It is a testament to the strength of fictional characters when we seek to learn what they were like as children. In Isabel Allende's Zorro, the movie-serial icon of the 40s, TV icon of the 50s, and big-screen icon of five decades since, is revealed as he develops the traits that made him attractive to generations.
To me, who lived for two decades in the LA area, the Zorro legend has a particular appeal. Place-names and real historical figures mingle in these legends with fictional heroes and villains. The Robin Hood quality of Zorro made him particularly endearing to me as a child; long before I knew of La Cienaga and the Cajuenga Pass, I felt the satisfaction of seeing justice dispensed at the end of a blade by Don Diego de la Vega's alter ega, Zorro. In my childhood, Zorro and Guy Williams were inseparable. Even the brilliant performances by George Hamilton (Zorro, the Gay Blade) and Antonio Banderas (The Mask of Zorro) in the role could not quite disabuse me of this. "They are actors," a younger me whispers. "You know the real Zorro is Guy Williams."
It took a book, this book, to finally replace my mental image of the Spanish hero in the Alta California. For the first time, I see the growth of Zorro in the childhood training of young Diego. I learn why his brother Bernardo (relegated to the role of sidekick in so many Hollywood renditions) is important to de la Vega's yearning for justice and his protective stance toward California's Indians. I meet and understand his childhood nemesis, Rafael Moncada, and learn why their contention has the power to endure into their adulthood.
For the first time, I understand why the bumbling of the doltish Garcia so often turned the tide in Zorro's favor. I see the long history that allows the Franciscan priest to extend the sanctuary of the mission to a thief's desire for escape. Even the map of Zorro's domain is made explicit.
Article comments
1 - alpha
Isabel Allende is one of my favorite contemporary writers. Ever since The House of the Spirits blew me away I have been reading her and watching the movies made from her books. I haven't yet gotten to this one and will pick it up in the States next month.
She combines Chile, all of the Spanish, Catholic, occult world with a healthy dose of American thriller-ness. The kind of writing that Winona Ryder brought off in the film. Now Zorro . I can't wait. My only disagreement was with Antonio Banderas and the most recent Zorro which I though fell on its face and his face. He just is not Erroll Flynn.
So I'm up for a good version and then the movie of it.
2 - Shark
DrP, coupla comments:
Nice review. I'll get this book.
My 5 yr old *grandson and I LOVE Zorro! (*Of course, I've schooled him in ALL the great outlaw heroes, Robin Hood, Capt. Blood, Zorro: but his favorite is Zorro)
You're aware of the original novel, Mark of Zorro, et al. by Johnston McCulley? Fun stuff.
You're also aware of the FABULOUS Zorro book by the great artist Alex Toth? It's based on the Disney version. Again, well worth the price.
ALAS: The Guy Williams ZORRO (Disney) is OUT OF PRINT on DVDs. (Actually, Disney never released it. Don't know why.) I would love to get a letter-writing campaign together to petition Disney to put those classics out on DVD. (There are a few web sites of fellow zorro fanatics who would probably contribute to the cause.)
3 - DrPat
As an adult, Shark, I don't know that I would have quite the same enjoyment in watching the Disney TV version. I'd be reluctant to test it, lest the memories be tainted.
I was amazed, though, at how strongly the images from that long-ago program came back to me as I read this book.
4 - Shark
"As an adult..."
[LOUD EAR-SHATTERING BUZZER ERUPTS]
um, now Doc, tell me what's wrong with the above 'opening.'
Now go to your room and think it over.
======
Okay, you can come out now.
Doc, re: images from the Disney version;
You should definitely check out the Alex Toth book -- assuming you've learned your lesson and decided to stop insisting on 'being an adult'.
S
5 - shaquira
good books i read them all