The Scarlet Pimpernel is my literary hero (and news about a giveaway!)


One last book review of sorts before my Historical Fiction September draws to a close. This time I'd like to gush about a book that has a very dear spot in my heart as one of the first historical novels that I fell in love with: The Scarlet Pimpernel.
Oh, there were others before it...I had a healthy diet of Newbery titles in my childhood, and I'd binged on Johnny Tremain, Caddie Woodlawn, Adam of the Road, A Door in the Wall, Strawberry Girl. But The Scarlet Pimpernel was one of the first that made me dream with longing of experiencing that time for myself, despite the blood and violence and injustice of the French Revolution. It made me really think about the injustice itself, apply it to what I knew of today's world, make my own conclusions about the world I lived in as it was in the past and the present. I read it into the “wee hours,” dreamed about it all night, woke up and read it again. Then I pulled out the encyclopedia and read the entry on “French Revolution,” and several “also related” entries as well. I began writing my own novel about an aristocrat who escaped France—wrote exactly 42 pages, which was the most I'd ever written in a story up to that point, before my parents' computer crashed, leaving me with the first 17 that I'd printed out. At which point I realized that the story was really pathetic when you compared it to The Scarlet Pimpernel, which I had just re-read once more.
But recently I started thinking about that story again, and it keeps coming back to me. I lost myself in research for a few hours the other day, and I have the first seeds of a good plot planted in my mind. I know it will take a long time, through seasons of finishing other stories, before those new plants are ready to bear fruit. And I know that whatever it turns into will still pale in comparison to the Glorious Pimpernel in my eyes.
But maybe, someday, a teenager will read it and decide to write a story of her own.
I just hope her computer doesn't crash. :)

In other news... Check out Paula McLaughlin's giveaway of The Faerie Ring, by Kiki Hamilton!! I have spent every free moment since yesterday morning reading my own copy, and it is incredible! 

Comments

  1. This is an amazing story of inspiration! I never read the book I have seen the play several times. I guess I'm missing out. I'll have pick it up sometime!

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  2. I found the Pimpernel in the old school library one day. I remembered how great the old b/w movie had been. I loved that story! Thanks for reminding me about it!

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  3. I love that book...and the movie is great too.

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  4. I have never read this book, but now I am curious to read it. I did see an old movie years ago, and it has always stayed with me.

    How fun to know that you were inspired to write 42 pages! And you will revisit it again ... with a plot to go with it!

    All my novels have been percolating for a good 20 years or so ...

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  5. Wow, what a gorgeous blog you have. I'm also an INFJ, am Elizabeth Bennett, and love historical fiction!

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  6. Would you believe I've never read the SP? I should. My daughter read it last year and loved it. She couldn't stop talking about it for months.

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  7. Off to the library. How did I miss this book?

    I know a teenager someday will read your stories and they be inspired.

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  8. I just downloaded it for free to my kindle from Amazon. Going to read!!!

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  9. I love that feeling when you start thinking about a story again and lose yourself in research! You made me want to go experience that feeling again TODAY.

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  10. Hi Faith,

    I've never read TSP or don't remember every studying the French Revolution (don't ask me why that is....) but I did just read Jennifer Donnelly's REVOLUTION which was quite fascinating. I'll have to check this one out.

    Also, LOVE the new background on your blot - always makes me think of THE WITHERING VINE :-)

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  11. Gosh, I haven't read that book in years, but I remember how much I loved it. Historical fiction is one of my favorites! You've inspired me to pick it up again!

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  12. Hi Faith! I awarded you the Versatile Blogger Award! You may choose to accept or not, but the details are here:

    http://laurastanfill.wordpress.com/2011/10/03/versatile-blogger-award/

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  13. I loved the movie version of The Scarlet Pimpernel, but I haven't read the novel. . . yet. I also loved Johnny Tremain. That novel inspired me to write. Great post!

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