The Laughing Cavalier; Ancestor of the Scarlet Pimpernel
Baroness Emma Orczy
Read by LibriVox Volunteers
The enigmatic smile of The Laughing Cavalier of Franz Hals' famous painting invites you to wonder just what mischievousness hides behind that face. In this novel, inspired by the painting, Baroness Orczy recounts the adventures of an ancestor of her famous character, the Scarlet Pimpernel. Set in Holland during the turbulent times of 1623/1624, this is the story of a swashbuckling romanticist, whose desire for wealth and success always seems to be eclipsed by his sense of what is right and gentlemanly. The same combination of savoir-faire, insouciance, deep feeling, and humor that make the Scarlet Pimpernel such an intriguing character are already present in the DNA of the Blakeney family more than 150 years before the French Revolution. Enjoy this delightful romp through the "pages" of an historical fiction that will have you laughing right along with The Laughing Cavalier. - Summary by Arlene Joyce
Series:
1: The Scarlet Pimpernel
2: I Will Repay
2.5: The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel
3: The Elusive Pimpernel
4: El Dorado: Further Adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel
5: Lord Tony's Wife
6: The Triumph of the Scarlet Pimpernel
7: Sir Percy Hits Back
Prequel: The Laughing Cavalier
(13 hr 39 min)
Chapters
An Apology and the Prologue | 33:31 | Read by Beth Thomas (1974-2020) |
New Year's Eve | 14:46 | Read by Deon Gines |
The Fracas by the Postern Gate | 21:36 | Read by Deon Gines |
An Interlude | 14:51 | Read by Deon Gines |
Watch-Night | 25:36 | Read by Deon Gines |
Brother and Sister | 17:00 | Read by Deon Gines |
The Councesl of Prudence | 8:49 | Read by Deon Gines |
Three Philosophers and Their Friends | 32:06 | Read by Deon Gines |
The Lodgings which were Paid for | 18:47 | Read by Deon Gines |
The Painter of Pictures | 10:08 | Read by Deon Gines |
The Laughing Cavalier | 21:43 | Read by Deon Gines |
The Bargain | 10:12 | Read by Deon Gines |
The Portrait | 17:20 | Read by Melvin Lee |
The Spanish Wench | 18:04 | Read by Deon Gines |
After Evensong | 10:39 | Read by Deon Gines |
The Halt at Bennebrock | 10:18 | Read by Melvin Lee |
Layden | 15:12 | Read by Melvin Lee |
An Understanding | 20:41 | Read by Deon Gines |
The Start | 6:07 | Read by Deon Gines |
In the Kingdom of the Night | 8:34 | Read by Melvin Lee |
Back Again in Haarlem | 11:44 | Read by Melvin Lee |
A Grief-Stricken Father | 10:22 | Read by Deon Gines |
A Double Pledge | 18:38 | Read by Deon Gines |
A Spy from the Camp | 16:42 | Read by Melvin Lee |
The Birth of Hate | 30:01 | Read by Melvin Lee |
An Arrant Knave | 17:54 | Read by Melvin Lee |
Back to Houdekerk | 16:59 | Read by Melvin Lee |
Thence to Rotterdam | 13:44 | Read by Deon Gines |
Check | 13:02 | Read by Deon Gines |
Check Again | 10:35 | Read by Melvin Lee |
A Nocturn | 36:36 | Read by Deon Gines |
The Molens | 24:11 | Read by Melvin Lee |
A Run Through the Night | 15:05 | Read by Melvin Lee |
The Captive Lion | 15:57 | Read by ToddHW |
Protestations | 17:46 | Read by ToddHW |
The Witness for the Defence | 35:26 | Read by Melvin Lee |
Brother Philosophers | 22:16 | Read by Melvin Lee |
Dawn | 13:15 | Read by Deon Gines |
The Hour | 10:06 | Read by Deon Gines |
''Sauve Qui Peut'' | 16:32 | Read by Melvin Lee |
The Loser Pays | 24:51 | Read by Deon Gines |
''Vengeance is Mine'' | 8:47 | Read by Deon Gines |
The Fight in the Doorway | 43:49 | Read by Melvin Lee |
Layden Once More | 23:36 | Read by John Burlinson (1950-2024) |
Blake of Blakeney | 9:19 | Read by Deon Gines |
The End | 5:55 | Read by Deon Gines |
Reviews
Kristopher
This book may be my new favorite of the scarlet pimpernel and related works. This book was fairly down to earth and had numerous hilarious parts. As for readers I haven't a clue why there were so many complaints, all readers were quite clear. A simple pronunciation difference between readers is a bit much to complain about after so many hours has gone into making the Baroness Orczys works closer at hand to us. I actually found the reader ToddHW to be an amusing reader, he seems to add good dramatic flair and even gives decent and differing voice to the main female characters. Since this book is endlessly funny, he does some moments good justice, bringing life to the words without too much exaggeration. It would cost me at least $200 to get my hands on these books(our library only has one of her books), thank you to all the readers who have made another of Emmuskas works available!
Great story - well read
SK
Great story - well read. Thank you for your precious time and efforts, all readers. Ignore all the noise - you guys did great!
bontastic
Agree with above reviewer. I'm having a very difficult time following this book because my attention keeps wandering from the lackluster reading. The introduction reader was better than the reader of the rest of the book. Karen Savage read "The Scarlet Pimpernel," I hope she turns her talents to this one eventually.
The Laughing Cavalier
Rai
Great story! good readers
Wonderful story!!
Jenna Gilling
The readers were not the best that I've heard, but we're still get easily understood and fairly good with emphasising where needed. The story is quite classicly Emma Orczy, lost of action, romance and a sad twist to the story as well.
The Mercenary Pimpernel
Hospitable Georgian
I thought the display of Sir Percy Blakney's relative as a mercenary rogue was a nice touch. The family goes from someone who is paid to defend and rescue to someone who defends and rescues just because he can!!
Well Worth the time
Dennie59
The readers did a very good job. I cannot agree with the nit-picking of some of the other listeners.. thanks you volunteers for your time and efforts
Anne Will
Several different readers who all read very differently and I am grateful to them all for making this recording available. Thank you!