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Title: Zorra, the Dull Blade
Review: I'd have thought it impossible to write a dull Zorro story. A bad one, sure, but one that's dull as well?Allende's Zorro is a harmless, ineffectual, hormone-hobbled fop. The story has a few bold moments, but I soon began to wish the hero would grow up. I wonder if Allende had any respect left for her character when she finished writing. If you want to know Zorro's origins, read Mark of Zorro, McCulley's original serialization. It, like its hero, is bolder, more daring, and less pathetic than Allende's Zorro, who is somehow made less interesting than a mute character. McCulley recalled the basic principle: heroes should be admirable. Allende's Zorro is a narcissistic adolescent who would be more at home in the mall, or endlessly reading self-help books.The paperback has this going for it: the cover is more appropriate to the story.
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