The Mark of Zorro
by Johnston McCulley
The (a) story follows the citizens living along El Camino Real during a bygone era of California. Back in the days of refined caballeros, beautiful señoritas, and a sprawling pueblo known as Reina de Los Angeles, a masked vigilante they call Señor Zorro emerges from the nighttime shadows to protect the innocent and punish the corrupt and unjust.
In the light of day, Sergent Pedro Gonzales pursues the highwayman, and the substantial reward that comes with his capture; young, uninspired Don Diego Vega is compelled by his father to find a bride; Don Carlos Pulido is preoccupied with his misfortunes; and his daughter, the Señorita Lolita, will soon find herself caught between the attentions of both the passive, but rich Don Diego Vega and the mysterious, but highly alluring Señor Zorro.
The (A) story, it probably goes without saying, is about the masks (both literal and figurative) we all wear. But in the case of Señor Zorro, the literal mask is what reveals his true nature to the rest of the world while his everyday alter ego is the mask he hides behind.
Of course, the book is also about justice in the face of political corruption, and the necessity of real, everyday heroes—not just the ones who can leap over tall buildings and shoot lasers out of their eyes.
I first read this book when I was about ten or twelve years old, and I absolutely loved it. Coming back to it as an adult, I have two specific words to describe it, and the first one is “simple.” This is not a sophisticated book in the slightest. It does not contain complex emotional development or political intrigue; the characters are fairly one-dimensional, and the descriptive details are few. It is little more than a highly romanticized adventure story told through a (somewhat) Hispanic cultural lens.
The second word I would use to describe it, however, is fun. This book is so much fun, and honestly, I think the simplicity has a lot to do with that. While it may not be the most sophisticated piece of literature I have ever picked up, it is still a delightful bit of escapism that leaves me grinning over the pages through several scenes. Coming at it as an adult, I cannot help but compare it to watching a soap opera: definitely not my cup of tea in the long run, but every once in a while the over-the-top drama and ridiculous situations can be extremely entertaining.
Does the book have its problems? Yes. Some of the situations and the language used (especially when describing indigenous Americans) are obviously dated. But there are only two or three moments of dated-ness throughout the story that truly strike me as cringe-worthy, and a definite sign of the times in which this story a.) was written, and b.) takes place. Beyond those moments, however, this book is exactly as I described above: pure, simple, and innocent fun.
If you’re looking for an adventure story this summer that isn’t too perilous, might make you chuckle a bit, and has a gooey romantic subplot, then The Mark of Zorro is the perfect book for you.
