One of my all-time favorites. Johnston McCulley perfectly captured the swashbuckling elegance of the character he sought to create, while also crafting a story rich with a desire for justice over oppression. This outline of a hero that is a gentleman, who seeks remorse rather than revenge, is what makes Zorro so compelling. Couple this with a light tome that does not fear to stray into the dark, as well as a memorable cast of characters and it becomes easy to get sucked in. I should mention this book shows it's age in some moments but that is to be expected given it was written in 1919. With that said, the message of equality, the condemnation of racism, classism, and authoritarianism is clear and relevant as ever. ¡Viva Zorro!