Surprising Fresh and Fun Retelling Of A Classic

books:


	• Zorro: A Novel Isabel Allende, 2005 - 400 pages average customer review:based on 125 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

Mayra Calvani

Since its creation in 1919 by pulp writer Johnston McCulley, the character of Zorro has captured the hearts and imaginations of young and old alike. The infamous, romantic hero has been played by numerous actors through the decades, from Douglas Fairbanks Jr. in the 1920's to Antonio Banderas in the late 1990's. Now, Isabel Allende, born in Peru and raised in Chile, bestselling author of highly acclaimed literary works such as The House of the Spirits (1985), adds intricate texture and a new dimension to the legend by blending the two things she is best known for, magic realism and historical fiction.

Born to Alegandro de la Vega, a Spanish aristocrat, and Toypurnia, a Shoshone Indian warrior, Diego de la Vega (a.k.a. Zorro, or "fox" in Spanish) is a product of his mixed heritage. His grandmother, White Owl, a healer and shaman, plays an enormous role in the formation of his character. At an early age, while witnessing the injustice committed against Indians, his alter ego begins to show as he becomes increasingly obsessed with justice. Together with his inseparable, mute friend and "milk" brother Bernardo, Diego is initiated into manhood in the Indian tradition and it is during this experience that he comes into contact with his spirit totem, the fox.

At sixteen, Diego is sent to Barcelona for a classical education and, while perfecting the art of fencing with Manuel Escalante, becomes a member of the secret society La Justicia, where he pledges "To seek justice, nourish the hungry, clothe the naked, protect widows and orphans, give shelter to the stranger, and never spill innocent blood." During this time, Zorro falls hopelessly in love with Juliana de Romeu, becomes best friends with her sister Isabel, has a duel with Rafael Moncada, and organizes several rescue missions in the midst of political upheaval. Eventually, together with Juliana and Isabel, he's forced to leave Barcelona in disguise. They walk across Spain, live with Gypsies and are captured by pirates. To Diego's chagrin, Juliana succumbs to pirate Jean Latiffee's charms. Eventually Diego and Isabel make it back to California, where Diego's father has been imprisoned on charges of treason. As if this isn't enough, his mortal enemy Rafael Moncada has followed him here seeking revenge.

There's no doubt Allende is a gifted, consummate teller of tales. Under her pen, Alta California and Napoleonic Spain come alive in their most vivid, historical detail. From the modest adobe houses and exotic war paint on Indian faces to the filthy, excrement-filled dungeons and the black eyes of Gypsies to the sparkling diamonds against the plump, white décolleté of Spanish belles, Allende offers us a vibrant saga dripping with adventure, romance, history, politics and a touch of magic.

It's a pity, though, that Allende spends a large part of the book in the trivial, Barbara Cartland-style romance between Juliana and Jean Latiffe, while Zorro assumes a secondary, nearly silent role, to the point where one has to wonder whose story is being told.

Like many other Latin American writers, Gabriel Garcia Marquez among them, Allende uses the omniscient point of view and her paragraphs are long and almost entirely devoid of dialogue. This evokes a magical quality, the sensation of sitting in front of a bonfire while listening to an old and wise storyteller, but at the same time causes a lack in dramatization. One can't help thinking that Allende has so many stories to tell that if she added dialogue, the book would easily turned into a one-thousand page manuscript. Of course, the lack in dialogue, and so much "telling" rather than "showing" pertains to style and not to a lack of literary skill. Another interesting aspect of Allende's writing is the power she gives to most of her female characters. Damsels in distress? Not in this novel! The women here are wilful, intelligent individuals to be reckoned with. Allende also keeps the identity of the narrator a mystery until the last chapter.

Though Allende ultimately fails in lifting Zorro from his place as a two-dimensional, comical character, her remarkable prose and action-packed story make this book a pleasure to read.

for more information click here

Entertaining, a light read for fans

Clearly this is a book written by a zorro fan for all of us who grew drawing Zs and playing whips with our belts. It is very readable and weaves the story of Zorro and his nemesis in a very subtle way... pretty much like the creators of Smallville managed to do with the superman legend.

It does have some flaws, the biggest of which is that the alter ego of Zorro, Diego de la Vega, camouflages the hero behind a semblance of weakness which was very credible for all of us reading the comic or watching the TV show. Even his father was aghast at the dandy demeanor of Diego. This camouflage is nowhere to be found in the book. Diego and Zorro flow seamlessly into each other and even though the characters match, one ends up with the feeling that the author portrays the Zorro of the last two movies more than she does the black and white hero of the silver screen.

for more information click here

Surprising Fresh and Fun Retelling Of A Classic

Having found Allende's most recent works of fiction to be lifeless, I purchased Zorro with more than a little trepidation. But, to my pleasant surprise, Zorro proved that Allende still has good fiction to share with her readers.

Two qualities made this book stand out from her other recent fiction offerings. First, Allende made a smart choice by focusing the story on Zorro's origin. By writing about these early adventures, Allende was able to take the reader into new territory with a character whose potential for original tales was seemingly exhausted. Second, she had fun with the character by finding that emotional connection she needs to write effectively. That fun was easily conveyed onto the page, thereby providing the reader with an entertaining, emotional story.

There is still room for improvement in this book. It gets more than a bit monotonous when every female character is portrayed as a strong, noble creature whose talents are unappreciated by insensitive males. And, the portrayal of Native Americans seemed a little too politically correct. But, these shortcomings don't overcome the book's energetic narrative and strong pacing. By providing a fresh, enjoyable take on a classic character, Zorro is the best fiction that Allende has written in several years.

for more information click here

Allende strikes again!

Another winner that was surprisingly gripping. My scientist husband grabbed it on the plane when he couldn't find his technical journal and didn't put it down until he finished. I was shocked!

Interesting but exhausting

My wife and I were heading off on a four day drive east to Canada and bought this for entertainment. The narrator was solid and made it exciting and interesting. The story was from the beginning and passed through thirteen, yes thirteen CD's. Took us out and most of the way back to get through it. It was interesting and kept you hanging in there but it is long. The disappointment for me is that the first twelve CD's are Zorro's background and upbringing so if you're looking for action in the beginning or throughout it isnt happening. Then it kind of just ends. Then for us, believe it or not, we got to CD 13 and the last 5 tracks were blank and wouldnt play, no ending. To Border's credit, I stopped by a store while travleing with no receipt and they did exchange it for us, then we were disappointed in the ending ... but it did pass the time.

for more information click here

reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, page 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

hot

not?

What's your opinion?

Write a review and share your thoughts!

recommendations

Reading List 2006

search for books
a novel novel, novel, zorro

Impressum / about us