The Mark of Zorro

Rating:
Summary: This is the best book I have read
Review: I first read this book when my friend, Murphy, bought it. He let me read it. It is the best book I have ever read. Diego de la Vega is by day the boring foppish man who can't stand violence but by night he rides the highway of El Camino Real as Zorro protecting the people of Los Angeles in the 1820's. It is funny how Lolita Pulido ( Zorro's love) despises Diego but is in love with the handsome fox known as Zorro. To conclude my review of Johnston McCully's book the Mark of Zorro, I say it is action-packed, romantic and just plain good. I give it a five star rating.

Rating:
Summary: Yeah very addictive!
Review: I was at work and took the phone off the hook to finish the final chapter. great stuff. great flik as well with Tyyone Power!

Rating:
Summary: Yeah very addictive!
Review: I was at work and took the phone off the hook to finish the final chapter. great stuff. great flik as well with Tyyone Power!

Rating:
Summary: A GREAT BOOK!
Review: I wonder if Johnston McCulley had any idea what he was starting when he first wrote THE CURSE OF CAPISTRANO, as the story was titled when it was first published as a serial in a pulp magazine. Had it not been for Douglas Fairbanks, it would probably have ended with that one novel. I'm glad it turned out differently, as the Zorro legend has become such an ingrained part of our culture and sparked so many more stories, as well as movies and TV series! Don Diego Vega is a lifeless, spineless wimp--or so he would have the world believe. He won't engage in duels, won't romance pretty young ladies, won't engage in any of the activities expected of young gentlemen of that era. He only courts Lolita Pulido because his father has ordered him to get himself a wife, and even then, he does it in such a lifeless manner that Lolita can't stand him. All the while, however, he leads a double life that nobody knows about. At night, he dons a mask and costume, and calls himself Zorro (fox). As Zorro, he is everything Don Diego is not. He duels with soldiers and laughs as he does so. He romances Lolita in a passionate, yet gentlemanly manner, and defends her honor with a wicked captain. He persuades a group of young caballeros to stand up to tyranny, which in the end saves his life and Lolita's. THE MARK OF ZORRO is an exciting, adventure-filled, romantic novel. I recommend it to everyone.

Rating:
Summary: A pleasant romp through Spanish California
Review: Most people are familiar with the story of Zorro, bland Caballero by day, masked rogue by night. This book, a reprint of the 1919 serial, is the genesis of many movies, several TV shows, and numerous other Zorro stories by McCulley. While not a great book, it provides a few hours of diversion.

The story revolves around a trio of suitors for Lolita: Diego Vega, spiritless heir to the largest fortune in California, Captain Ramon, commandant of the presideo, who is not above blackmail and deceit to achieve his aims, and Zorro, the masked rogue who defends the mistreated and downtrodden. The plot is predicatably familiar and McCulley demonstrates only an adequate writing style. That "The Curse of Capistrano" (only later retitled "The Mark of Zorro") achieved success is due to McCulley's blending of a spirited heroine, a dashing, daring hero, the timeless story of good versus evil, and some dashes of humor. The book also contains a fourteen page forward discussing the book from a historical perspective. I found this informative and a worthwhile addition.

While not as good as similar books, for example "The Scarlet Pimpernal", it is still an enjoyable way to spend a rainy afternoon. Shhh, shhh, shhh.

Rating:
Summary: The Good Guy Wears Black!
Review: This book is a fun, easy read. Anyone who likes action and adventure, and who likes to see the good guy win, will not be disappointed!

Rating:
Summary: Great Book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You Can Tell By Those Exclamation
Review: This book will give you a huge pulse of eagerness to remind you not to put it down ever! This book is one of a kind and will bring out the true Zorro. It flows very smoothly and the characters are described in great depth and descriptions. It can't get better than this if you like amazing stories (who wouldn't) then get this book as if your life depended on it. Why are you reading this i said go get it now!

Rating:
Summary: Ultimately the Greatest romance/adventure novel
Review: This is my all time favorite book. I have read it again and again. Johnston McCulley is an exceptional writer that pulls you in until the last page and makes you thirst for more. This book is a must. I would recomend it to anyone who ever dreamed of a hero in black. Who loves romance or just in it for a good adventure.

Rating:
Summary: Great fun, but loses steam towards the end
Review: This is the story that started the legend, and whether your image of Zorro is based on Douglas Fairbanks Sr., Tyrone Power, Guy Williams, or Anthony Hopkins/Antonio Banderas (or, for that matter, Alex Toth's comic book adaptation!), I doubt you will be disappointed. It's still quite readable eight decades later (which is harder to claim for, say, The Scarlet Pimpernel), and once you've read it you'll understand why the character and story have enjoyed such staying power (unlike, say, The Scarlet Pimpernel). Keeping in mind that the story was originally serialized, one begins to feel after the midpoint of the book that the author has lost his intial enthusiasm and is trying to finish it off quickly and without too much effort. It becomes more difficult to sustain the suspension of disbelief, and the final scene, in which the hero unnecessarily explains himself is a bit embarrassing to read. Apparently McCulley hadn't anticipated demand for a sequal. I'm curious to find out now how he did manage to write so many sequals, considering that the identity of the Fox is revealed, dramatically and irrevocably, at the end of this book. Thus the three stars are for the weak ending, but I don't consider three stars to be bad at all. This is really a must read for anyone who enjoys classic, unpretentious adventure.

Rating:
Summary: Adventure at its greatest!
Review: Warning!!! This book is extremely addictive!!! If you do not like non-stop action, look elsewhere!!! This book was so much fun to read. Zorro, The Curse of Capistrano, is about a masked man that rides around old Southern California helping "settle the score" against the corrupt government and its army who abuse and persecute the native peasants, and innocent and hard working people of good blood. Zorro is a one man army that creates a huge thorn in the side for Sergeant Gonzales, his captain, and for the Governor. Zorro is a master with the sword; and a expert horse rider. He has nerves of steel, and his courage is never ending. The author did a great job at keeping you at the edge of your seat. The book became harder to put down as chapters go by. I orginally use to watch Zorro on TV when I was a kid and had always enjoyed it. So, after reading other reviews about this book, I knew that I had to get this!! Boy, was I in for a treat. It is a super good book, a super good story line that will keep you glued to the book to the very end. I would without a doubt, buy this book again!!!!