The Scarlet Pimpernel by Orczy (1992, Paperback, Reissue)

I have read this book several times over, and have loved it more each time.
The setting is revolutionary France, and its contemporary England.
The Scarlet Pimpernel is the symbol for a daring Englishman who leads a small group of Englishmen in rescuing doomed French aristocrats from Madame la Guillotine. In the course of the story you come to find out that the Scarlet Pimpernel and his entire league are English aristocrats, with only one exception. The only Frenchman in the league, and the only bourgeois, is Armande St. Just; brother to the brilliant and stunningly beautiful former actress and wife of the infuriatingly foppish Sir Percy Blakeney. Sir Percy, however, is not as stupid as he seems; he is none other than the Scarlet Pimpernel!
Though it may seem that I'm giving away the entire story, this is a tale that doesn't rest on the reader not knowing what is going on; the suspense is that the reader knows some things that the characters don't.
Baroness Orczy writes a brilliant piece of work. This book is easy reading without the plot being painfully simplistic. It's a classic, a timeless tale of adventure, romance, and courage. It is the perfect period romance. The best part is that this is a story for all ages. While small children might not understand it, and teenagers might miss a few things, the book is written in a style that maintains the beauty and honor of love and courage without tainting either with the darker aspects of modern day novels which attempt to show brutal reality without any artistic softening or aspirations to the best in man.
This book is one that you won't want to put down, especially if you enjoy period pieces.

This brilliantly written book has been a longtime favorite of mine. I first read it nearly 20 years ago and read it again recently. I found it every bit as gripping as I did the first time through. I don't often revisit books I've read before...especially ones that are so memorable, but I couldn't resist any longer. It is cleverly written with vivid characters and well orchestrated plot.