The Scarlet Pimpernel

Daring adventures, sword-fighting encounters, dangerous villains, virtuous heroes, and stirring romance – all memorably packaged in the twists and turns of each page composing The Scarlet Pimpernel. With its thrilling plot, succinct chapters, and substantive character arcs, this short novel could spark a love of reading in any high schooler and deepen the passion for books in those seeking their next engaging story.

Nestled within the context of the French Revolution, the storyline follows an English hero who bravely saves French aristocrats from the ravenous guillotine. Yet, the plot adds complexity when this hero must weave in and out of evil men seeking to capture him, a family that misperceives his true identity, and a yearning to protect those closest to him, even as he feels betrayed by them. In addition, each chapter averages about nine pages (in my copy, at least), making this an excellent work to focus on, a chapter per sitting. So, if you’re looking for a thrilling plot that is a manageable amount of reading for a novel, The Scarlet Pimpernel will be a phenomenal purchase for your student’s library.

By Josh Grover