Sir Anthony Hope Hawkins, better known as Anthony Hope was an English novelist and playwright. He was a prolific writer, especially of adventure novels. The Prisoner of Zenda is an adventure novel. When an evil prince plots to steal the Ruritanian throne and kidnaps his elder brother, a look-alike is persuaded to stand in for the rightful king. English nobleman Rudolph Rassendyll must successfully impersonate the monarch, assist in the prisoner's liberation from the Castle of Zenda — and come to terms with his growing attraction to Princess Flavia, the king's betrothed, who remains unaware of his true identity.