'The Scarlet Pimpernel' by Baroness Emmuska Orczy

The Scarlet Pimpernel is a romantic adventure story, Set at the time of French Revolution. Sir Percy, a charismatic English aristocrat, is the protagonist of this novel. He and his adventure-loving friends, known as the the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel, set out to rescue the members of the French aristocracy from the daily execution at the guillotine during the reign of terror. Sir Percy, or the Scarlet Pimpernel - is a master of disguise, elusive and able to escape from the stickiest situation. Like a clever thief, every time the Scarlet Pimpernel escapes, he leaves a card with a picture of scarlet pimpernel behind for his enemies. The Scarlet Pimpernel becomes a sensation and the French authorities start an international manhunt to catch him. It is a slow-paced novel, with a strong, unpredictable plot - that would keep the reader occupied.

Orczy, Emmuska. The Scarlet Pimpernel, London : Everyman’s Library, 1999.

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'The Three Musketeers' by Alexandre Dumas

Alexandre Dumas’ The Three Musketeers is historical adventure novel. Originally published in French in 1844, this novel quickly became one of the best selling novels of English language. The novel is set in 17th century France. D’Artagnan, the protagonist, a poor boy from the provinces sets out to join the king’s bodyguard in Paris and become a Musketeer. His companions are the magnificent trio - Athos, Porthos and Aramis. Along the path of fulfilling his dreams, D’Artagnan finds that the evil Cardinal has disbanded the Musketeers to uproot the current King of France. They face conspiracy, misadventure and assassination - among other things. The Three Musketeers is a fast-paced adventure novel, with enchanting description of characters and settings, sword-fighting, French court politics and timeless love.

Dumas, Alexandre. The Three Musketeers, New York : Everyman’s Library, 2011.

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