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Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 823.8
EAN num: 9780140437553
ISBN number: 014043755X
Label: Penguin Classics
Manufacturer: Penguin Classics
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 400
Printing Date: January 01, 2000
Publishing house: Penguin Classics
Sale Popularity Level: 284839
Studio: Penguin Classics
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Product Description:
Rudolph Rassendyll's quiet life is interrupted by his unexpected and personal involvement in the affairs of Ruritania, whilst travelling through the town of Zenda, finding himself engaged in plans to rescue the imprisoned king.
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Rated by buyers 
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This book is the basis of the movie. The story of a happily apathetic Englishman, descended of a scandalous affair between one of his ancestors and a member of the Ruritanian Royal Family, who decides on a whim to visit Ruritania to see the coronation of their King. The king and our hero turn out to be as like as a set of twins, which comes in handy when the king is kidnapped by his evil half brother and the fate of Ruritania lies in jeopardy. Throw in a beautiful princess, the dashing villain Rupert of Hentzau, and plenty of intrigue and you have one of the great adventure stories. FYI the book is written in the very first person, which gets you more personally tied up in the action/emotion. It was a great read. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys adventure stories.
Rated by buyers 
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The Prisoner of Zenda is a fast-paced adventure romance that rewards the reader with clearly defined characters and moral values. If you want a story that leaves you feeling good at the end, this is a good one to read. The language is a bit archaic at times and some of the dialogue is stilted. But these failings do not materially interfere with enjoying the book.
Rated by buyers -
This is a quick review of the Penguin edition, which contains both the classic original novel and its sequel. Both are good reads though quite different. Personally, I preferred the darker and more dramatic sequel; in "Zenda" everything just kind of works itself out and I thought it was just a tad campy.
Well, they're light adventure novels set in the mid-19th century or thereabouts. Not sure where exactly the fictitious kingdom of Ruritania is supposed to be, but I would guess in the neighborhood of Austria or Hungary. The novels feature swordplay, gunfights, romance, and plenty of plot twists (especially the sequel). Very well penned, written in a direct style with outstanding word choice.
In both novels, Rudolf Rassendyl gets himself neck-deep in Ruritanian politics despite the fact that he's a foreigner and total stranger to the people. What enables this is that he's a spitting image of the king, also named Rudolf. This remarkable coincidence is at the heart of the plots of both novels.
It's interesting comparing these novels with "The Count of Monte Cristo" by Dumas, which I'm now reading. "Count" is deeper, more descriptive, paced much slower, and requires more thought. Well, in my book, those elements are part of what it takes to make a five-star novel. "Zenda" and "Rupert" are too on the light side to hit the top of my scale. But I still enjoyed them and recommend them to those looking for a fast-paced yarn set in bygone times.
I finished this book on a flight to Bulgaria a month ago and just left it in the seat pocket. I hope someone found it and is enjoying it now!
Rated by buyers -
A good swashbuckling novel is indispensable. Fencing, fighting, swimming across moats, humor, true love, blue hair... and of course, there's a sad ending, so we've got all the essential elements of good literature here.
Rated by buyers -
I have been an voracious reader since I was in the second grade; a bout of mononucleosis and the discovery of the Hardy boys in the third grade sealed the deal for me, and I have been reading furiously ever since. This book, perhaps more than any other I had read in those formative years, thrilled me to my bones and forged me into a lifelong committed adventure reader. They say you never forget your very first love, and I have never forgotten the Prisoner of Zenda. It has EVERYTHING a young boy could desire in an adventure book: travel to a distant country, nefarious villains, royalty, beautiful damsels, dashing military officers accoutered with flashing sabers and charging steeds, castles, kidnappings, escapes, swashbuckling....my knees buckle a little bit just thinking about it again. This book literally imprinted me for everything I have read in the genre since then and stirred in me a desire for travel and adventure that has led me all around the globe several times in my life. I do not think it is a stretch to say that this book may very well have changed the course of my life, nudging me into certain dreams and hopes that I have happily chased ever since. I've ordered it today, desiring to read it again and compare it to my 8 year old memories of it, but, more importantly, I also wish to present it to my son and hope it opens the world to him the same way it did for me.
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