"A Classic" often translates to "an unbearably boring, or depressing instrument of written torture." We put "great works of literature" on the required reading lists of our young minds and willfully assume their eyes will be opened, minds enlarged, blah,blah,blah.. by Crime and Punishment? I, too, suffered through years of grade school summer reading lists. Turned me right off of "Classics". But, in my unforced maturity and ungoverned library wandering, I occasionally attempt a "Classic" with undetermined air.
Thus, the choice of The Scarlet Pimpernel. Now, having poured through the book pulled chapter by chapter, I wonder how on earth it ever made it to the "Classic" designation! It is a really fun book! A swashbuckling romance. Sure, it was written in 1902 by a Hungarian Baroness, so has pedigree. But, this is a Classic worth reading. I highly recommend it for your advanced young reader. Not basic prose, it will increase vocabulary but I believe, keep the reader engaged nonetheless. Perfect romance for the tween or teen. This is romance without sex, love with sacrifice, and it all comes out well for the good guys! Loved it.
Reminiscent of The Three Musketeers by Dumas, it's what a Classic can be.
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