The Prisoner of Zenda (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels)

This is a book to be read if you like the fun of Victorian/Edwardian adventures such as King Solomon's Mines, Captain Blood, Scaramouche etc. Sword play. Horses ridden through the night; Castles, moats, pistols palace intrigue and impersonations. It has it all. I now understand better one of the funniest parts of The Great Race and the biggest pie fight ever filmed.

I love the Prisoner of Zenda. Written over 120 years ago, Zenda describes a world not yet polluted by the horrors of two world wars, one in which honor, fidelity and duty hold sway side by side with ruthless ambition and dashing villains.The story of a distant relative of the soon-to-be crowned King of Ruritania, who finds himself drafted into impersonating the King after the King is kidnapped by his ambitious brother, the plot of Zenda only deepens and becomes seemingly more hopeless as the story develops. The temptation of the impersonator to allow the King to be murdered by his treacherous brother "Black Michael," and his struggles against this temptation gives additional depth to the novel.A "romance" in a number of senses of that word, The Prisoner of Zenda will waft you away to a simpler, clearer time and entertain you with the adventures you will find there.

One of my all time favorite books. I've bought this book for so many people. Great action/adventure/romance. Can't go wrong with this one. It is not very long, so it is perfect to take on a plane or bus ride. Have fun!

Gripping from beginning to end. Clean, suspenseful, believable and swashbuckling romance all in one book.

Entertaining timeless classic, doesn't get the respect it deservesEasy read as well, makes me want to read the sequel.

What a joy! A rollicking adventure novel and a unique voice. This was a joy to read, and I recommend this to readers ages 8-88.

I can't believe I'm reviewing one of the all-time classic adventure stories.

This swashbuckling adventure tale that launched a sub-genre (the Ruritanian Romance) is good cheesy fun. An English gentleman visiting the small Balkan nation of Ruritania has to step up and pretend to be the king (who conveniently looks just like him thanks to some scandalous shared ancestry) in order to keep the throne from Black Michael, the king’s scheming half-brother who has him secretly imprisoned in the Castle of Zenda. To quote The Princess Bride, it has “Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love…” Well, maybe no giants or monsters, but you get the idea. It’s good hokey fun that explores the idea of nobility (and even has some surprisingly moving moments).

I have read this book over and over again...ever since I first read it as a teenager. It still holds the same appeal of romance, honour and love.Great read!!The descriptions are so vivid and I love the first person narrative.

One of the most beautiful novel in history. I enjoyed reading it!