentzau (Penguin Classics)

by Anthony Hope

Ebook, 2000

Status

Available

Call number

823.8

Publication

Penguin Classics (2000), 132 pages

Description

Sir Anthony Hope Hawkins (1863-1933) was training to become a lawyer and barrister when he wrote his sixth novel, "The Prisoner of Zenda", in 1894. It took one month to finish the first draft, and it quickly achieved such great success that Hope turned to full-time writing. The story is set in the fictional country of Ruritania, on the eve of the new king's coronation. When the king is suddenly abducted, an Englishman who bears a striking resemblance to him is brought in as a political decoy. Like most of Hope's stories, the novel is full of plot twists, complications, villains, forbidden love, and an ultimate sense of duty. Included in this volume is the sequel to "Zenda", "Rupert of Hentzau", which deals with the same fictional country, and many of the same characters. These two works are classics of English literature, whose themes and attraction transcend time, and have inspired many stage, film and television adaptations.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member MarquesadeFlambe

The first book is an all-time classic of adventure fiction--quick, fun, witty, and memorable. The sequel is weaker, but definitely has its moments. This is one of the few times when I actually like a book cover using a shot from the movie.

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LibraryThing member ocianain

What is it about the English? On one hand they're a raging, thieving horde grinding weaker peoples beneath their booted heel, on the other hand, they write the some of the best fiction out there. This is some of the best of the best. In a ironic twist of fate a Englishman works to save an oppressed

people from tyrany. Great books.

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LibraryThing member antiquary

One of my all-time favorites, chiefly for Prisoner --Rupert is too sad for me. I can still recall reading it I suppose about 50 years ago. I also love the movie versions.

LibraryThing member raizel

SPOILER: i was excited to learn that there was a sequel and hoped that at last that true love wouldn't have to yield to honor and responsibility. Instead, what I remember from reading the sequel is that the structure is very like the original and we never learn what the main character decides.

LibraryThing member SandyAMcPherson

Long ago as a teenager, I enjoyed this swash-buckling romantic adventure. In this re-read (decades later) one of my new impressions is that author Anthony Hope may well have written a satire on late nineteenth-century European politics. As such, it is a rollicking adventure, including over-the-top

derring do.

The original plot was clever, the twin to a king successfully masquerading to hide the fact the real crown prince was incapacitated by his villainous brother to prevent the coronation. Unfortunately, I found so much of the fantastic action became tedious and unrealistic. By current standards, it reads as rather turgid, repetitive sequences with too-abrupt changes in pacing and a plot with obviously fated love. By all means, it will appeal to readers who enjoy cavalier, rambunctious action somewhat like the action in The Scarlet Pimpernel, which Baroness Orczy wrote in 1905.

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