I Will Repay

By: Baroness Emma Orczy

Narrated by: Johanna Ward

It has been 10 years since Juliette de Marny's father asked her to swear revenge upon Deroulede for the death of her brother in a duel. At last, she finds herself in Deroulede's house, with an easy opportunity to betray him to the citizens of France for conspiring against the people. But Juliette realizes, too late, that she is in love with Deroulede.

Can the Scarlet Pimpernell rescue Deroulede from certain death by guillotine? Will Deroulede forgive Juliette for her betrayal of him? Romance and intrigue abound in this delightful swashbuckler.

(P)1994 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"Johanna Ward is fun to listen to. She puts the author's rather melodramatic prose in the best possible light by reading with restraint, gravity, and authority." (AudioFile)

Delicious Classic, Worthy for an Audible

I enjoyed the audiobook much more than reading it. The enthusiasm, characters, and tones that Johanna uses, makes you feel that you are watching a movie rather than reading a book. It's a short story/continuation of the Scarlett Pimpernel series. Surprisingly, Sir Percy Blakeney is a side character in this book. The story gives us a better insight to Percy's movements, strategy, and operations when he goes undercover. The threads are delicately woven until he accomplishes the mission. This entry shows Percy has a strong understanding of human drivers, is not impetuous, he chooses his targets carefully, and how the escape plan is thoughtfully created, and how the recon work is done. Shows us what happenned in Paris through the perspective of one living in that time in history, an era where no one is safe. It's a year after the first book, and the Parisian danger for The Pimpernel is at an all time high. Even so, he guides the adventure/escape/dangerous events with intelligent wit, skill, and aplomb.

I did not like the Heroine at all. Her plight and oath seemed ridiculous. She portrays the innocence of an ingenue even though she's mid-20s Her inner monologue was trite, and her emotional lability gave me whiplash. She had very few redeeming qualities, and the Hero falling in love with her diminished his splendor in my eyes. Even when she was in trouble, I cared not, but tolerated it to get to the main Pimpernel parts of the story.

The book did have some unique and interesting side characters, appropriate pageantry and excellent storytelling. For example, the anti-heroine was unexpected, yet poingnant and strongly drove the plot forward.

Overall, I enjoyed this audiobook. Going on to the next book in series.

Never Disappointed!

I have read 3 books about that rascal, the Scarlet Pimpernel!

I always enjoy and and forever amazed!

Magnifique!

More of a romance story

Where does I Will Repay rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This audiobook ranks highly for me because I am a Scarlet Pimpernel fan and have read all the books. It is very difficult to come across very many of these books in audiobook format. So this is rare.

What was one of the most memorable moments of I Will Repay?

I liked the scene where the Sir Blakeney (AKA the Scarlet Pimpernel) meets with Anne Mie who is of the household of Paul Déroulèdes is not very beautiful and is plainly jealous of Juliet, but Blakeney treats her with respect and tells her plainly what she asks to know. It shows what a great soul Sir Blakeney is and possibly one reason he has been risking his life to save people from the guillotine.

Which scene was your favorite?

Juliet's father forces her to swear an oath before God that she will avenge her brother's death even though he died in a fair fight.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I usually listen to a little bit at a time while I am cooking, or doing things where I can play an audiobook and listen.

Any additional comments?

If you are a Scarlet Pimpernel fan, you will find this book has some of the least Pimpernel scenes of any of the books. It focuses mostly on the romance between Juliet and Paul and betrayal, then remorse and love.

If most romance books were this well written

If most romance books were this well written I would read a lot more romance books. Baroness Ortzy knows how to write about the human heart. There are well written villains and heroes of both genders. She builds tension in a way that makes sense, not contrived like I've seen in the romance books I have read. In some ways I like this book more than The Scarlet Pimpernel.

When Orczy is at her best...

she is a rival for Dumas, Shakespeare and the Greek playwrights. Here we have Electra, Hamlet, and the Count Of Monte Cristo all rolled up into a compelling little novel in the ongoing Percy Blackley/Scarlet Pimpernel series. Would love to see even more of Orzcy on Audible.

The story was Nnot as good as it should.

What did you like best about I Will Repay? What did you like least?

The story would have been much better if fleshed out, and as a standalone I hated the fact it is presented overall as a "Scarlet Pimpernel" novel. The character makes but a cameo, and Marguerite, where is Margyerite? Perhaps she is in disguise. Published about 100 years ago. Today we would call it a rip off due to it being labeled a Scarlet Pimpernel novel.

Would you be willing to try another book from Baroness Emma Orczy? Why or why not?

Have read other Orczy Scarlet Pimpernel novels and enjoyed them. Intend to read more.

What about Johanna Ward’s performance did you like?

Well done, about 20 years ago. Still the narration does add to the novel.

Did I Will Repay inspire you to do anything?

Not really.

Any additional comments?

Won't read it again, or recommend the book.

CLASSIC!!!

I'm so glad I'm able to catch up on the classics through Audible Books! Thank you!

The historical setting was magnificent.

i liked the subtle love story, the suspense and the historical setting. a thrilling story. A joy to read.

Nice and short

Pretty good story and I enjoyed the narration although somewhat predictable, especially if you are familiar with other books by Baroness Orczy.

Give us more Orczy audiobooks, please!!

Baroness Orczy’s books are over 110 years old, but they stand up today better than most classics I’ve read! I love her characters, even her heroines, who, although they aren’t like those in modern fiction (“we’ve come a long way, baby!”), they are still interesting and unique for late 18th century France! And the hero, Percy Blakeney, puts our modern American culture, which bears more similarities to the French Revolutionaries than our own American Revolutionaries, to shame!
We need more Scarlet Pimpernel audiobooks!!!