Prisoner of Zenda

Rating:
Summary: Definitive Ruritanian intrigue ...
Review: ... literally so, since it was with this novel that Ruritania was born. I would go so far as to say that the story is faultless up until the moment of the coronation, and perhaps some way beyond. Then there is an impasse between protagonists and villains - fair enough - and it becomes clear that Hope has written himself into a hole which he will have some difficulty getting himself out of. He doesn't quite succeed. The solution to Hope's puzzle fizzes a bit. -Ah, but what does it matter. Very entertaining.

Rating:
Summary: "Prisoner of Zenda"--with high Hopes
Review: Anthony Hope's "Prisoner of Zenda" was the best novel I have read in years. The author does a marvelous job at bringing to life the main character, Rudolf Rassendyll, and tells of this hero's adventures in a witty, humorous manner. The book's brevity adds to the intensity of the plot, and condenses a wild three month period of espionage and adventure into a leisurely afternoon of reading. All in all, a six star rating! Two thumbs up and two big toes, too!

Rating:
Summary: A great pair of books
Review: At some point in their lives everyone wishes they could trade places with someone famous. And if you happen to look like royalty, so much the better. Rudolf Rassendyll quickly discovers what it's like to be king, and it's a lot more dangerous than he thought... The plot is summarized elsewhere so suffice it to say you'll find all the elements of a great swashbuckler in these pages: intrigue, romance, a charming rogue and of course a cunning enemy. Paired with the harder to find Rupert of Hentzau (not as good, but still worth it... a closure issue...) make this a fun read anytime. There's a reason this book has been in print for more than a century, there's a reason nine movies have been made about it.. IT'S THAT GOOD!



Rating:
Summary: I loved it!
Review: Buy it, read it, re-read it! A book that will thrill teenage boys and make teenage girls sigh. A good entertaining story.

Rating:
Summary: Live a fascinating life
Review: For that is the most precious gift literature has to give: the chance to live many different lives, completely distinct from our own rutines. Imagine that you go on vacation to a tiny country, and find out that the new king looks just like you. Then, hours before the coronation, he is kidnapped by the bad guys, and you have to substitute for him in the throne... and by the side of the queen, the lovely Flavia. But then the fight is just beginning. This is a wonderful book, the kind of simple and intriguing story that is the bottom-line of pure fiction. But, as with all good novels, you can find here, in an unpretentious way, glimpses into the soul of people. The end of the story is a subtle drama, resolved in the best and non-childish way: resorting to honor and nobility. Nobody who reads this novel can be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: Better than the Movie..and the Movie was GREAT!
Review: I am not going to rehash the plot. The other reviewers have already done that, probably better than I could have. I just wanted to comment that this novel is quite entertaining and not at all boring. It is well-written (at times more exciting than many current "popular" adventure novels) and not as stuffy as one would think of a book published in 1894. It offers cliffhanging chapters, foreign intrigue, romance, swordplay, and lots of derring-do. The villain, Rupert, is a nastier character than all of the other nasties that Rudolf contends with...but he's somehow likeable. I guess because I actually saw him as the movie star Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. portrayed him. At any rate, it's no wonder this novel was made into a great movie. It's a great book.

Rating:
Summary: Good adventure story
Review: I had to read this novel for a class over ten years ago, and it was so exciting I still remember it. A visiting Englishman who is a dead ringer for the missing kidnapped king becomes embroiled in a plot to stop the evil uncle from taking the throne. While the storyline may seem obvious(you just know he's going to pose as the king), the author throws in a few twists and keeps the action moving. This novel is light and entertaining reading, similar to Alexander Dumas "The Three Musketeers"(though not nearly as long). Check it out for a good adventure of swords and swashbucklers.

Rating:
Summary: Amazingly Good
Review: I have to admit that I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this novel. I bought it when it was required reading for a class in college, and managed to get through the class without reading it. I have since picked it up and read it cover to cover. I was not dissapointed as I had originally thought I would be.

This is a charming tale. A little bit of romance, a lot of adventure, and an unforgettable tale. I really would recomend this novel to anyone who enjoys reading as they would be pleasantly surprised.

Rating:
Summary: It's my favorite!
Review: I love the Prisoner of Zenda. There's so much going on, and it is so interesting to see how the story turns out. At the very beginning, when Rudolf Rassendyl was going over his relation to the Eldorphs it was slightly slow, but other than that the book was excellent!

Rating:
Summary: What an Excelent book!
Review: I loved Anthony Hope's style and imagination while reading this book. It portrays the good-guy, bad-guy scenerio as we all wish it to be. Many tricky and devious criminals sceme against the King and and his little-known double, Rudolph Rassendyl.
The night before his coranation, the King is poisoned by his brother, and Rudolph must take his place at the coranation. But afterwards, when Rudolph and the King's servants come back to return the King to his thrown; he is gone.
Rudolph is now trapped as the King of Ruritania, with mixed feelings on whether to rescue the King. In the end Rudolph makes the right choice and rescues his king from his brother, the duke. After his show of heroism, he is quickly forgotten and returns to his normal life.
In the end Anthony Hope's description of the characters and misfortune leaves you begging for more and in the sequal, the characters return to finish the dispute once and for all.