Popular Fiction Transformed to True Literary Art

books:


	• Zorro: A Novel Isabel Allende, 2005 - 400 pages average customer review:based on 126 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Popular Fiction Transformed to True Literary Art

I can think of very few novels that teenage boys would like and that also have true literary merit: Twain's _Huckleberry Finn_, Salinger's _Catcher in the Rye_ and now Allende's _Zorro_. This novel touches on the timeless themes of race, class, and spirituality but all within a wonderful adventure story. In the same way that Beethoven and Handel would take drinking songs and other popular tunes and use them as the basis for hymns and symphonies, Allende has taken a story with characters and plot outlines already familiar to most readers from pulp novels, movies and TV shows and has turned it into a wonderful work of literary art.

In the course of the novel, we learn how Diego de la Vega took the name Zorro, where he learned swordsmanship and the the use of disguise, why his faithful friend Bernardo doesn't speak and why they both champion the poor and dispossessed. By giving motivation and context for Zorro's actions, he becomes a real human being not just a two-dimensional action hero. In my favorite passage from the book, after the evil Moncada attacked Bernardo without provocation, Diego challanged Moncada to a duel and asked his fencing instructor, Manuel Escalante, to serve as a second.

"A duel is a serious matter that concerns a gentleman's honor. It has a very strict etiquette and norms. A caballero does not fight a duel over a servant," said Manuel Escalante.

"Bernardo is my brother, maestro, not my servant. Bet even if he were, it isn't fair to mistreat someone who is unarmed."

"Not fair you say? Do you truly believe that life is fair, Senor de la Vega?"

"No, maestro, but I plan to do everything in my power to make it so," Diego replied.

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Celebrada escritoria latinoamericana

Una novela embelesante - I'm sure the English version will also be quite good.

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'Indiana Jones' for the Literary Set

Even though I loved 'Houe of the Spirits', I probably never would've picked this up had it not been for the glowing recommendation from a friend. I really didn't think it was something that would interest me at all, my only real exposure to Zorro being George Hamilton in that cheesy 80s film, 'The Gay Blade'. That said, this is fantastic. Focusing on the origins of the man who became Zorro presents a fascinating and page turning adventure yarn. Never a dull moment, this is the perfect book to escape for a few hours, unfolding like an edge of your seat Saturday movie serial.

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Zorro

Isabel Allende is a great writer and she shows this again in her last book Zorro. It's about a boy Diego (half white/half indian) who grows up together with his Indian 'brother'. When they're older they part for Barcelona where Diego will learn about love and justice and where he will be admitted to a secret society for Justice: that's where he will gets his name ZORRO. It's a book about life, poverty, justice and love: themes frequently found in Allende. Daily things which are developed more profoundly and thus makes it interesting to read. No thrilling, exciting, spectacular things, just a normal boy who lives his life. I would just say: read the book and you'll find out for yourself.

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Zorro

If you've wondered how Zorro became who he was, wonder no more. Allende has given us a rich novel of early California, with panoramic view of those early days and of Spain of that period as well. The story gives the reader an insight into the relationship between Diego de la Vega and his father, and also with Bernardo. Those of you who remember the original TV series will remember Bernardo, the mute servant who got mislaid in the several reincarnations since then. Allende gives a marvelous tale that, although giving a new interpretation, remains true to the original story.

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reviews: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, page 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20

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