The Prisoner of Zenda & Rupert of Hentzau (The World's Best Reading)

by Anthony Hope

Paper Book, 2008

Status

Available

Call number

HOPE

Series

Ruritania (Omnibus 1-2)

Genres

Publication

The Reader's Digest Association, Inc (2008), Edition: 1st, 437 pages

Description

Two famous novels of high adventure in one volume Life for the young, blue-blooded Rupert Rassendyll is a round of carefree entertainments. Meanwhile in the central European state of Ruretania things are not going well. Political intrigue threatens to usurp the soon to be crowned dissolute playboy, Prince Rudolf. The aristocracy support Rudolf, but a pretender-Rudolf's half brother Michael-is waiting in the wings to take the throne by ensuring there are no other living claimants. Rassendyll-as a result of a dubious bloodline-bears a striking resemblance to Prince Rudolf. The Royalists persuade him to join their cause and so begins a dangerous and heart-stopping adventure of switched identities, assassination and love as each party attempts to outwit and eliminate the other. The villainous Rupert of Hentzau is determined to put an end to Rassendyll and it is his name that titles the sequel to the first of these well-beloved tale of daring and flashing blades which romps on for a generous second episode.… (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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