The Prisoner of Zenda
The Prisoner of Zenda is a novel by Anthony Hope, published in 1894. It tells the story of a man named Rudolf Rassendyll, who impersonates the prince of the fictional country of Ruritania to foil a plot against him. The novel is known for its fast-paced action, adventure, and romance, as well as its witty dialogue and memorable characters.
By Antonio Hope · First published 1894 · Genre: Adventure, Romance, Political thriller · 22 chapters · 67,440 words
First lines
"I wonder when in the world you're going to do anything, Rudolf?" said my brother's wife.
"My dear Rose," I answered, laying down my egg-spoon, "why in the world should I do anything? My position is a comfortable one. I have an income nearly sufficient for my wants (no one's income is ever quite sufficient, you know), I enjoy an enviable social position: I am brother to Lord Burlesdon, and brother-in-law to that charming lady, his countess. Behold, it is enough!"
What this Textopian page supports
The Prisoner of Zenda is listed on Textopian as a novel by Antonio Hope, dated 1894 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Antonio Hope
- Date: 1894 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Romance, Political thriller, Historical fiction
- Length: 67,440 words
- Structure: 22 chapters, 1,695 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Prisoner of Zenda by Antonio Hope
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Prisoner of Zenda?
- How does this novel by Antonio Hope fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Adventure first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Companions Of Jehu by Alexandre Dumas
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- Castle Gay by John Buchan
- Sandi The King Maker by Edgar Wallace
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Genres
- Adventure — The narrative follows the protagonist on a quest through a foreign kingdom, facing dangers and thrilling scenarios which are typical in an adventure genre.
- Romance — The plot largely revolves around the romantic entanglement between the protagonist and the princess, highlighting the romantic aspects of the storyline.
- Political thriller — The story unfolds in a political setting, dealing with a royal kidnapping and impersonation, often seen in political thrillers.
- Historical fiction — While the country of Ruritania is fictional, the setting, characters, and events draw heavily from 19th-century European history and culture, aligning the book with historical fiction.
Tags
adventure · fantasy · romance · mystery · thriller · espionage · political intrigue · action · suspense · plot twist · double agent · disguise
Contents
- The Rassendylls - With a Word on the Elphbergs
- Concerning the Colour of Men's Hair
- A Merry Evening with a Distant Relative
- The King Keeps His Appointment
- The Adventures of an Understudy
- The Secret of a Cellar
- His Majesty Sleeps in Strelsau
- A Fair Cousin and a Dark Brother
- A New Use for a Tea-table
- A Great Chance for a Villain
- Hunting a Very Big Boar
- I Receive a Visitor and Bait a Hook
- An Improvement on Jacob's Ladder
- A Night Outside the Castle
- I Talk with a Tempter
- A Desperate Plan
- Young Rupert's Midnight Diversions
- The Forcing of the Trap
- Face to Face in the Forest
- The Prisoner and the King
- If love were all!
- Present, Past - and Future?