Rafael Sabatini Books

I have yet to read a Raphael Sabatini novel I didn't enjoy. I would rank this book among my favorites (the others being The Sea Hawk, Love-at-Arms and The Sword of Islam). Set when Henry Morgan, governor of Jamaica, is charged with clearing the Caribbean of the pirates that used to be his brethren, The Black Swan is the story of Henry's trusted lieutenant who, supposedly en route to his retirement, runs into the last pirate at large, and finds himself and the beautiful governor's daughter traveling on board at his mercy. To save his life (and hers) he convinces the pirate that he's turned against Morgan and that the lady is under his protection. What follows is an adventure fraught with peril and suspense as our hero tries to balance his story and actions against a pirate determined to double-cross him at the first chance he gets, for the treasure and the girl.

It's a great story. The Maureen O'Hara - Tyrone Power movie is a toothless, fluffy version of the story. A better movie to compare the feel of this story to would be "The Glass Key" with Alan Ladd. Our hero is as cool-headed and calculating, and never loses sight of his ultimate goal.

I collect Sabatini novels, and when I occasionally re-read a few, The Black Swan is one of the first I'll revisit. It bears almost no resemblance to the Tyrone Power/Maureen O'Hara film; in fact, it's much better. While traveling from a British Caribbean colony to England, Priscilla Harradine and family friend Major Sands encounter Sir Henry Morgan's lieutenant (and former buccaneer) Charles de Bernis just before they are all captured by the notorious pirate Tom Leach. While de Bernis sets about convincing Leach he's on his side, Priscilla quietly falls for the Frenchman and Sands reveals himself to be a pompous old fool. In the end, of course, the hero de Bernis has something up his sleeve and things work out in typical Sabatini fashion.

The plot isn't as complex as most of Sabatini's other works, and it is one of his later books. But while it's a bit lighter, it's still an entertaining read. One interesting difference from the author's other works is the near absence of the misunderstanding between the male and female lead characters that keeps them apart for a while.

This is definitely one I'd recommend.

Rafael Sabatini's The Black Swan takes you through the jadegreen waters and tropical islands of the Caribbean into the violent,adventurous world of pirates and buccaneers. Priscilla Harradine is on her way to England after her father's recent death, accompanied by Major Sands, a devoted but pompous and dull-witted friend of her late father. Just before the Centaur, the ship on which they are traveling casts off, a tall dark stranger bound for Guadeloupe boards. Major Sands resents the presence of the dashing Frenchman, especially after learning that he is a former buccaneer. Priscilla however, much to the indignation of the Major who hopes to marry her, is fascinated by Charles de Bernis. She and the mysterious adventurer enjoy each other's company in the short time before he is to be put ashore at Sainte Croix. But the tranquility of the voyage is soon shattered when Monsieur de Bernis sights a dark image from his past on the morning horizon... The Black Swan is an intriguing, well written book that will keep your attention riveted to its pages. Readers who enjoy it will also like The Sea Hawk and Captain Blood by the same author.

Perhaps the best pirate novel ever written, Sabatini takes you right there, to feel the salt and sun, the fear and the joy, the fearsome loyalty. A classic adventure, magnificent wordcrafting and verbal choreography. When Sabatini describes a swordfight, you hear and see every clash, grunt and splash. They don't write like this anymore. Only George McDonald Fraser comes close these days.

Rafael Sabatini was scoffed at by many critics of his day who did not enjoy his melodramatic historical novels but remained popular with the public. (Just goes to show that sometimes the public is right. His best working period were the teens and early twenties of the twentieth century during this time he wrote the Sea Hawk, Captain Blood, Bellarion and Scaramouche. His later books have not quite the ramantic charm but they are still quite a lot better than your average modern historic novel.

The plot is basically a contest of wills on a south sea island between a French corsair who is defending a lady passenger and a rather nasty English pirate. The suspense is well portrayed and there is a rather good suprise ending. (It's not giving anything away to say that no one could forget the severed head scene) I found the heroine to be somewhat dim-witted at times but I really liked the hero, Charlie.

The movie version of this book does not follow it at all (it only borrows a few characters names) so viewing is no substitute for reading the real thing.

This is a great book! It has a great hero, who thinks circles around his enemys: Bellarion is the brilliant boy raised in a monastary, who is always the chivalrous gentlemen, protects ladies and always does what is right. The whole book keeps you guessing at the plot, and is very well written. I have read several other books by this other and so far this is my favorite. It is my present favorite book right now, up there with "The Chronicles of Narnia" and "Freckles". This is not a quick read;it is a story you will want to savor. I highly recommend this book!

Wnen I was a girl, I read all of Sabatini's novels, and this was my favorite. Sometimes Jane Austen's Fitzwilliam Darcy was my ideal man, and other times Bellarion was. I just reread Bellarion more than fifty years later, and I still love him. He was fortunate, always escaping by the skin of his teeth, but also misunderstood. So brave, so self-effacing, so brilliant. Of course, it turns out all right. But on the way, one worries so about that strange but loveable boy who sets out to walk to school in Padua in the fifteenth century and ends up in all kinds of fixes, meanwhile becoming the leading condottiere in Italy. The most fascinating part about him is his inventive and slippery mind. A really good read.

I agree with the other reviewer (ralo91) about what makes the title character so interesting, and I would add that this is one of the author's three or four best works. Bellarion begins as a scholar out of a monastery and in the world for the first time, ending up a nobleman and the leading mercenary in early fifteenth century Italy. All throughout, he prevails through strategy and cleverness instead of brawn or force of arms. As one character observes, Bellarion never aims where he looks.

The glory and honors he accumulates are the last thing on his mind, though. Every step he takes is to advance the cause of Princess Valeria of Montferrat--"sheer knight-errantry" as Sabatini calls it--made all the more interesting because Valeria wants to believe that Bellarion isn't the venal opportunist she perceives him to be, but for the longest time she can't get beyond appearances.

Highly recommended, especially if you enjoyed Captain Blood, Scaramouche, or The Sea-Hawk.

Not so much the return of the Captain, darlin', but his "overlooked" adventures in Sabatini's first book, begining shortly after his escape from slavery. Contains all the clever tricks and swashbuckling you've come to expect in a series of short stories. Sabatini's talent really shines in this format and _Captain Blood Returns_ is entertaining to read all at once or bits at a time.

THIS WAS A EXCELLANT STORY OF THE BUCCANEERS OF THE SPANISH MAIN.
I CANNOT FOR THE LIFE OF ME SEE WHY THIS BOOK IS NOT MORE FAMOUS THAN THE ORIGINAL BOOK. I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE SEQUEL TO THIS STORY TO CONTINUE THE THRILL ON AND ON.

I was surprised to find there were more books written about Captain Blood. I had read the original Captain Blood and loved it. I think it is high time Hollywood remade the movie too. Captain Blood Returns takes place during the same time as the original Captain Blood story. It is a collection of more adventures that could very well have been added to the original story. I can't wait to read the next book waiting for me--The Fortunes of Captain Blood.

The thirteenth volume in a series of impressive graphic novel anthologies drawn from classic stories and illustrated by various artists, Graphic Classics: Rafael Sabatini is a black-and-white compilation of tales of pirates, princesses, love, murder, hypnotism, extortion, and much more. The stories and their illustrators are "Captain Blood" by Carlo Vergara, "The Dream" by Rich Tommaso, "The Plague of Ghosts" by Gerry Alanguilan, "The Fool's Love Story" by Milton Knight, "The Spiritualist" by Roger Langridge, "The Valet Mystery" by Stanley Shaw, "The Risen Dead" by Jackie Smith, and a comic biography of Rafael Sabatini written by Mort Castle and illustrated by Kevin Atkinson. An eclectic range of tales with a common theme of excitement and intrigue, Graphic Classics: Rafael Sabatini is recommended as an introduction to Sabatini's timeless tales of high adventure.

I knew next to nothing about Rafael Sabatini before I picked up this latest volume of Graphic Classics. I always did love a good swashbuckler though, and I figured the creator of Captain Blood and Scaramouche was worth a look. Graphic Classics hasn't let me down yet, and this certainly won't be the last time they introduce me to a fantastic writer.

Remembered primarily for the slate of Errol Flynn films adapted from his works, such as "Captain Blood" and "The Sea Hawk," Sabatini is credited with the literary creation of the anti-hero, a rogue who's heroic nature is made heroic only by striving against those more villainous than himself. A host of pirates, charlatans and highway robbers manage to ingratiate themselves to the reader under Sabatini's guiding hand.

"Graphic Classics: Rafael Sabatini" is clearly a labor of love for editor Tom Pomplun, and he has put extra care into its quality. There is not a weak piece in this volume, and the artists are especially well-matched to the stories.

This volume contains:

"Captain Blood" - From a doctor, to a slave, to a free-booting pirate, Peter Blood's story is a bloody swath of adventure. Illustrated in a straight-forward but suitable style, Sabatini's most famous story comes dramatically to life. This one definitely makes me want to get the book and read the full story.

"Desperately Seeking Sabatini" - A hunt for the author,written by a college professor who wonders why Sabatini is not better remembered. Sabatini's story is an eye-opener. I had thought of him as a contemporary of Alexandre Dumas, not someone who was able to go see his own movies.

"The Valet Mystery" - A clever short story in the Sherlock Holmes vein, tense and with an interesting twist.

"The Spiritualist" - A comedic tale of a charlatan and the worlds beyond. Great illustrations to compliment the story.

"The Plague of Ghosts" - Another mystery, where a former con man hires his services to the police to uncover other con men. This time, a haunted castle and a bullet-proof ghost with a blazing skull. Classical art on this one really brings out the mystery.

"The Fool's Love Story" - Artist Milton Knight brings his personal flair to this story of the courage of ugly people, and how their love is no less powerful than the beautiful's.

"The Risen Dead" - A no-account rogue is finally brought to trial, although it is for a crime he didn't commit. A miracle grants him a second chance, but it is up to him to make something of it.

"The Dream" - An creepy tale of a mesmerist seeking to enforce his will upon a young lady of fortune. Her true love intervenes best he can, but the mesmerist's powers are strong.

This may not be Sabatini's best-known novel, but it is certainly among his best. Bellarion (1926) is the favorite hero of many a Sabatini fan, and it is easy to understand why. Here we have the author at his height, indulging his wit with sparkling dialogue and turns of phrase, his thorough knowledge of Renaissance Italy, as well as his penchant for ironic plot twists and surprises. A MacGyver-like character who triumphs almost uncannily by brains instead of brawn, the hero consistently awes the reader by escaping Houdini-like from the direst and most impossible straights. Suspenseful, witty, and ingenious, Bellarion is entertaining for young and old alike (great bedtime reading). But just one problem: I found it almost impossible to put down. Enjoy!

GREAT BOOK!!!!! Very action packed and is one that you can't put down. A must read!!

An outstanding omnibus which collects eleven of Sabatini's "lost" short stories and nine stories which are based on events from the historical Casanova's memoirs. Sabatini's short stories are masterful in their pace and ability to immediately immerse the reader in an adventure (invariably featuring a rascally hero) which ends in total satisfaction for the reader, if not the hero. The stories are all set from the 16th-18th centuries in various European locales and are shining examples of the craft of historical adventure writing.

MOST PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW THAT THIS IS THE SAME STORY WITH A DIFFERENT TITLE AS SABATINI'S " MAN AT ARMS ". EXCELLANT STORY LINE.

This is the quintessence of a swashbuckling novel, and one of my absolute favorites. It's got politics, fencing, romance, philosophy, and revolution, frankly, it has it all! If you want a good swashbuckling adventure I can't recommend one more!

The Anglo-French Vicomte Marc-Antoine de Saulx arrives in Venice on secret mission from the British Prime Minister to save the Venetian Republic from being annexed by Napoleon. In order to accomplish his task, he must play a dangerous game of double agent, while at the same time attempting to save his former betrothed from being sacrificed on the altar of international politics.

Although seldom read or discussed, Venetian Masque (1934) is nevertheless a fine example of Sabatini's later works. The writing style is mature and even (despite a somewhat abrupt beginning); the plot and dialogue are sophisticated, with plenty of action, twists of fate and international intrigue. Like most of the author's works, it is difficult to put down.
A lesser known novel, but still showing Sabatini at the height of his powers. A must-read for fans of the author.