Relevant Fiction Reviews: Classics (II)

Relevant Fiction Reviews

Classics The Scarlet Pimpernel, Jane Eyre & The Moviegoer: My takes in Relevant Fiction Reviews. Click To Tweet

The Scarlet PimpernelThe Scarlet Pimpernel by Emmuska Orczy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

While I was familiar with the book’s title, I had absolutely no idea what to expect from The Scarlet Pimpernel. I found the first few chapters slow, but once the narrative concentrated on Sir Percy and Lady Marguerite, I was hooked.

The Scarlet Pimpernel’s daring and courageous rescue of French aristocrats during the French Revolution made for exciting adventure. Coupled with the self-discovery made by the Blakeneys, I thoroughly enjoyed the tale. Their eventual humiliation (in the true sense of being humbled) and sacrifice for one another made for a satisfying ending.

Probably the most fun I’ve had with a classic!


The MoviegoerThe Moviegoer by Walker Percy
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I’d been wanting to read one of Walker Percy’s books for a long time. I guess the most indicting thing I can say about this book is that I found it very easy to put down and forget about.

I normally tear through books in a couple of days, and this relatively short book took weeks to get through.

The last two sections held my attention much better than the beginning and middle, but, overall, the meandering style, however expertly written, couldn’t hold my interest.

That said, there are some interesting philosophical questions raised and some beautifully written passages. I’m willing to give Percy’s work another shot before I write him off as one of those authors I don’t quite “get.”


Jane EyreJane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I first read Jane Eyre in high school. Of all the required reading I did in high school, it was one of my favorites. Flash forward a couple of decades, and I thought it was time for a re-read. Charlotte Bronte’s novel hadn’t lost its luster.

I recently read Erin McCole Cupp’s sci-fi retelling of Jane Eyre, The Memoirs of Jane E, Friendless Orphan. (It’s available as a series of e-books – Unclaimed, Nameless, and Vanished – which I HIGHLY RECOMMEND.) After reading the modernized adaption, I was eager to re-read the original.

Here’s where having a horrible memory pays off: I was able to enjoy details on the third go-round that I’d missed before or long forgotten. Additionally, reading Cupp’s adaption brought new insights into the characters, circumstances, and salient points of Bronte’s classic.

To me, Jane Eyre has what it takes to keep me re-reading. A strong heroine whose self-deprecation and poverty (not necessarily monetary poverty) make her relatable. A firm moral backbone. A bit of mystery with some surprising twists. And enough of the weird and eccentric to spark curiosity and interest.


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7 thoughts on “Relevant Fiction Reviews: Classics (II)

  1. I have some friends who keep,recommending Walker Percy. I’ve tried “The Moviegoer” and “Love in the Ruins” and I just can’t force myself to continue reading either of them. Hope they won’t revoke my M.A. for this …

    • I’m willing to give Love in the Ruins a shot, but I fear I may feel the same. I’m finishing Brideshead Revisited for the 2nd time, and despite how well loved it is, it is definitely not among my favorites. Don’t even get me started on Moby Dick.

  2. I also could not finish the Moviegoer, but I enjoyed Jane Eyre and I loved Erin McCole Cupp’s reboot of Jane Eyre (The Memoirs of Jane E) even more! I’ve been wanting to read the Scarlet Pimpernel for some time now. So I’d better get to the library!

  3. I remember loving the Scarlet Pimpernel ! Funny story about it, we would read the story aloud with my mom (we learned great public speaking from all the books we did this with – we had to be clearly heard over the frying pan!). Anyway, we were nearly three quarters of the way through the book when we realized that “dem” was the accented version of “damn”, and not just an article identifying an object!

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