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Originally Posted by issybird
I'm glad that TTM has been brought up in the context of The Scarlet Pimpernel. Many seemed not to like TTM because they found the Musketeers themselves despicable. The same objection can't be made to the noble in both social standing and character members of the League! And yet, wouldn't it be more realistic for a group of vigilantes to engage in drinking, whoring and thievery as likely ancillaries to their lives of action, than only to do that which aids others?
It's one reason why while Scarlet Pimpernel may be a better read (it never bogs down), TTM is a better book.
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I don't read a book for reality though, I
want the main characters to be noble and good. Yes, TTM is better written, but I cannot say it is a better book. Different expectations I guess.
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Originally Posted by gmw
The level of my disappointment in TTM stems mostly (I think) from the disparity between the actual text (well, the translation that I read) and its modern reputation. We come to TTM expecting noble behaviour and get what I'm quite willing to accept was probably more likely to be the case in reality: inconsiderate thugs out for themselves at the expense of any and all others. As such I can really appreciate Dazrin's comments.
TTM is certainly a more accomplished work: it had less obvious plot holes, and the plot had more potential. But then The Scarlet Pimpernel is among Orczy's earlier efforts; I haven't heard that she had others to do the hard work for her, and I think the objectives were rather different. But the story of the The Scarlet Pimpernel has survived intact, its modern reputation reflects pretty much exactly what the story actually is. Perhaps it is that it was written so much closer to our own time that it better reflects our modern mores.
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The perception vs reality issue really is my problem with TTM too. Hollywood and children's versions of the story have so changed it that the general perception is no longer reflective of the book and therefore the book is very disappointing in spirit while still good from the technical standpoint.
I am not a big fan of "anti-heroes" in general though, so I do know that is influencing me here. Gritty-ness, while sometimes more "authentic", is not what I read for. I want an escape from that. The Song of Ice and Fire series (Game of Thrones) is another example, technically good writing (at least as far as I got) but not worth consuming.
I was talking with a friend about GoT and said I didn't care for them. He said I would be rooting for Jamie Lannister in later books. After the scene in the tower with Jamie and Cercei, I doubted it then and now. I finished the first book but won't go back for more.