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Title: The Sea-Hawk by Rafael Sabatini ISBN: 0-393-32331-5 Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company Pub. Date: July, 2002 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.86 (7 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Couldn't put it down...
Comment: I was lucky enough to pick up the 1921 edition of the book at a garage sale. It sat in my library for a couple of years unread. I took it with me on a Mexican vacation to an out of the way village in the highlands of Puebla. It was the 'only' source of entertainment I had when the day wound down and after the first 50 pages I was hooked--up all night reading it, engrossed in the characterizations and plot lines. I read it twice more that week at a much more liesurely pace. Sabatini has a gift for physical description that paints a scene or player so vividly that the novel is almost cinematic. Other reviewers talk about the Errol Flynn film--I recommend the 1924 silent version starring Milton Sills and Wallace Beery. Far superior and more true to the book. This is a swashbuckler with a true sense and appreciation of history and period. I am currently reading it to my 5 year old grandchildren--I have three--with appropriate vocal effects and sideways diversions--and they love it. Buy and read this book. It is much better than you could hope for.
Rating: 4
Summary: Pirates, abductions and betrayal!
Comment: For those who love adventure in exotic and far off times and places, Rafael Sabatini was a godsend. And this one is certainly up there among his successes! Here is a tale about an English gentleman of Cornwall, Sir Oliver Tressilian, who is betrayed into ignominy and bondage by a dastardly kinsman who covets Sir Oliver's wealth and, incidentally, safety for himself. Sir Oliver ends up finding a new and successful life in another culture but cannot forgive what has been done to him so that, when the time comes, he cannot but throw all he has won away in a search for vengeance against those who have wronged him. How this all works out (and it's not that hard to predict though fun to follow as it unfolds), is the subject of this tight little tale of Barbary pirates on the Mediterranean. The Arab world is convincingly, if romantically, portrayed as far as it goes but I felt a decided lack in the development of the Muslim characters. They seemed overly simplistic and one-dimensional to me. On the other hand, the English characters weren't much more richly drawn except for brother Lionel, perhaps, as he wrestles with his private demons in seeking a way to resolve the quandary he has got himself into. The lovely Rosamund was just a paper doll, I fear, while Sir Oliver was, himself, little more than the typical tall, handsome, English gentleman with the touch of the rogue in him. Sir John seemed a bit more human in his dull and plodding way. But, in the end, this tale wasn't about characters as much as about action and there's enough of that, along with betrayals and suspense, to keep lovers of historical adventures glued to the pages until the final denouement. Worth a read and then some but not likley to remain with you afterwards. -- SWM
Rating: 5
Summary: One of my favorites revisited
Comment: This has been one of my favorite books since I happened upon it a few years ago. I read it all in one sitting but I have not read it cover to cover again until now.
I was struck by the marvelous characterization, even the villains have a depth that is rather unusual in novels of this period. I was also struck by the intensity of emotion. This is what melodrama OUGHT to be but seldom is.
The hero (rather anti-hero) of the Sea Hawk is Sir Oliver, a Cornish nobleman betrayed or abondoned by everyone he ever loved. Framed for murder, spurned and insulted by his fiancee, sold into slavery by his half-brother, Sir Oliver turns inward and his soul becomes twisted with hate and desire for vengeance. And that's only the first half.
Sabatini should be commended for creating an understandable anti-hero. He should be given a prize for creating a heroine who matches him in intensity. Lady Rosamund is a rare creature (even in our liberated society) a heroine who is femine but with steel behind her smile. She is intelligent and alternately defends and accuses Sir Oliver with equal fervor. Even when he seems to be getting the upper hand and she discovers her hatred of him is unfounded, she remains brave. Marvelous!
It is clear that much historical research was done for this book and the quality of it shines through. This is the best book I have read about the Elizabethan period. (even though the last half takes place in Algeria)
For those who enjoy an old fashioned melodrama, look no further.
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Title: Captain Blood by Rafael Sabatini, Gary Hoppenstand, Raphael Sabatini ISBN: 0142180106 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: December, 2002 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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Title: Scaramouche: A Romance of the French Revolution by Rafael Sabatini, Gary Hoppenstand ISBN: 0451527976 Publisher: Signet Pub. Date: 12 June, 2001 List Price(USD): $5.95 |
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Title: The Tavern Knight by Rafael Sabatini ISBN: 1587156601 Publisher: Wildside Pr Pub. Date: May, 2002 List Price(USD): $17.95 |
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Title: The Black Swan by Rafael Sabatini ISBN: 1568497210 Publisher: Buccaneer Books Pub. Date: January, 1999 List Price(USD): $29.95 |
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Title: Captain Blood Returns by Rafael Sabatini, Raphael Sabatini ISBN: 0891907424 Publisher: Amereon Ltd Pub. Date: March, 1978 List Price(USD): $23.95 |
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