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The Prisoner of Zenda
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Read The Prisoner of Zenda
Ruritania Trilogy: Book 1

The Prisoner of Zenda (1894) (edit title/settings)

by Anthony Hope (Author) (edit contributors)

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Description edit see section history

Because of a not-too-secret dalliance between his great-grandmother and the then King, Englishman Rudolf Rassendyll bears an striking resemblance to the king of Ruritania. Curious about his heritage, he vacations in Ruritania to see his double's coronation -- and he meets and befriends the... read more

Summary edit see section history

The narrator is Rudolf Rassendyll, twenty-nine year old younger brother of the Earl of Burlesdon and a distant cousin and look-alike of Rudolf V, the soon-to-be-crowned King of Ruritania, a 'highly interesting and important' Germanic kingdom somewhere imprecisely between the German and... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

The narrator is Rudolf Rassendyll, twenty-nine year old younger brother of the Earl of Burlesdon and a distant cousin and look-alike of Rudolf V, the soon-to-be-crowned King of Ruritania, a 'highly interesting and important' Germanic kingdom somewhere imprecisely between the German and Austrian Empires. The reason for this was because a great-great grandfather of both Rudolfs -- also named Rudolf -- had an affair with an English noblewoman. He acknowledged the son that resulted from this union and provided for them.

Ruritania is, like Germany and Austria-Hungary at that time, a monarchy. The red-headed Rudolf Elphberg, the crown prince, is a hard-drinking playboy, unpopular with the common people, but supported by the aristocracy, the Catholic Church, the army, and the upper classes in general. The political rival to this absolute monarch is his younger half-brother Michael, the dark-haired Duke and Governor of Strelsau, the capital. Black Michael has no legitimate claim to the throne, because he is the son of their father's second, morganatic marriage -- in other words his mother was not of royal blood, and the next in line of succession is the beautiful and popular Princess Flavia. Michael is regarded as champion of Strelsau's working classes, both the proletariat and the peasants, and of what Hope refers to as the criminal classes. The novel seems sympathetic, however, with those who would support the dissolute monarch, King Rudolf.

When Michael has King Rudolf drugged, Rassendyll must impersonate the King at the coronation, and then when the King is abducted and imprisoned in his castle in the small town of Zenda, until he can be rescued. There are complications, plots, and counter-plots, among them the schemes of Michael's mistress Antoinette de Mauban, and those of his dashing but villainous henchman Rupert of Hentzau, and Rassendyll falling in love with Princess Flavia, the King's betrothed. In the end, the King is restored to his throne — but the lovers, in duty bound, must part forever.

Characters/People edit see section history

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Quotes edit see section history

  • “I know my clothes are a little conservative, but we English always dress as if we're going to a funeral when we're on a holiday.”
  • “I love you more than truth or life or honour!”
  • “I haven't lived like a king, but perhaps I can die like one. I will not disgrace the crown I never wore.”
  • “I'm glad you stopped lying to me. I hate being lied to by women. They never did before. I always lied to them.”

First Sentence edit see section history

"I wonder when in the world you're going to do anything, Rudolf?" said my brother's wife.

Table of Contents edit see section history

1. The Rassendylls—with a Word on the Elphbergs
2. Concerning the Color of Men's Hair
3. A Merry Evening with a Distant Relative
4. The King Keeps His Appointment
5. The Adventures of an Understudy
6. The Secret of a Cellar
7. His Majesty Sleeps in Strelsau
8. A Fair Cousin and a Dark Brother
9. A New Use for a Tea Table
10. A Chance for a Villain
11. Hunting a Very Big Boar
12. I Receive a Visitor and Bait a Hook
13. An Improvement on Jacob's Ladder
14. A Night Outside the Castle
15. I Talk with a Tempter
16. A Desperate Plan
17. Young Rupert's Midnight Diversions
18. The Forcing of the Trap
19. Face to Face in the Forest
20. The Prisoner and the King
21. If Love Were All!
22. Present, Past—and Future?

Series & Lists edit see section history

This is book 1 of 3 in Ruritania Trilogy. (standard series)

Preceded by The Heart of Princess Osra, and followed by Rupert of Hentzau.

This book is in Guardian 1000 Novels Everyone Must Read. (authoritative list)
This is book 755 of 986 in 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up. (authoritative list)

Preceded by Seven Little Australians, and followed by The Treasure of Silver Lake.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Anthony Hope (Author)

Other Contributors:

  1. Uta Saar (Translator)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Add the publisher.
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 1894
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: 400

Classification edit see section history

Links to Supplemental Material edit see section history

Books with Additional Background Information edit see section history

   
  • The Heart of Princess Osra

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