Daily Times

Seldom are novels written that come up to readers’ expectations and succeed in captivating their attention. Such novels keep the person, who reads them under their spell for the rest of their life; among them The Prisoner of Zenda occupies a sui generis place.

The Prisoner of Zenda written by prolific writer Anthony Hope Hawkins in 1893 is an adventure novel. The book became highly successful and its success can be imagined from the fact that Hope felt an overwhelming compulsion to write its sequel: Rupert of Hentzau. Rupert of Hentzau is a character in the novel who is one of Michael’s six trusted friends. Hope was a barrister at that time, but after the publication these two books he was catapulted to fame; and became famous as a well-known writer. The book relates dramatic and unusual events that take place during the expedition of an English man, Rudolf Rassendyll to Ruritania- a fictional bijou state. The unique thing about the book is that, unlike other novels it prefers honour to love.

Rudolf Rassendyll – in the beginning depicted as idle and self-satisfied – goes to Ruritania for the purpose of seeing the coronation of newly ascending king, Rudolf Elphberg. When he reaches the frontier he comes to know that the coronation is to take place in two days’ time. Considering that the capital city, Strelsau would be full with visitors and all the hotels would be booked, he decides to stay at Zenda — a small town ten miles from the frontier and fifty from Strelsau. King’s half-brother, Black Michael, Duke of Strelsau owns an estate there, which includes the great castle of Zenda. His arrival at Zenda coincides with King’s stay at the nearby shooting-lodge of Michael there. On his first day in the town, he learns from the servants at the hotel that the king is not as popular among the masses as Black Michael, for he has spent most of his life abroad; half of the Ruritanian people are willing to see Michael their king; Michael also wishes to marry princess Flavia – Kings betrothed.

The king and his attendants, purely coincidentally, come across Rassendyll who is sleeping in the sombre shade of the forest of Zenda. When they meet him, all of them including the king are stunned at his uncanny resemblance to the king. The only difference between them is of beard, the king is clean-shaven while he is not. It then, transpires that the king and Rassendyll share a common ancestor. After the exchange of pleasantries, the king invites him to an informal supper which he accepts with rapture. Rassendyll dines with the king, Colonel Sapt and Fritz Von Tarlenheim —both in king’s service. After they have sumptuous dinner, the king is presented a bottle of rare old wine at the behest of Black Michael, and he alone drinks every single drop of it.

“Is love the only thing?” she asked in low, sweet tones that seemed to bring a calm even to my wrung heart. “If love were the only thing I could follow you — in rags, if need to the world’s end; for you hold my heart in the hollow of your hand! But is love the only thing?

I made her no answer. It gives me shame now to think that would not help hers.

She came near me and laid her hand on my shoulder. I put my hand up and held hers.

“I know people write and talk as if it were. Perhaps, for some, Fate lets it be. Ah, if I were one of them! But if love had been the only thing you would have let the king die in his cell ~ Excerpt from the book.

The next morning Rudolf Elphberg-the king– is found to be senseless. It then comes to know that it is the conspiracy of Black Michael to have the king drugged on the eve of the coronation. Black Michael intrigues to claim the throne and to marry the princess. But the king’s friends do not want Black Michael to claim the throne and plan to foil his intentions.

Now begins the testing fold of Rassendyll, who is persuaded to impersonate the king, for none except them knows who he is. He has his beard shaved off and leaves for the capital with his company. The king is left there under the guard of Joseph -one of king’s loyal servants. Everything at the coronation goes according to the plan. No one, including the princess has an iota of suspicion regarding his appearance.

After the coronation transpires successfully, things go wrong: Joseph is murdered; the king is abducted and held hostage. The opposition knows who the real king is; but they are helpless to talk about it, for it will reveal the cunning of Michael.

The king’s men attempt to liberate the king and the Michael does his best to kill the king’s political decoy. The rest of the novel unfolds the sensational adventures that king’s side lives through as well as the opposition.

The book has never remained out of print since its lunch and this attests to the fact that it has been written with craft and dedication. While reading it the reader would find himself/herself in a totally new world.

The book contains all the characteristics of a good novel. The plot of the novel is easy enough to follow; its characters suit the names and are not involved as well. Dialogues seem natural; but there is a flaw in the novel: central character, Rassendyll commits an unnecessary murder of a sentry who is shown to be asleep. This act blemishes his character as a hero.

Notwithstanding such incidents, the novel reaches a very emotional juncture: the departure of lovers. This is a very romantic point full of sorrow. While reading that part, I recalled Shakespeare’s verse from Romeo and Juliet:

Parting is such sweet sorrow,

That I shall say good night till it be morrow.

The writer is student of BSc at Shah Abdul Latif University. He can be reached at sjatoi831@gmail.com