The Prisoner of Zenda: Dystopian Novel
By Anthony Hope
4/5
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About this ebook
Anthony Hope
Sir Anthony Hope Hawkins was born in 1863 and, after taking a degree at Oxford University, was called to the bar in 1887. He initially combined a successful career as a barrister with writing but the immediate success of his tenth book, The Prisoner of Zenda (1894), allowed him to become a full-time writer. The novel spawned a new genre – Ruritanian romance – and has been adapted numerous times for film, television and stage. In all, Hope wrote thirty-two works of fiction and an autobiography. At the close of the First World War he was knighted for his contribution to propaganda work. Hope died in 1933.
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Reviews for The Prisoner of Zenda
544 ratings23 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Rudolf Rassendyll made a good fight to rescue the king. I was surprised that he was brave. I also enjoyed the love between Rudlf and Princess Flavia.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How nice when a classic actually is a classic. After a bit of a silly start, Hope's book kicks into high gear when its hero arrives in Ruritania, whose monarch, though a family indiscretion a few generations ago, he happens to resemble closely enough to be an identical twin. Although he appears in the opening chapters to be a lazy upper class Englishman, he turns out to be brave, resourceful, and true to his purpose when he has to impersonate the king to prevent his evil brother from stealing the throne. Along the way, there are beautiful and mysterious women, swordplay, great villains, and great allies as well. The book only suffers a half star reduction in comparison with the perfection of something like Sabatini's Captain Blood.Please read this - don't worry that you have seen film versions of it in various guises all your life. You will still immensely enjoy your time in Ruritania.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5'The Prisoner of Zenda' is a page-turning adventure story, driven by its colourful characters. I came to it after seeing the 1937 film and found the book every page as exciting as the film. It is a short novel, made shorter by the compelling style of Antony Hope. I also enjoyed the way it discussed the idea of dopplegangers, although was slightly dissapointed that it did not offer more food for thought on this aspect. I was hoping for a great adventure story combined with a look at literary doubles, in the vein of 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde'; in the end it is just a great adventure story and an interesting glance into a late 19th century English writer's view of the world.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The original Ruritanian romance - adventure, love, loyalty, drama, what more could you want! Rudolph Rassendyll takes a holiday to Ruritania and discovers his likeness to the soon to be crowned monarch (result of a family scandal several generations previously) leads him into trouble, impersonation and forbidden romance! Great fun, I see the genesis of John Buchan's Dixon McCunn...
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Another 1001 Children's Book to Read Before I Grow Up read. Another to cross off my list.This one is action and adventure and mistaken identities and kings and beautiful princesses and castles. The ending was a little too open-ended (had to leave things open for a sequel, I suppose) for my liking, but, overall, a good read.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Rudolf Rassendyll went to the castle of Zenda rescue the king.This was adventure story.I like this story because it was exciting.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Following a 'normal' opening chapter, featuring the hero - Rudolph - chatting with his brother and sister-in-law at their English home, the tale moves quickly from a realist setting to dangerous adventure in the fictitious country of Ruriritania.I enjoyed this novel on the whole but at times I found it slightly irritating owing to long explanations of what the protagonists were 'going to do'. As predicted, whenever these explanations occur they seldom go ahead as planned, leading to a different outcome. This change in outcome, of course, leads to a long explanation of why things went wrong.On the plus side, Rudolph's first person narrative is essentially upbeat. Mr Hope has created some fine characters and his plotting skills are admirable.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I was inspired to read this tale of late nineteenth century swashbuckling in middle Europe by a recent rewatching of the Tom Baker Doctor Who story The Androids of Tara, which is a pastiche of Zenda. It's funny and quite dramatic, though I did find some of the descriptions of treachery and deception dragged a bit. 3.5/5
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I was reminded of "The Prince and the Pauper" while reading the "Prisoner of Zenda" - mainly through the switching of people in their role's. I enjoyed the themes of loyalty, honor and friendship. This is a quick, enjoyable read.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5This story is adventure. So I was very excited.Rudolf fighted enemy and saved Prince.He is cool and brave man.I want him to live happy life.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Here's an adventure for you. No nonsense swashbuckler in the fictional land of Ruritania. King Rudolf is taken hostage by his brother "Black Michael" - just so you're not confused about the villain here. A visiting gentlemen - who tells this story - is a distant cousin of the King and resembles him so much that he is able to impersonate the King at his coronation. With a band of friends loyal to the King he tries to rescue King Rudolf at the castle where Black Michael has imprisoned him. And he also have time to fall in love with the Kings betrothed, Princess Flavia.Oh, yes - swordfights, dashing ladies in despair and witty dialogue. What's not to like :)
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A rattling good read - not high literature, but certainly high adventure. Kingly doubles, distressed damsels and princesses, noble heroes and dastardly villains! I shall now seek out the sequel, Rupert of Hentzau
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5A silly though often imitated plot device, stretched thin over a book that is short anyway. Well, at least I know what the story is now.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This is a little gem of a book, full of mistaken identity, double dealing, derring do, romance and duty. A son of English family with links (on the wrong side of the blanket) to the Ruritanian royal house takes it into his head to visit the country to see the new King crowned. He meets the king and finds that they share a striking resemblance - and a name. Due to treachery by the king's half brother, the king is unable to be crowned, so Rudolf takes his place.the remainder of the book concerns the slightly hairbrained schemes that take place to extricate the rightful king and put him back on his throne. Along the way Rudolf meets the King's intended, cousin Flavia and they fall in love. It all ends as you might expect, but it is a bittersweet ending. It was a fast paced, quite engaging read, with lots of action and intrigue and a complete set of engaging characters.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5A pleasant little romp. Rudolf Rassendyll's family has a bit of royal blood from the Ruritanian royal family. It shows up occasionally when someone is born with an amazing head of red hair. Rudolf is interested in his history enough to go to Ruritania to witness the coronation of the king. He is discovered by friends of the king and they dine together at a roadside inn. Someone, however, slips some poison to the king. They immediately suspect the king's brother, Black Michael, and hatch a plot to substitute Rudolf to take his place until he is well enough to take over thereby spoiling Black Michael's plan.This was a cute story. I'm sure I've seen one of the movie versions - there have been several starring Ronald Coleman, Stewart Granger, and my favorite, Peter Sellers.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The most famous of these "Graustarkian novels". A fun read.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Rudolf Rassendyll visit Ruritania to see the king Rudolf Elphbergh.one day they met accidently at the certain.town and surprisingly, he resembled the king... This is an adventure story.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This is a really cool novel. It is the arch-type for the swashbuckling adventure novel. All about a King that is drugged and taken prisoner by his evil half-brother and a look alike is recruited to play the king and save the kingdom. There is much sword-fighting and action as well as just the right amount of romance. A great read.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5This story just didn't do it for me. The supporting characters were wooden and lifeless. I just didn't care.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Hope's classic novel is a great read from beginning to end. The characters are well drawn and compelling. If you loved the movie (the Ronald Coleman version), you'll love the book, which provides a bit more background to the story.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5One of my very favorite books.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This is simple story. This story is adventure so I was excited.I like this story.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5This is the classic of impersonation fantasy. There are plot holes through which one may drive a coach and four, but the unrelenting pace of the narrative carries the reader through a fine night's entertainment. Anthony Hope was a far superior stylist to Howard or Lovecraft. Originally published in 1894, it stands up well.