Have you ever wondered what your favorite hero or heroine was like growing up?  Celebrated historical fiction author Isabel Allende envisions the development of Spanish-American legend Zorro in this swashbuckling tale of adventure.  Allende, author of historical sagas including Portrait in Sepia and Daughter of Fortune, traces the larger-than-life figure from his origins as Diego de la Vega, born in 18th century California to a Spanish military man and a beautiful Native American warrior-woman.  Young Diego spends his days playing with his best friend Bernardo (his nurse's son), acting out the dramatic novels that he loves.  He is also close to his maternal grandmother, a Shoshone medicine woman who teaches him the ways of her tribe. 

As he grows up, Diego begins to see the injustice faced by those outside his world of privilege, particularly his Native American relatives.  When he reaches the age of 16, Diego is sent to school in Spain, where he meets his mentor.  While in Spain, he is trained in the art of fencing and initiated into a secret society that pursues justice for the oppressed.  Years later, Diego returns to California a man, ready to fight for his people.  And thus, Zorro is born.  Assisted by Bernardo, now his trusty sidekick, Diego dons a mask and cape and challenges the corrupt local establishment in the style of the Zorro we know so well.

Allende has achieved a literary balancing act, effortlessly blending adventure with humor and legend with historical detail.  Throughout the story, she manages to reveal the humanity of Diego de la Vega without dispelling the romance of Zorro.  Diego may be a dreamer and even a bit of a dandy, but as Zorro he is determined, passionate, and capable.  There are women to woo, justice to seek and, of course, a nemesis to conquer.  And no shortage of chuckles along the way.