1820s California, in a bygone era of sprawling haciendas and haughty caballeros, suffers beneath the whip of oppression. Missions are pillaged, native peasants are abused, and innocent men and women are persecuted by the corrupt governor and his army. But a champion of freedom rides the highways. His identity hidden behind a mask, the laughing outlaw Zorro defies the tyrant’s might. A deadly marksman and a demon swordsman, his flashing blade strikes down those who exploit the poor and oppressed.
First published in 1919, The Mark of Zorro remains a paradigm of swashbuckling adventure and a popular novel to this day.
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"I enjoyed this book. If you've read all of the Scarlet Pimpernel series, and you want something similar, try this book. I understand that some newer editions have additions by later authors, not in the original copy, so if you want to read it the way it was originally published, you can find it on Manybooks.net, under the title "The Curse of Capistrano." "The Mark of Zorro" is its later title."
— Melissa (4 out of 5 stars)
“Narrator Armando Duran breathes life into the character of Don Diego Vega: by day an effete aristocrat, by night a dashing defender of the poor. Duran draws on his stage experience, his ethnic memory, and his joyful vigor as he tells the story of Señor Zorro’s courtship with Lolita Pulido while bloodying the noses of corrupt government officers. This adaptation of the classic story is delightful from start to climactic finish. Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.”
— AudioFile“A succession of thrills from first page to last…Original…Captivating.”
— Boston Traveler" Fast-paced story of, Zorro-defender of justice(yay), Lolita-California beauty(aww), and Captain Ramon-the bad guy (boo). The original Zorro! "
— Erika, 2/6/2014" Good early American thriller writing. "
— Marko, 2/4/2014" Fun, though not as good in terms of dialogue/witticisms as the Scarlet Pimpernel. It was also painfully obvious as to who Zorro's true identity was, but still, cute fun overall. "
— Pygmy, 2/3/2014" A full-cast audio book starring Val Kilmer as Zorro, with a pretty awesome musical score as well. Definitely audiobook listening at it's best. Beware though, this recording is so FULL OF CHEESE my head almost exploded. If campy yet quality productions sound good to you, this a great three-hour audiobook to take on a long car ride. Kid appropriate, too. "
— Rob, 2/1/2014" This was well written. I wasn't paying much attention the first time I read it, so I didn't pick up on all the "Easter eggs" laid out in the story. It's a good adventure book. If you like adventure, give this a shot. "
— Sep, 1/24/2014" my favorite movie (Tyrone please with dastardly Basil) and now my favorite book. took me a while to track down a hard copy years ago but glad I did. like the movie the book is great every time you read it. now if i could just get the not so good music out of my head ... "
— Duffy, 1/22/2014" Enjoyed this, although it felt dated and much like a rehash of Orczy. The heroine was unexpectedly engaging. "
— Elise, 1/18/2014" Great unabridged reading of this fun adventure story on the Classic Tales Podcast. I really enjoyed listening. This is the only real Zorro book, which I found surprising, as there are so many movies, but this was better than the movies. "
— Brenda, 1/17/2014" This book was a lot of fun -- Batman lore takes a lot from Zorro! Very interesting read. "
— Caitlin, 1/17/2014" The original tale of Zorro, Don Diego Vega "
— Marts, 1/14/2014" I listened to the audiobook starring Val Kilmer and a great cast of readers. They brought the story alive and truly made the miles go quickly as we sped down the highway. "
— Carol, 1/11/2014" I was surprised that the author saved the big reveal for the final pages. It semed obvious to me from the first scene. I guess I don't know what it would be like to read with no clue who the masked hero was. "
— Kelly, 1/3/2014" Completely cliched and silly now, but a fun swashbuckling change of pace. "
— Carl, 12/22/2013" my favorite movie (Tyrone please with dastardly Basil) and now my favorite book. took me a while to track down a hard copy years ago but glad I did. like the movie the book is great every time you read it. now if i could just get the not so good music out of my head ... "
— Duffy, 12/19/2013" Simple fast and fun. Exactly how I remember The Fox from growing up "
— Eros, 12/18/2013" Fun read if you don't take it seriously, reminded me of the old black and white show with Zorro. "
— Deanne, 12/11/2013" I remember reading this in my youth and being fascinated with Zorro. Even then I loved how the 'little guy' was being protected. "
— Karen, 12/4/2013" Heard on "The Classic Tales Podcast". Funnier than I expected. Female characters are lightly drawn but still show strength of character. Don Diego/Zorro is my second favorite masked character now (after the Scarlet Pimpernel). "
— Kathi, 11/22/2013" I LOVE this story! Take The Scarlet Pimpernel and add healthy heaping of Spanish flavor and voila! The Mark of Zorro. I can see myself listening to this again in a few years. Even though it was predictable, it was fun and entertaining. "
— Judy, 11/7/2013" A lttle silly but fun to read. "
— Jerry, 10/24/2013" Completely cliched and silly now, but a fun swashbuckling change of pace. "
— Carl, 10/19/2013" An amazing book. A perfect book for breaking to classic action and adventure with romance. "
— Cody, 10/7/2013" Good early American thriller writing. "
— Marko, 10/4/2013" This is an American Classic that should be included in every school library between 5th grade and university. "
— Kristina, 9/10/2013" This is a terrific audiobook presentation of one of my favorite classics. Val Kilmer does an incredible job of bringing both Don Diego and El Zorro to life. Highly, highly recommended for all adventure fans! "
— John, 7/9/2013" Charming pulp. Light and fun. "
— Andre, 6/21/2013" This would have been a better tale if I hadn't been able to guess Zorro's real identity right away. "
— Amy, 6/1/2013" Fun read if you don't take it seriously, reminded me of the old black and white show with Zorro. "
— Deanne, 5/28/2013" While not very deep, this original novel of the masked avenger, originally published in the 1920's, is a must read for lovers of either the character or good old action-packed adventure stories. "
— Jason, 5/9/2013" I was surprised that the author saved the big reveal for the final pages. It semed obvious to me from the first scene. I guess I don't know what it would be like to read with no clue who the masked hero was. "
— Kelly, 4/9/2013" The original tale of Zorro, Don Diego Vega "
— Marts, 4/8/2013" It was fine,(I enjoyed the drama and suspense), but it left me feeling somewhat unsatisfied. I personally feel that the author could have improved it. "
— Gen, 3/4/2013" Fun, though not as good in terms of dialogue/witticisms as the Scarlet Pimpernel. It was also painfully obvious as to who Zorro's true identity was, but still, cute fun overall. "
— Pygmy, 12/28/2012" I'm so happy about this book. I loved it. Adored it. Want to give it a hug...but I can't cuz I read the ebook. Can't hug my device cuz then it's like I'm hugging everything. Books are meant to be hugged. Must get the paperback... "
— Allison, 11/2/2012" I wanted to read this book because Zorro is such a well known character. It was kind of interesting to think that it was written 100 years ago when my great grandfather was probably around my age. But actually it was pretty cheesy. "
— Bruce, 4/14/2012" This isn't a bad book. There just aren't any surprises if you know Zorro's true identity before you go in. "
— Dan, 3/20/2012Johnston McCulley (1883–1958) created his most famous character, Zorro, in 1919. He was the author of hundreds of stories, fifty novels, and numerous screenplays for film and television. He wrote sixty Zorro stories during his career.
Armando Durán has appeared in films, television, and regional theaters throughout the West Coast. For the last decade he has been a member of the resident acting company at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. In 2009 he was named by AudioFile as Best Voice in Biography and History for his narration of Che Guevara. A native Californian, he divides his time between Los Angeles and Ashland, Oregon.