The Laughing Cavalier; Ancestor of the Scarlet Pimpernel


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(4.4 stars; 237 reviews)

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


(5 stars)

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


(5 stars)

Great story - well read. Thank you for your precious time and efforts, all readers. Ignore all the noise - you guys did great!


(1 stars)

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


(5 stars)

Great story! good readers

Wonderful story!!


(5 stars)

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


(4.5 stars)

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


(5 stars)

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


(4 stars)

Several different readers who all read very differently and I am grateful to them all for making this recording available. Thank you!