Zorro: A Novel (P.S.) by Isabel Allende Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Zorro: A Novel (P.S.)
Book Review: Enjoyable, but lacking in sword fights - 3.5
Summary: 4 Stars
It is almost inaccurate to describe "Zorro" as the tale of, yes, Zorro. This novel, aiming to be a retelling of a fun, exciting adventure tale, doesn't quite achieve that status and instead heads into another section of legend retellings - other stories. Allende, in a well-written chunky book tells the story of making of Zorro, rather than his subsequent adventures and galavanting. This leads to a different sort of read than what one might expect of such a boldly titled book.
"Zorro" is the story of Diego de la Vega. The book sets itself up as though Diego's childhood will only be a short section, but soon, pages are flying by and Diego is still a little boy, running around and attempting to make mischief. It is not particularly frustrating, though it is at first bizarre. It takes a good 200+ pages to realize that child-Diego is not going anywhere and this is the pace of the story. From that point on, the reading becomes easier and more exciting - now I found myself awaiting Diego's emergence as Zorro more and more, and the fight scenes that should emerge.
On that front, I leave "Zorro" slightly disappointed. There's no doubt that Allende's book is a fun read and though it does not have quite enough energy to keep the blood pumping, it does keep a reader fairly hooked to the general story. The story is not meant to be mysterious but rather intriguing, exciting, and in a sense it is. For certain readers. Diego's frequent lamentations about his love get slightly tedious at times but it's on the whole enjoyable and in good fun.
As nice as it is to read a well-written, fun story about "Zorro", some facts are hard to overlook. Take, for instance, the occasionally stiff dialogue. There's accounting for the time period and then there's awkwardness. For the most part, everything is good... but the occasional sticky phrase emerges. And then the adventure issue. I have no problems with the fact that "Zorro" centers on Diego's early life and coming-to as Zorro, but it feels strange to have such a story with so little sword fighting and intense bad-a[...]ness. Characters are endearing but left at a distance, for the most part, another slightly frustrating aspect that is resolved only in the case of a few select characters.
Ultimately, I cannot pretend that I didn't enjoy reading "Zorro". It's a fun book, not particularly heavy and enjoyable on many levels. It has a few issues with the lack of energizing action, but once the reader accepts that this is simply an introduction to the legend and not a book on the legends themselves, these problems are easier to swallow. A pleasant read, not much beyond that. 3.5 stars.
Book Review: Fun, enjoyable read
Summary: 5 Stars
I enjoy Isabel Allende and Zorro was wonderful. If you've seen the newer version of Zorro, this book is even more fun to read as it goes into the history of the character. I especially liked how she wrote it from the point of view of another character (I won't tell who), who puts in her own thoughts here and there. It was clever, funny, action-packed, and an overall enjoyable read.Book Review: My new favorite book!
Summary: 5 Stars
This book was amazing! Allende has a true gift for story telling as she keeps you interested even though there isn't very much suspence. This book is about zorro's childhood, and is not like the movie at all. The wrting is as if the author were sitting across from you and is smooth and seemless.Book Review: No Wonder - It's Based On A Disney Series
Summary: 1 Stars
I had read "Daughter of Fortune" previously, and while I didn't think it was among the greatest novels ever written it certainly wasn't terrible. I picked up "Zorro" looking for light summer reading with some adventure and a little romance. This book simply failed on so many levels, and that is so very unfortunate.
Where to begin? First, it is a pet peeve of mine when an alleged writer cannot use proper grammar while writing. It just bugs like nothing else. Now, granted, I realize that Ms. Allende writes in Spanish because that is her first language. (and not because her intended audience is another country - she lives in the U.S.) And I do not read Spanish all that well, so I am not sure if the errors are from the Spanish or if her translator is simply that bad. However, I would think Ms. Allende would take enough pride in her work to make sure the translation was properly translated. Or at least her editor would do so.
In an action novel one would expect, well, action - yes? There is very little of that here. Mostly the reader is subjected to page after page of "and then this happened and then this happened." To make action appear to happen, fresh and alive, an author should include dialogue - lots of dialogue. The charactors should be talking to each other. Ms. Allende simply doesn't do this. It is simply....narrative. Page after unending page of narrative. Dull.
And for the few swashbuckling scenes Ms. Allende does include for the reader, they read as a fencing lesson. Yes, so we are impressed she took fencing lessons - Brava, Ms. Allende! But that's not how to write a scene! The men faced each other, swords drawn already brings forth an image. One does not have to include, "...knees bent, right arms at a ninety degree angle to their body, other arm high in the air." Yeah, we already had the picture in mind, thank you! Instead of describing the scene, why not include some dialogue between the charactors to make it seem real? Dull.
Another tiresome aspect in this novel was the lack of historical accuracy. Now, I understand that in romance/adventure summer reads reality can sometimes be suspended a bit. But, really, pirates invading the coast of California to attack Pueblo de los Angeles? That is more than a stretch. And I really think Ms. Allende needs to re-study her take on New Orleans society - it was dismal. Creoles are NOT "free people of color." Not exclusively, as she portends.
I realize that Zorro is all about justice and fighting for the underdog. Hey, that's why everyone loves the guy! But, truthfully, the sterotypes in this book just get old so quick. European white = always evil. Indians = always good. Gypies = always good, got the bad rap. Oh please, let's have an author that isn't afraid to mix it up a bit and take a risk once in a while!
All in all, this book is frustrating, though it will find a base of supporters. If you were raised on the Disney version of Zorro from which the inspiration for this work evolved (I can't speak to that, as it was before my time), and you can tolerate bad writing then you will probably get something out of this. If your standards are higher, you will be disappointed.
Book Review: Oh please...
Summary: 1 Stars
If you are a Zorro fan for as long as I have been, you probably bought this book looking for fun, light reading of swashbuckling adventure and the colorful characters we all know and love. If that's the case, you really won't like it. I mean... Senora De la Vega was a Spanish noblewoman, and we all know it - not a native Anerican or a lady of mixed birth. To think of Diego and Bernardo as brothers is almost laughable, and even annoying. Diego is so unappealing that he makes me sick. Why does everyone want to try and fix what ain't been broke? Forget this.