The Mark of Zorro

Yes, "The Mark of Zorro" is a light-hearted, spirited adventure romp, but this hardcover, at 25 bucks, is not a place to start. The story by McCulley, is a terrific read, from stem to stern, even when you know the ending. The physical book itself is AWFUL. There are numerous typos throughout the entire book. The letter "o" gets replaced by the number "6" a half dozen times in the last few pages alone. There's a half a page duplicated, making for some confusing reading two-thirds of the way through. The word "the" is often replaced by the the word "Die", making me wonder if there was some German transcriptionist involved somewhere along the line. Letters are capitalized in the midst of words for no meaning. It actually made reading this simple tale a chore. I loved this story, but I hated the actual book it was printed in.

Warning!!! This book is extremely addictive!!! If you do not like non-stop action, look elsewhere!!! This book was so much fun to read. Zorro, The Curse of Capistrano, is about a masked man that rides around old Southern California helping "settle the score" against the corrupt government and its army who abuse and persecute the native peasants, and innocent and hard working people of good blood. Zorro is a one man army that creates a huge thorn in the side for Sergeant Gonzales, his captain, and for the Governor. Zorro is a master with the sword; and a expert horse rider. He has nerves of steel, and his courage is never ending. The author did a great job at keeping you at the edge of your seat. The book became harder to put down as chapters go by. I orginally use to watch Zorro on TV when I was a kid and had always enjoyed it. So, after reading other reviews about this book, I knew that I had to get this!! Boy, was I in for a treat. It is a super good book, a super good story line that will keep you glued to the book to the very end. I would without a doubt, buy this book again!!!!

Many people have seen "The Mask of Zorro" starring Antonio Banderas. Even more are familiar with Guy Williams' 1957-59 portrayal of the legendary hero, or even Duncan Regehr's series in the early 1990s. But very few have, unfortunately, ever read the book that started it all, "The Mark of Zorro", originally entitled "The Curse of Capistrano" in its initial 1919 release. This is such a shame. Few Zorro stories of today -- excepting some fan fiction -- can rival the genius in Johnston McCulley's work(s). His Zorro is the ultimate adventurer. Zorro's best-kept secret is the fact that there wasn't *one* Zorro story written by Johnston McCulley -- there were sixty! A wonderful new company is currently in production of republishing every one of these classic stories. I've read some of them; they're every bit as good as "Mark". Truly "must-reads". Miss them at your own expense.

I found this book by accident, and am thankful that I read it! Its content reminds me of that of The Scarlet Pimpernel by Emmuska Orczy. Additionally, the Zorro in this book inspired the production of the familiar Zorro comics, TV show, movie, etc. McCulley grabs the reader's attention on the first page, and leaves the reader sad that the story must end. He weaves a tale of love and bravery, those characteristics being is the essence of the Zorro that so many people know and love.

EXCITEMENT HERE! Senor Zorro is the Spanish version of Robin Hood, but with a twist! No one knows that the wealthy, skitterish, and languid laughingstock of the pueblo (Don Diego Vega) is really the notorious Highwayman. Ordered by his father to marry, Diego tries to win the heart of a beautiful senorita, Lolita, but she is in love with the bandit highwayman: Zorro. Diego tries in his own dis-interested way to win her heart, although he abhors making any effort; save getting into his clothes in the morning. Deemed as the only twenty-four year old in the pueblo to yawn 200 times a day, Lolita will have none of him! Meanwhile: Senor Zorro appears and disappears like the wind, serving justice to those who oppress the weak and rob from the innocent. When he is not fighting off soldiers or leading them on a wild goose chase, Zorro sneaks his way around to whisper love to the woman of his dreams: Lolita! Can these lovers ever know what the other truely desires? Don Diego will have you cracking up as you read, and Senor Zorro will keep you on the edge of your seat. What more can someone ask from a tale of adventure and respect served with a swift blade?