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The Mark of Zorro Johnston McCulley 9780812540079 Books

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The Mark of Zorro Johnston McCulley 9780812540079 Books

A while ago, I decided to give this beloved character another chance by reading The Mark of Zorro, the original novel written by Johnston McCulley and published in 1919. Though we’re not sure who was the real bandit behind the legend of Zorro, the story of the charming Mexican Robin Hood still lives on through films, books and pop culture in general, Since the dawn of time, people were fascinated by heroes who fought for the truth and Zorro isn’t an exception. The masked fencer believes in freedom and justice; therefore he protects the oppressed from corrupt authorities.

"He runs up and down the length of El Camino Real like a goat of the high hills! He wears a mask, and he flashes a pretty blade, they tell me. He uses the point of it to carve his hated letter Z on the cheek of his foe!" (Loc 43) "He has robbed none except officials who have stolen from the missions and the poor, and punished none except brutes who mistreat natives." Loc 125

McCulley’s novel is set in California, in the early 19th century, when this region was still under Spanish rule. On the top of the social pyramid stood powerful aristocratic families whose obsession was to keep their bloodline pure as well as their honour. However, Don Diego de la Vega seems to be the exception to the rule because he dislikes most things a caballero does. He detests violence and the idea of finding a wife of noble blood isn’t too appealing to him. Don Diego is a sensitive young man who enjoys reading poetry and behaves like a whiny dandy. He is so lifeless and unpassionate that even the woman he ought to court mocks him. In contrast to Don Diego’s blend personality, Zorro is courageous risking his life to help the oppressed Native Americans, friars and Caballieros. Unlike Don Diego de la Vega, who avoids combat and shies away from wooing Senorita Lolita Pulido, Zorro is passionate, a skilful fencer and the man who steals the young lady’s heart.

The Mark of Zorro is an action-packed story about courage, heroism, honour, breaking social norms, truth and love. I’ve noticed that the characters are pretty underdeveloped, the dialogue is usually flat, the historical background is very thin and the story is pretty racist and sexist, which reflects the mentality of the time. Despite all its weaknesses, the book is fast-paced, plot-driven and Zorro’s adventures are so seductive that you can’t stop rooting for him.

In the end, though The Mark of Zorro is not a masterpiece in a literary sense, it gave us one of the most famous heroes in pop culture. If you’re looking for a fast-paced action-packed novel, give Johnston McCulley’s novel a try!


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The Mark of Zorro Johnston McCulley 9780812540079 Books Reviews

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, as was expected for a Zorro fan. My husband read this also and thought Don Diego was too languid, but I found his charade amusing. We both loved the way Zorro came across in the story, although I have to say I was surprised by his behavior in one scene which I will not spoil for you by discussing it. The ending also really worked for me. Maybe I had been waiting for such an ending all along, for I was very pleasantly surprised. This novel is much fun and hard to put down! I was almost late to an appointment in my zeal to find out what happens next! (I suppose that is what happens when you live and breathe stories.) This is the original story incorporating all five installments of the Curse of Capistrano serial, and I highly, highly recommend it!

I see that other reviewers (particularly the handful that gave this book one or two stars) have published their reviews here complaining the book is riddled with typos when they are speaking of another version of this book- and one was reviewing the audiobook! In this 2002 edition there were not many, but a couple times when punctuation and spacing caused the need to reread a section, for example when reading dialogue to find there was a shift in character. The punctuation and spacing might make it unclear who is speaking every single time, however as a reader you will quickly realize it when the words don't fit with the character who is supposedly speaking them. Don't let it spoil the book for you- it is a very rare occurrence (less than five times over the course of the entire book) and one you can quickly figure out. There are very few typos in this edition other than that. As a writer, believe me, I notice everything when I read others' works, and there is very little here for anyone to complain about and so much to applaud. Read this version instead of the others and you will be pleased. Yes, give it a chance- especially if you are a Zorro fan! There is so much fun in store for you!
I really enjoyed this book. I love Zorro stories, I enjoyed them when I was growing up as well. The book was well written. Being that I already knew the identity of Zorro I felt that the suspense of the reveal was spoiled. The description and characters we done well for a book written many years ago. I wish the ending was a little better but for the time it was written it was enjoyable. I recommend it.
Johnston D. McCuilley used pieces of California legend to create Zorro, and we have seen countless films made from this book since it originally appeared. Douglas Fairbanks made a notable silent film, and Tyron Power a sound version. The one most people my age remember is the Guy Williams television series from Disney. During an age when westerns dominated television, it stood out for two years on the ABC network. This is swashbuckling western fiction at its best.
I purchased this copy about a year ago. After borrowing a copy of the Mark of Zorro by Johnston Mcculley from my local library I fell in love with the story and decided to purchase it. The story is amazing, however this copy that I recieved is full of typos. For starters the front cover spells his last name wrong. It is Mcculley not Mccully and the correct spelling is even shown on the inside title page. Throughout the book there are many typos but the worst is on page 108 when an entire section is repeated. I included a picture of page 107 and then 108 where the same secton is repeated. Overall I would highly recommend the story The Mark of Zorro, however I would not recommend this version.
A while ago, I decided to give this beloved character another chance by reading The Mark of Zorro, the original novel written by Johnston McCulley and published in 1919. Though we’re not sure who was the real bandit behind the legend of Zorro, the story of the charming Mexican Robin Hood still lives on through films, books and pop culture in general, Since the dawn of time, people were fascinated by heroes who fought for the truth and Zorro isn’t an exception. The masked fencer believes in freedom and justice; therefore he protects the oppressed from corrupt authorities.

"He runs up and down the length of El Camino Real like a goat of the high hills! He wears a mask, and he flashes a pretty blade, they tell me. He uses the point of it to carve his hated letter Z on the cheek of his foe!" (Loc 43) "He has robbed none except officials who have stolen from the missions and the poor, and punished none except brutes who mistreat natives." Loc 125

McCulley’s novel is set in California, in the early 19th century, when this region was still under Spanish rule. On the top of the social pyramid stood powerful aristocratic families whose obsession was to keep their bloodline pure as well as their honour. However, Don Diego de la Vega seems to be the exception to the rule because he dislikes most things a caballero does. He detests violence and the idea of finding a wife of noble blood isn’t too appealing to him. Don Diego is a sensitive young man who enjoys reading poetry and behaves like a whiny dandy. He is so lifeless and unpassionate that even the woman he ought to court mocks him. In contrast to Don Diego’s blend personality, Zorro is courageous risking his life to help the oppressed Native Americans, friars and Caballieros. Unlike Don Diego de la Vega, who avoids combat and shies away from wooing Senorita Lolita Pulido, Zorro is passionate, a skilful fencer and the man who steals the young lady’s heart.

The Mark of Zorro is an action-packed story about courage, heroism, honour, breaking social norms, truth and love. I’ve noticed that the characters are pretty underdeveloped, the dialogue is usually flat, the historical background is very thin and the story is pretty racist and sexist, which reflects the mentality of the time. Despite all its weaknesses, the book is fast-paced, plot-driven and Zorro’s adventures are so seductive that you can’t stop rooting for him.

In the end, though The Mark of Zorro is not a masterpiece in a literary sense, it gave us one of the most famous heroes in pop culture. If you’re looking for a fast-paced action-packed novel, give Johnston McCulley’s novel a try!