Summary:
"El prisionero de Zenda" by Anthony Hope is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story unfolds in the fictional kingdom of Ruritania and revolves around the character Rodolfo Raséndil, a distant cousin of the recently crowned King Rodolfo V, who finds himself embroiled in a political intrigue involving royal impersonation and a power struggle with the Duke of Estrelsau. The opening of the novel introduces Rodolfo Raséndil as a leisurely Englishman of noble descent, who is engaged in light-hearted banter with his family about his unproductive lifestyle. He reveals his intent to travel to Ruritania, coinciding with the coronation of the new king. Through casual conversations, the reader learns about Ruritania's royal lineage and the complications surrounding it, including an undertone of rivalry with the duke, Miguel. Rodolfo's plans take a turn as he becomes intrigued by the political undercurrents of his homeland, setting the stage for an adventure filled with suspense, unexpected responsibilities, and the clash between duty and desire. (This is an automatically generated summary.)