Diego is invited to a masked ball celebrating Esteban's elevation. He also receives his inheritance: Zorro's black cape, hat, and sword, along with a letter from his late father revealing that he was Zorro. That legacy now falls to Diego. He decides the masked ball is the perfect place to announce Zorro's return. On his way there, Zorro witnesses a peasant being extorted. He confronts and defeats Esteban's tax collector, then instructs the peon to spread the word that El Zorro has returned. Diego, in Zorro costume, dances with Florinda at the ball.
Velasquez, the tax collector, reports the theft to Esteban, pointing to Diego as Zorro. A duel ensues with Esteban, and Zorro escapes by again jumping from a high wall, but this time injuring his foot and hobbling away. Later that night, a drunk Florinda attempts to seduce Diego at his hacienda , but Esteban arrives to speak about the evening's events. He suspects that Diego might be Zorro, but Diego convinces him that his foot is uninjured.
A reign of terror begins, including torture and increased taxation. Diego is frustrated because, being injured, he cannot fight Esteban's tyranny. Diego brings him up to date, and Bunny assumes the guise of Zorro, using a whip instead of a sword, while wearing flamboyant Zorro attire in a variety of coordinated colors. The colorful Zorro always eludes capture. Esteban hatches a plan to lure Zorro to the alcalde's residence with another ball to show off Florinda's expensive new necklace.
Seeing through the plan, Diego arrives dressed as Zorro. So do the rest of the Dons and male party guests, saying that a message from Esteban instructed them all to dress that way. Adding to the confusion, Bunny appears in drag , masquerading as "Margarita" Wigglesworth, Diego's cousin from Santa Barbara.
Esteban is smitten upon meeting her. Bunny spills a drink on Florinda, and in the resulting chaos attempts to clean her dress, making off with the necklace. At the plaza, Diego as Zorro and Charlotte meet again, falling into each other's arms, but they are observed and Esteban is informed. As a ruse to lure Zorro, he has Charlotte arrested, and she is sentenced to be executed.
Don Diego as Zorro surrenders to Esteban to save her, and he is sentenced to death. Seconds before the firing squad opens fire, Bunny, this time wearing a bright metallic gold costume, announces the return of Zorro. With Charlotte's and Diego's aid, Zorro incites the assembled peasants to rebellion. Esteban's guards also rebel, joined by Florinda, and Esteban stands alone, defeated.
Later, Bunny finally rides off to catch his ship back to England, waving goodbye, after which Diego and Charlotte ride off to plan their wedding. As her wedding gift, Charlotte suggests that Diego donate all his family lands to the people so they can settle down and raise a family in Boston. Again, this is likely due to my being tainted by the high action of recent film productions. This is a well crafted story that brings together latin american romance with the fun adventure of an unknown hero standing up for the rights of the poor and oppressed. The character development was interesting but fell into stereotypes at times…again, this could be partly due to film and tv reproductions.
These characters were likely not as stereotypical in the early s and in fact I suspect that this book helped form some of the stereotypes we now enjoy in our media today. Generally I'm glad I read it. I was surprised at the end of the book to see Zorro essentially hang up his cape, hat and mask and state that he would no longer be riding as Zorro. It appears this was intended to be a single book adventure with no long term plans for the hero.
The popularity apparently led to additional novels by the same author as well as some additional stories by other authors.
Get A Copy
I'm curious to see if the continuing stories have more adventure or intrigue. Eventually I may find out. Apr 18, Calis Johnson rated it it was amazing Shelves: And the film maizoro mainstream for the first time since the 50s. Never once did I know that the masked horseman originated from a pulp magazine.
While the book follows a bunch of tropes of that time period Gallant gentleman Damsel in Distress corrupt Authority officials ect. Its a pretty simple story, and there's nothing wrong with that. Some "Out of the night when the moon is bright comes the horsemen known as Zorro" As a kid I loved Zorro watching it past my bedtime one the Disney Channel.
Sometimes simple is better especially when it comes to older books. Not everyone is going to like the simplicity of this book, but if you are a fan of Zorro I at least recommend this book to be checked out at least once. The Kindle edition was not so great. It wasn't the worst Kindle story I've read, but there were enough issues to throw me off once in a while. A goodreads friend rated this as fun and entertaining and I needed that after finishing a true crime book. So I picked it up and was not disappointed. View all 3 comments. Jun 16, Olivia rated it liked it.
Don Diego sticks with his character better than in the TV show and Garcia is hysterical, but I still didn't really enjoy the book as much as the show. The story mainly surrounds the romance of Zorro and a certain Senorita. I think there were a few swear words as well. View all 30 comments. I am frustrated because I do not know enough yet to decide whether this is a great or terrible book. The author is either a genius or an imbecile and the story is either a cultural prototype or painfully derivative.
I just don't know.
Navigation menu
Is the stilted language an insightful imitation of a badly translated story or merely bad? Is the plot stunningly original or numbingly repetitive? Are the characters the brilliant progenitors of stereotypes or only shadowy successors? Bob Kane admits the Zorro inf I am frustrated because I do not know enough yet to decide whether this is a great or terrible book. How much comes from earlier sources it feels like Robin Hood to me This is why I read, because each new book is not only enjoyable in and of itself but adds layers of context and history that allow me to reevaluate what I already have read, while simultaneously suggesting avenues of exploration I have never considered before.
Meal mush and goat's milk! That's it, I'm off to watch the movie. Zorro was a champion, always brilliant and maybe almost too perfect but so easy to root for. This was a lively, adventurous, surprisingly romantic tale, and overall, very simplistic in its telling. I'd highly recommend this one in any case, but especially if you're trying to get into the classics. This would be a great start! It is so much to read this book aloud. And I'm not in the habit of doing that. This ridiculous nonsense is one of my truest and greatest delights.
Everyone is so wildly over the top all the time, Zorro most of all. The extent to which Zorro comes into a room and then leaves, then Don Diego comes into a room and then leaves, and then Zorro comes into a room and then leaves, etc. Diego de la Vega must be counted among the greatest and most embarrassing dramatic morons of any age. May 23, Dhuaine rated it liked it Shelves: I have been a fan of Zorro since I was Anyway, in my teen days 16?
- Passivity Is Not Masculine (XY Soul Food Series Book 1)!
- Desires of the Heart.
- Zorro Rides Again Vol. 1: Masked Avenger TPB | CBR;
- Lelfe de lune 10 - Linvasion des hommes-rats (French Edition).
- Acting Out.
- www.cbr.com!
- Zorro, The Gay Blade;
I found The Curse of Capistrano in district library. It looked a bit suspicious to my eyes - thin and with illustrations inside - but I carried it home anyway and merrily gobbled down in two or three hours.
- The Mark of Zorro by Johnston McCulley.
- FFM: An Abridged Guide to Homophobia;
- More than hair: How I beat baldness - cause & cure.
I was sorely disappointed. The plot was thin, full of unbelievable and unrealistic twists; the characters were either black or white. Basically, everything in it screamed either 'young adult', I have been a fan of Zorro since I was Basically, everything in it screamed either 'young adult', or 'silly adventure for casual pulp readers'. Thus, I was led to believe that I stumbled across abridged version for kids and left it as that.
Imagine my excitement when I found this free eBook on GoodReads! I downloaded it at once and started reading, anxious to get to know what the original looked like Well, I had read the original. LOL Everything I stated above is still true. This book has almost no value for anyone looking for serious, realistic, complex story and fleshed out characters. However, once I realized what it was, I have to say I enjoyed it - as a comedy and a very light read.
It's not written in the way that makes you cover your face in shame, but its silliness is actually It's a nice read once you know what to not expect. Though I still miss some realistic approach to Zorro story It seems that Allende's version is the only one, and I didn't like it. Sep 26, Leah Good rated it liked it Shelves: While the government has grown more and more oppressive a hero has been training himself to right wrongs. Now Zorro rides the countryside, stealing from soldiers what they have stolen from the people and punishing those who have dealt unjust punishment.
It is this man who captures Lolita Pulido. At the same time the rich but languid Don Diego Vega has also asked for her hand. Can Zorro bring justice to the southland without loosing his life or that of the girl he loves? This tale is told in the classic manner of the period it was written during. The plot line is predictable, but fun just the same. I LOVE this story! Take The Scarlet Pimpernel and add healthy heaping of Spanish flavor and voila! The Mark of Zorro.
I can see myself listening to this again in a few years. Even though it was predictable, it was fun and entertaining. More reviews on My Blog. View all 9 comments. Sep 18, Donna rated it liked it. This was just okay for me. This book just rubbed me the wrong way. I found the character of Zorro annoying. He came across as a guys perfect fantasy. I did like some of the action scenes and I did enjoy some of the humor Jan 26, NebulousGloom FK rated it really liked it.
I finally read one of the early Zorro books. Generally, those old adventure classics are pretty great The Prisoner of Zenda is fantastic, as is Captain Blood. Anyway, The Mark of Zorro was great! While it was one of those books where the hero never even gets wounded, still it was a fun romp. I definitely recommend it to classic adventure fans. Oct 03, Julia DeBarrioz rated it liked it Shelves: I've been a Zorro fangirl since I was a child, thank you Antonio Banderas , yet somehow I never realized it all started with an actual book.
I thought it began with comics and then an old Disney series. This was great fun, if not somewhat problematic against modern standards. The swashbuckling was exciting, and Zorro is certainly a dashing character, and the banter is excellent, though there's a lot of points that had me rolling my eyes pretty hard. But eh, this is pulp fiction written in , I've been a Zorro fangirl since I was a child, thank you Antonio Banderas , yet somehow I never realized it all started with an actual book.
But eh, this is pulp fiction written in , so what did I really expect. The persecution of the Franciscans is the main point of contention in this tale, which is utterly laughable if you know the heinous shiite those boys got up to in the name of Conversion and Colonization.
The Mark of Zorro
Also, Zorro is fighting against the mistreatment of the natives, and I guess he does to a point, though the woman he loves spouts some pretty cringeworthy racist declarations throughout the book. There was so much opportunity for psychological examination on both sides, but again this is pulp fiction written by a man in , so what was I expecting? I first encountered Zorro as a character in an old movie my parents liked. Since then, I've sought out the stories when I could. When I discovered a number of them as radio plays through Audible , I had to pick them up.
This is the book that introduced the character of Zorro in , originally titled, "The Curse of Capistrano. As is the character's thirst for I first encountered Zorro as a character in an old movie my parents liked.
Zorro ★★½ El Zorro la belva del Colorado; El Zorro 1974 (G)
As is the character's thirst for fairness and justice, and the corrupt government he inevitably has to fight against. The Mark of Zorro covers a period of time during which Zorro has been an established force in California, well-known but mistrusted. His evasion of capture is more due to his cunning and the ineptitude of the local law enforcement than because anyone would shelter him. The story is fairly simple: He would like to stay free, and to keep his friends out of it, which is easier said than done. Meanwhile, his alter ego, Diego de la Vega, is attempting to court Lolita Pulido, who falls in love with Zorro.
The story is very much a product of its time.
A married woman rhapsodizes about the rewarding life of a housewife, and a father encourages a suitor to pester his daughter who's uninterested, because women are fickle and change their minds a lot. It is to the character's credit that he trusts the woman to know her mind, and graciously accepts her refusal. The story is an adventure, and it's about guy things, so women are relegated to wives and daughters and damsels, though Lolita gets to show off some skill with riding and swordfighting.
The performance I listened to has the story narrated by the tavern barkeep, which saves the characters the awkward task of narrating their actions for the listeners' benefit. However, it has the drawback that the barkeep doesn't know everything, and so, if I hadn't known Zorro's secret identity from the lore, I'd be puzzled, and maybe a little frustrated. He intersperses several Spanish words into his dialogue, and his pronunciation is cringe-worthy, even for non-Spanish-speaking me.
Highlights of the cast include Armin Shimmerman as the barkeep and Ruth Livier as the spirited Lolita. Most of the rest of the cast did a good job with their narration, and they all sounded different enough that I didn't have difficulty keeping track of who was speaking. Jun 15, Chris rated it liked it Shelves: I wanted to like it better than I did.
I read rather like a first draft - not horribly written, but lacking polish, and the fight scenes were strangely dull. As you'd expect for a work of its time, it suffers from some sexism and racism, and weird in a story where the hero defends the downtrodden classism. But what killed it for me was the character of Zorro.
I get that it's supposed to be somewhat humorous and all, but Zorro was too It's not that he's a skilled horseman an I wanted to like it better than I did. It's not that he's a skilled horseman and sword fighter and all, it's that he's so skilled and so confident that it sucks any tension out of the story. I realize in a pulp adventure, there's no chance of the hero losing , but there should still be some sense that things might not all go his way.
Maybe that's another "product of the times" problem and the idea that heroes should struggle a little and have at least some minor setbacks is a newer idea. But then I think of The Scarlet Pimpernel or the Sherlock Holmes stories and think that either it's a specific to pulps thing or a specific to this author thing.
That said, I can see why its a much adapted story. The basic idea is great. Oh, sure, it's basically a mashup of Robin Hood and The Scarlet Pimpernel, but that doesn't mean it's not a good idea. I just like my heroes to have to put in a little more effort and not be so clearly a million times better than the villains. Often referred to as a footnote in the many presentations of the Zorro franchise, The Curse of Capistrano is for all intent and purposes, just that, a sketch.
Far from the elaborate exploits of the larger than life vigilante, both intimidating yet righteous, and fighting strategically with two personas, here, he is thinly painted a nuisance and a pest. So unlike the hero portrayed in films over the decades; battling for social justice, the tale of "Senor Zorro" is merely a collections of awkward Often referred to as a footnote in the many presentations of the Zorro franchise, The Curse of Capistrano is for all intent and purposes, just that, a sketch. So unlike the hero portrayed in films over the decades; battling for social justice, the tale of "Senor Zorro" is merely a collections of awkward incidents and lacks any tangible storyline, save an insipid romantic tarrying with a local maiden, and the mischievous swordplay and toying with incompetent soldiers.
The real epiphany in reading this tale is the realization of how marvelous was the writing and the subsequent screenplay for the film version, its later remakes, and the children's television series that followed. How this character was so enhanced, his iconic image immortalized, and the swashbuckling exploits that would next be told, makes this story only a tame forerunner for the later first class adventures that would follow. Read The Curse of Capistrano with that context in mind. Fans of caped crusaders. An excellent page-turner of an adventure story, though the audio version alters a few things from the original version of The Curse of Capistrano.
Audio listeners thus miss out on Zorro's reveal, which entirely changes the end of the story. It's a shame, really, because this is otherwise a gloriously f An excellent page-turner of an adventure story, though the audio version alters a few things from the original version of The Curse of Capistrano. It's a shame, really, because this is otherwise a gloriously fun recording.
Jan 26, Timothy Boyd rated it liked it. Not the Zorro you know from TV And movies. Jul 07, Tom Stamper rated it really liked it. The gist of the tale is that Zorro is a bandit that keeps disrupting the corrupt politicians of 19th century Spanish led California. The authorities are too inept to find him which leads to humor early in the story and later suspense.
Dynamite® Zorro Tpbs
Prideful patricians, comedic soldiers, and a beautiful maiden are there to entertain and thrill us. And despite the fact that the story is derivative of Robin Hood, and I have seen enough Zorro movies to know the central mystery, I enjoyed it the whole way through. McCulley didn't know what a hit he had because the story ends in such a way that a sequel would be difficult and yet he somehow produced more than one after the success of this.
Aug 26, Rachel rated it it was amazing. The humor and wit. A woman who isn't afraid to speak her mind. I can see where the inspiration from "The Scarlet Pimpernel" came from but it didn't feel like a rehash to me. Overall, I just loved listening to this. A book of multiple personalities and one Lolita no, not that Lolita. A fun, light read.
View all 4 comments. Immense fun, highly recommended for those craving a good pulp fiction read! Also recommended for fans of Batman, of course. Page count correction 2 12 Jan 15, Johnston McCulley February 2, — November 23, was the author of hundreds of stories, fifty novels, numerous screenplays for film and television, and the creator of the character Zorro. An amateur history buff, he went on to a career in pulp magazines and screenplays, often using a Southern California backdrop for his stories.
Other books in the series. Books by Johnston McCulley. Trivia About The Mark of Zorro. Quotes from The Mark of Zorro. As well as these local California legendary figures, Zorro is an American version of Robin Hood and similar heroes whose stories blend fiction and history, thus moving Zorro into the timeless realm of legend. The original story takes place in the Romantic era, but, more important, Zorro as Diego adds an element of poetry and sensuality, and as Zorro the element of sexuality, to the traditional Western hero. Not all Western heroes are, as D.
Lawrence said of Cooper's Deerslayer, "hard, isolate, stoic, and a killer," but in the Western genre the hero and villain more often than not share these characteristics. What distinguishes Zorro is a gallantry, a code of ethics, a romantic sensibility, and most significant, a command of language and a keen intelligence and wit. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Why is it so difficult to find original Zorro stories aside from this?