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The Black Swan
When Priscilla Harradine travels back to England accompanied by the rather dull Major Sands, she has no cause to expect her journey will be anything other than uneventful. But also on board the Centaur is Charles de Bernis - a mysterious and intriguing buccaneer. Just as their friendship is beginning to blossom, a dark figure from de Bernis' past emerges to propel them into a thrilling and perilous adventure, taking them right to the heart of pirate life.
311 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1931
43 people are currently reading
983 people want to read
About the author
Rafael Sabatini
692 books539 followersRafael Sabatini (1875 - 1950) was an Italian/British writer of novels of romance and adventure. At a young age, Rafael was exposed to many languages. By the time he was seventeen, he was the master of five languages. He quickly added a sixth language - English - to his linguistic collection. After a brief stint in the business world, Sabatini went to work as a writer. He wrote short stories in the 1890s, and his first novel came out in 1902. Sabatini was a prolific writer; he produced a new book approximately every year. He consciously chose to write in his adopted language, because, he said, "all the best stories are written in English. " In all, he produced thirty one novels, eight short story collections, six nonfiction books, numerous uncollected short stories, and a play. He is best known for his world-wide bestsellers: The Sea Hawk (1915), Scaramouche (1921), Captain Blood (1922) and Bellarion the Fortunate (1926). Other famous works by Sabatini are The Lion's Skin (1911), The Strolling Saint (1913) and The Snare (1917).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
September 13, 2023
Rereading is just as delightful as the first time around. Original review below.
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This hit the spot for swashbuckling adventure. To be fair, that's what we expect from Rafael Sabatini. Wanting a break from thinking and chaos and the real world, I borrowed the movie from the library and we were delighted with the old pirate adventure featuring Tyrone Power and Maureen O'Hara. Sparks flew. Swashbuckling and preening. And so forth.
This book has the basic elements they mined for the film but with much more complexity. Very little of it involved sailing for which I was duly thankful. The interest lies in watching Monsieur de Bargis nimbly navigate minefields in dealing with pirates, officious boors, and everyone who keeps threatening bodily injury and death to the small group of people he is trying to save under very trying circumstances. One of which is the aforementioned boor who we love to hate. Of course, there is a love interest but it is handled in the most delicate way which was most enjoyable to watch unfold.
Free on the Kindle. Definitely recommended.
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This hit the spot for swashbuckling adventure. To be fair, that's what we expect from Rafael Sabatini. Wanting a break from thinking and chaos and the real world, I borrowed the movie from the library and we were delighted with the old pirate adventure featuring Tyrone Power and Maureen O'Hara. Sparks flew. Swashbuckling and preening. And so forth.
This book has the basic elements they mined for the film but with much more complexity. Very little of it involved sailing for which I was duly thankful. The interest lies in watching Monsieur de Bargis nimbly navigate minefields in dealing with pirates, officious boors, and everyone who keeps threatening bodily injury and death to the small group of people he is trying to save under very trying circumstances. One of which is the aforementioned boor who we love to hate. Of course, there is a love interest but it is handled in the most delicate way which was most enjoyable to watch unfold.
Free on the Kindle. Definitely recommended.
March 13, 2012
Ahhh...the good old days when women won the hearts of men with femininity and brains (not half naked bodies and slutty come-ons). Life was just as real, intense and dangerous or more so. I love reading books that have wonderful characters and great story lines. Wish there was more of these "old-fashioned" stories being written in contemporary novels.
October 30, 2023
দারুণ অ্যাডভেঞ্চারের একটা বই!
সাগর, জলদস্যু, জাহাজ– অনেকদিন যাবত এগুলো নিয়ে পড়া হয়নি। তাই বিখ্যাত ক্ল্যাসিকটি পড়তে শুরু করি। কোনদিকে যে বই শেষ হয়ে গেল, টেরই পেলাম না...
চার্লস দো বাখনির তীক্ষ্ণ বুদ্ধি, শান্ত প্রিসিলার নীরব ভালোবাসা, স্যাণ্ডসের মাথামোটা ভাবনা আর টম লীচের দস্যুগিরি– এসব তো উপভোগ্য ছিলই, আর কাহিনির পরিসর আরো বেশি ভালো লেগেছে। টেনে লম্বা করা হয়েছে, এমনটা কোথাও মনে হয়নি। ছিমছাম, একই সাথে মোহনীয় রোমাঞ্চকর।
সাগর, জলদস্যু, জাহাজ– অনেকদিন যাবত এগুলো নিয়ে পড়া হয়নি। তাই বিখ্যাত ক্ল্যাসিকটি পড়তে শুরু করি। কোনদিকে যে বই শেষ হয়ে গেল, টেরই পেলাম না...
চার্লস দো বাখনির তীক্ষ্ণ বুদ্ধি, শান্ত প্রিসিলার নীরব ভালোবাসা, স্যাণ্ডসের মাথামোটা ভাবনা আর টম লীচের দস্যুগিরি– এসব তো উপভোগ্য ছিলই, আর কাহিনির পরিসর আরো বেশি ভালো লেগেছে। টেনে লম্বা করা হয়েছে, এমনটা কোথাও মনে হয়নি। ছিমছাম, একই সাথে মোহনীয় রোমাঞ্চকর।
May 30, 2022
One beautiful young English maiden and 300 pirates on a ship. What could go wrong??
First published in 1931 and about 10 years later made into an Academy Award-winning movie with Tyrone Power and Maureen O’Hara, this was a popular book and movie during times that needed a good, old-fashioned plot and characters.
Taking place about 1680 at the end of Caribbean privateering, the story places pristine, blond, skin-whiter-than-the-driven-snow Miss Priscilla Harradine (Harradine??) and a sort-of guardian, Major Sands, ready to return to mother England from their Caribbean home on a small ship, the Centaur. A short stop is made before the long leg of the journey and a gracious, too-gracious really, mysterious Frenchman boards their ship and joins them. After several days at sea they are overtaken by the infamous pirate Tom Leach, captain of the dreaded ship, The Black Swan (a phrase later to gain credence in geopolitics and investing). Her crew board, make short work of, the Centaur crew then find our threesome still alive.
Leach is ready to dispose of the two male prisoners, but one is an old adversary – the Frenchman, Charles de Bernis, Captain Henry Morgan’s former lieutenant during pirate days. De Bernis buys time by telling Leach of a Spanish fleet bearing a fantastic load of gold and convinces Leach to careen the Swan to make her sea-worthy in pursuit of the Spanish fleet but refuses to disclose the best location for an ambush. The plot proceeds from there.
The book has everything – swashbuckling adventure, bloody pirates, competition for the hand of fair maiden, lots of seaman’s terms for naval parts and actions, and lots of other words requiring research into meanings, especially around a 1680 pirate ship. If the conclusion seems pretty expected, how we get there isn’t. This is an old-fashioned adventurous novel, like comfort food during troubled times. It was a wonderful respite from our world of today. And author Sabatini wrote many other books if you liked this one.
First published in 1931 and about 10 years later made into an Academy Award-winning movie with Tyrone Power and Maureen O’Hara, this was a popular book and movie during times that needed a good, old-fashioned plot and characters.
Taking place about 1680 at the end of Caribbean privateering, the story places pristine, blond, skin-whiter-than-the-driven-snow Miss Priscilla Harradine (Harradine??) and a sort-of guardian, Major Sands, ready to return to mother England from their Caribbean home on a small ship, the Centaur. A short stop is made before the long leg of the journey and a gracious, too-gracious really, mysterious Frenchman boards their ship and joins them. After several days at sea they are overtaken by the infamous pirate Tom Leach, captain of the dreaded ship, The Black Swan (a phrase later to gain credence in geopolitics and investing). Her crew board, make short work of, the Centaur crew then find our threesome still alive.
Leach is ready to dispose of the two male prisoners, but one is an old adversary – the Frenchman, Charles de Bernis, Captain Henry Morgan’s former lieutenant during pirate days. De Bernis buys time by telling Leach of a Spanish fleet bearing a fantastic load of gold and convinces Leach to careen the Swan to make her sea-worthy in pursuit of the Spanish fleet but refuses to disclose the best location for an ambush. The plot proceeds from there.
The book has everything – swashbuckling adventure, bloody pirates, competition for the hand of fair maiden, lots of seaman’s terms for naval parts and actions, and lots of other words requiring research into meanings, especially around a 1680 pirate ship. If the conclusion seems pretty expected, how we get there isn’t. This is an old-fashioned adventurous novel, like comfort food during troubled times. It was a wonderful respite from our world of today. And author Sabatini wrote many other books if you liked this one.
August 24, 2011
When Priscilla Harradine meets buccaneer Charles de Bernis on the ship that's carrying her back to England, the appearance of a notorious pirate puts her safety entirely in the hands of her new acquaintance.
There are some well-described fights, but the tension in this one comes as much from the suspense and uncertainty of the situation as from typical pirate story action. Sabatini achieves this by giving us more pages from the heroine's point of view than many of his other books include, and even when we're in Charles's head, we're not fully in his confidence. His goal became apparent early on, but the steps in his plan were a slower reveal and that kept things interesting.
As usual, all the main characters here over the top. Charles is rougish and bold and great at everything, and Priscilla is open-minded and loyal and brave. It was nice to see one of Sabatini's female leads fleshed out more than usual, even if she winds up as unrealistic as most of Sabatini's men. The point of these books, after all, is larger than life characters being awesome in cool historical settings, and on those terms, The Black Swan delivers.
There are some well-described fights, but the tension in this one comes as much from the suspense and uncertainty of the situation as from typical pirate story action. Sabatini achieves this by giving us more pages from the heroine's point of view than many of his other books include, and even when we're in Charles's head, we're not fully in his confidence. His goal became apparent early on, but the steps in his plan were a slower reveal and that kept things interesting.
As usual, all the main characters here over the top. Charles is rougish and bold and great at everything, and Priscilla is open-minded and loyal and brave. It was nice to see one of Sabatini's female leads fleshed out more than usual, even if she winds up as unrealistic as most of Sabatini's men. The point of these books, after all, is larger than life characters being awesome in cool historical settings, and on those terms, The Black Swan delivers.
July 24, 2017
কি নেই এই বইটাতে! সুন্দরী তরুণী প্রিসিলা, বহু গুণে গুণান্বিত যুবক দো বাখনি, অদ্ভুত মানসিকতার মেজর স্যান্ডস, সকল খারাপের সঙ্গী দস্যু টম লীচ, রহস্যময়ি জাহাজ ব্ল্যাক সোয়ান, পদে পদে খুন খারাপি, স্বর্ণে ভরপুর জাহাজ আর আছে পাতায় পাতায় রোমাঞ্চ!
January 19, 2015
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2017
Fun summer read. Everyone likes a good pirate story. A little predictable. Ok, a lot predictable. But still fun.
August 5, 2016
I am not an aficionado of pirate lore, and beyond the Robert Louis Stevenson classics I have not delved into this genre much at all. However, I do enjoy historical fiction and adventure, and pirates fit the bill on both counts. So, for no particular reason beyond that, I decided to read The Black Swan. This is my first encounter with Rafael Sabatini, who I know is a much respected author of many other classics of adventure.
If you are looking for an over the top, roller coaster ride of pirate exploits, The Black Swan is not that book. For that check out Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton – great fun, but not exactly a plausible portrayal of 17th century piracy in the West Indies. Instead, the Black Swan is a more character-driven story that unfolds at a slower, seemingly more realistic, pace.
The story concerns the return to England of Priscilla Harradine, the daughter of the recently deceased governor of the Leeward Islands in the West Indies, and his second-in-command, Major Bartholomew Sands. Major Sands has designs on marrying Miss Harradine and living out the remainder of his life in comfort off of her inheritance. A late arriving passenger on their ship, the Centaur, is the former buccaneer Charles de Bernis, who is on a mission of some dubiousness. The two will unwittingly become ensnarled in his plans and be brought into the heart of pirate life.
Much of the story takes place on a small uninhabited island, following one minor battle at sea. The pirate ship of the book’s namesake encounters the Centaur and means to raid it. However, the gun battle between the ships is virtually non-existent, and the swordplay and resulting deaths during the takeover of the Centaur by the pirates is barely alluded to. In fact, there is very little bloodshed in this novel at all, and only one instance is described in the present tense with any level of detail. I don’t mention this as a complaint, as graphic depiction of violence and death is not necessary for this story, and would have, I feel, worked against it.
This is as much a story of romance as it is a story of pirates, but the romance is never directly depicted in the narrative. Instead, you see it indirectly develop as the events of the story play out. There is a complete dichotomy between the characters of Charles de Bernis and Major Sands. De Bernis is the quintessential embodiment of the romanticized pirate, courageous and debonair but also dangerous, while Sands proves to be a selfish, pompous oaf who embarrasses himself at every turn in front of the lady he intends to make his wife. Therefore, it is no surprise who is involved in the developing romance.
The Black Swan is beautifully written in a style that just doesn’t seem to exist in modern literature anymore. If you are at all like me you will want to have a dictionary handy, as you will encounter vocabulary that is just no longer in use. This isn’t to say that this is a daunting read that makes you feel like you need a degree in English to even attempt it. But it does provide an example of how our use of the English language has changed over the last 80+ years since this novel was written. You will also learn many new creative ways to verbally insult those that offend you! Should you so choose, of course. All in all, The Black Swan is a very enjoyable story.
If you are looking for an over the top, roller coaster ride of pirate exploits, The Black Swan is not that book. For that check out Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton – great fun, but not exactly a plausible portrayal of 17th century piracy in the West Indies. Instead, the Black Swan is a more character-driven story that unfolds at a slower, seemingly more realistic, pace.
The story concerns the return to England of Priscilla Harradine, the daughter of the recently deceased governor of the Leeward Islands in the West Indies, and his second-in-command, Major Bartholomew Sands. Major Sands has designs on marrying Miss Harradine and living out the remainder of his life in comfort off of her inheritance. A late arriving passenger on their ship, the Centaur, is the former buccaneer Charles de Bernis, who is on a mission of some dubiousness. The two will unwittingly become ensnarled in his plans and be brought into the heart of pirate life.
Much of the story takes place on a small uninhabited island, following one minor battle at sea. The pirate ship of the book’s namesake encounters the Centaur and means to raid it. However, the gun battle between the ships is virtually non-existent, and the swordplay and resulting deaths during the takeover of the Centaur by the pirates is barely alluded to. In fact, there is very little bloodshed in this novel at all, and only one instance is described in the present tense with any level of detail. I don’t mention this as a complaint, as graphic depiction of violence and death is not necessary for this story, and would have, I feel, worked against it.
This is as much a story of romance as it is a story of pirates, but the romance is never directly depicted in the narrative. Instead, you see it indirectly develop as the events of the story play out. There is a complete dichotomy between the characters of Charles de Bernis and Major Sands. De Bernis is the quintessential embodiment of the romanticized pirate, courageous and debonair but also dangerous, while Sands proves to be a selfish, pompous oaf who embarrasses himself at every turn in front of the lady he intends to make his wife. Therefore, it is no surprise who is involved in the developing romance.
The Black Swan is beautifully written in a style that just doesn’t seem to exist in modern literature anymore. If you are at all like me you will want to have a dictionary handy, as you will encounter vocabulary that is just no longer in use. This isn’t to say that this is a daunting read that makes you feel like you need a degree in English to even attempt it. But it does provide an example of how our use of the English language has changed over the last 80+ years since this novel was written. You will also learn many new creative ways to verbally insult those that offend you! Should you so choose, of course. All in all, The Black Swan is a very enjoyable story.
January 21, 2025
This is the first book of Rafael Sabatini I read and thoroughly enjoyed it. I couldn't put it down. I love it when characters are so well written that you can picture them so clearly in your mind.
September 12, 2024
Любов а не книжка!
July 18, 2018
গল্পের সময়টা জলদস্যুতার সূর্য অস্ত যাবার পথে। বৃটিশ সরকার মরগানের সাথে হাত মিলিতে সকল দস্যুদের নিকেষ করলেও লীচ বাকি থেকে যা��়। ওই সময়ের গল্প এটি। গল্পের নায়ক ফরাসী যুবক দো বাখনি। এক দুর্দান্ত, দুঃসাহসী ফরাসী যুবক। যেমন তীক্ষ্ণ বুদ্ধি, তেমনি আকর্ষণীয় চেহারা। ���্যার হেনরী মরগানের সবচেয়ে প্রিয় সহকারীদের একজন। তবে সে কিনা মরগানের দল ছেড়ে দিয়ে ইউরোপে ফেরত চলছে বাকি জীবনটা শান্তিতে পার করে দেওয়ার ইচ্ছেয়। অন্তত সে তাই বলছে জাহাজে উঠে সবাইকে।
প্রিসিলা। বাবা অঢেল সম্পদ রেখে মারা যাওয়ার পর সেও ফিরছে ইংল্যান্ডে। জাহাজে দেখা হয়ে যায় দো বাখানির সাথে। মানুষটা আকর্ষন করে তাকে।
এমনই সময়ে লীচ আক্রমন করে তাদের জাহাজকে। ক্যাপ্টেনের নির্বুদ্ধিতার কারনে ধরা পড়ে যায় তারা লীচের জাহাজ ব্ল্যাক সোয়ানের হাতে।
দো বাখানী প্রিসিলাকে বাচাতে এগিয়ে আসে। কিন্তু সে কি পারবে নিষ্ঠুর, লোভী আর ধূর্ত লীচের হাত থেকে প্রিসিলা আর নিজেকে বাচাতে?
পাঠপ্রতিক্রিয়াঃ রাফায়েল সাবাতানির পড়া এটা আমার প্রথম বই, পড়ে যা বুঝলাম এটা শেষ নয়।
প্রিসিলা। বাবা অঢেল সম্পদ রেখে মারা যাওয়ার পর সেও ফিরছে ইংল্যান্ডে। জাহাজে দেখা হয়ে যায় দো বাখানির সাথে। মানুষটা আকর্ষন করে তাকে।
এমনই সময়ে লীচ আক্রমন করে তাদের জাহাজকে। ক্যাপ্টেনের নির্বুদ্ধিতার কারনে ধরা পড়ে যায় তারা লীচের জাহাজ ব্ল্যাক সোয়ানের হাতে।
দো বাখানী প্রিসিলাকে বাচাতে এগিয়ে আসে। কিন্তু সে কি পারবে নিষ্ঠুর, লোভী আর ধূর্ত লীচের হাত থেকে প্রিসিলা আর নিজেকে বাচাতে?
পাঠপ্রতিক্রিয়াঃ রাফায়েল সাবাতানির পড়া এটা আমার প্রথম বই, পড়ে যা বুঝলাম এটা শেষ নয়।
May 27, 2017
দো বাখনিতে মুগ্ধ! ^_^
November 4, 2025
Bro is the Michael Jordan of pirate fiction
February 18, 2016
An Rafael Sabatinis Piratenroman "Captain Blood" schafft es "Der schwarze Schwan" bei weitem nicht heran. Leider! Es fehlt dem Roman einfach an Spritzigkeit und Würze. Die Handlung bleibt gerade einmal so spannend, dass man weiterliest, obwohl die Charaktere - egal ob Piratenkapitän Tom Leach, sein Gegenspieler Charles de Bernis, Major Sand oder Miss Priscilla Harradine - fad und irgendwie gekünstelt wirken. Dadurch die Hauptakteure den größten Teil der Geschichte auf der Insel Matilda verbringen, fehlt dem Ganzen noch zusätzlich ein mitreißendes Maß an Bewegung. Die Kampfhandlungen beschränken sich auf das einmalige Entern und einem interessanten Fecht-Duell. Ansonsten lebt die Handlung allein vom psychologischen Kalkül de Bernis'. - Nachdem ich "Captain Blood" mit so viel Begeisterung verschlungen habe, enttäuscht mich eher dieses seiner Werke. (Anmerkung: Die Angaben beziehen sich auf die Unionsverlag-Ausgabe von 2011.)
November 21, 2011
I decided to read this after watching The Black Swan (Tyrone Powers - pirates not Natalie Portman and tutus). Both the movie and book were very good but, had little in common beyond a boat named The Black Swan, a evil Captain Leach, a girl, a charming French pirate, and a floppish Englishman. This suprised me at first but, then I settled down and enjoyed the story.
One of the charms of the book is the heroine is one of Sabatini's stronger heroines. Akin more to the heroine of Scaramouch and The Lion's Skin. The hero is as dashing and noble as always. There is also more interplay between Leach and the hero than there was in the movie. The book is not as funny as the movie though. Still, it is a good read for Sabatini fans. If I could I would rate it three and a half stars. Not haveing that choice and being a big Sabtini fans I opted for four stars.
One of the charms of the book is the heroine is one of Sabatini's stronger heroines. Akin more to the heroine of Scaramouch and The Lion's Skin. The hero is as dashing and noble as always. There is also more interplay between Leach and the hero than there was in the movie. The book is not as funny as the movie though. Still, it is a good read for Sabatini fans. If I could I would rate it three and a half stars. Not haveing that choice and being a big Sabtini fans I opted for four stars.
December 24, 2015
Well, "The Black Swan" has all the strengths of a typical Sabatini novel...suave, sardonic hero and feisty, forthright heroine...enough buffoons and villains to act as foils...decently-paced and inventive plot...and great language (English was, like, Sabatini's 6th or 7th language, man, and he's STILL more at home in it than most of us native-born speakers. I'm telling ya, it just ain't fair).
That being said, "The Black Swan" is no "Captain Blood," but it tries to be, down to the pirates and the Jamaican setting, bless the dear creature! And I honor the attempt. Besides, who can resist a hero who,
That being said, "The Black Swan" is no "Captain Blood," but it tries to be, down to the pirates and the Jamaican setting, bless the dear creature! And I honor the attempt. Besides, who can resist a hero who,
July 10, 2010
The usual level of entertainment from Sabatini, this time as a buccaneer schemes how to keep a governor's daughter out of the clutches of a pirate (yes, there's a difference). Less in the way of involved intrigue or even high-octane action, since for much of the story they're all hanging out on an island in purported alliance. Still fun if you like your good and evil monochrome and your characters much much in archetype.
May 19, 2023
A very simple pirate adventure. There are no subplots, and the characters don't evolve. It felt almost like a play: one hero, one lady, one annoying side character there to make the hero look good, and one villain. All of the other characters are just bit parts that come and go. It would be a light read if it wasn't so heavily laden with archaic and uncommon words (...which may actually be my favorite feature of the book!). Overall, I'd recommend it to a friend. It's a fun read.
May 16, 2020
Book vs Movie
I found this delightful, old fashioned book after watching the 1942 version of The Black Swan, and realizing it was based on a book. The two really don’t have much in common... but I loved the chivalry and swashbuckling adventures in this story. Priscilla and Charles were perfect. Great story.
I found this delightful, old fashioned book after watching the 1942 version of The Black Swan, and realizing it was based on a book. The two really don’t have much in common... but I loved the chivalry and swashbuckling adventures in this story. Priscilla and Charles were perfect. Great story.
May 7, 2011
I'm such a sucker for classic, strong, clever masculine heroes paired with intelligent heroines. :)
September 23, 2011
Good. Not great. There are elements of Captain Blood in here but The Black Swan almost felt like a short story extended to novel length.
January 27, 2016
I enjoyed this story but it wasn't as good as some of his others. Read Captain Blood or Scaramouche first.
March 23, 2019
Einfach 1 gute Geschichte.
August 19, 2022
As a girl, my dad has fond memories of me demanding to watch 'The Sea Hawk'. I loved it so dearly. Little did I know at the time it was based off a book and it wasn't quite true to said book. I also knew of this film as well, but was surprised to find out that the film adaptation of this was adapted well off the book. It took the bare plot and spiced it up and changed the character's personalities and agendas.
I have never seen The Black Swan film. (I'll probably watch it soon.)
Having read this book, I am thirsty for more Sabatini. People called him the Dumas of the 1900's. I think that is fair. I'd also say that he reminds me a bit of Austen in some ways, could be because of his British heritage. But truly, I was so done in by this book that I grabbed Captain Blood to start next.
Charles de Bernis. *chef kiss* He is one heck of a leading guy. From his entrance on the ship, he was a mysterious character. Sabatini holds back information so that you're on the same level as Priscilla Harradine. She is taken aback by him, being a known pirate, but there is a kindness and an almost hidden story to his agenda on their ship. He is also like Sherlock Holmes of the seas. He is always a step ahead of the game and when he isn't he comes up with detours. He is also a gentleman and someone who would gladly stand-up against any man who is assaulting a lady.
The story is told in an a easy, flowing nature that you just feel like you're watching a movie. You can picture the water, the beach, and the clothing everyone wears to your own imagination. The sword fighting scene at the end between Charles and Capt. Leach was done so well that I could picture each parry and thrust. I was on the edge of my seat.
It may be an easy read for some, or like me it will take you two days to get through. If you're up for a pirate story that has no supernatural angles, characters with interesting depth, and a romance that is slow and well earned, this is a book to read. If you are new to Sabatini, I'd say jump into this or (like some of his fans recommend) try Captain Blood.
I have never seen The Black Swan film. (I'll probably watch it soon.)
Having read this book, I am thirsty for more Sabatini. People called him the Dumas of the 1900's. I think that is fair. I'd also say that he reminds me a bit of Austen in some ways, could be because of his British heritage. But truly, I was so done in by this book that I grabbed Captain Blood to start next.
Charles de Bernis. *chef kiss* He is one heck of a leading guy. From his entrance on the ship, he was a mysterious character. Sabatini holds back information so that you're on the same level as Priscilla Harradine. She is taken aback by him, being a known pirate, but there is a kindness and an almost hidden story to his agenda on their ship. He is also like Sherlock Holmes of the seas. He is always a step ahead of the game and when he isn't he comes up with detours. He is also a gentleman and someone who would gladly stand-up against any man who is assaulting a lady.
The story is told in an a easy, flowing nature that you just feel like you're watching a movie. You can picture the water, the beach, and the clothing everyone wears to your own imagination. The sword fighting scene at the end between Charles and Capt. Leach was done so well that I could picture each parry and thrust. I was on the edge of my seat.
It may be an easy read for some, or like me it will take you two days to get through. If you're up for a pirate story that has no supernatural angles, characters with interesting depth, and a romance that is slow and well earned, this is a book to read. If you are new to Sabatini, I'd say jump into this or (like some of his fans recommend) try Captain Blood.
August 30, 2022
This is a lovely book. This is the second Sabbatini I have read outside the big three (Scaramouche, Captain Blood & the Seahawk) and I rate it just below those. The Hollywood movie starring Tyrone Power & Maureen O’Hara has barely any resemblance to this book apart from the premise. This book has so much more complexity & depth and it’s a shame this could not be included in the film.
The romance is just a subplot in this swashbuckling drama, but I love the way I gradually unfurls. The heroine is just the latest in a line of strong women who know their minds and go their way in Sabatini’s books.
Another strength of Sabatini’s books are his strong characterisations. It really makes for a wonderfully textured story. A pirate may be a pirate, but there are no stereotypical pirates among the key characters in this book.
This is a Sabatini to be read, savoured and enjoyed.
The romance is just a subplot in this swashbuckling drama, but I love the way I gradually unfurls. The heroine is just the latest in a line of strong women who know their minds and go their way in Sabatini’s books.
Another strength of Sabatini’s books are his strong characterisations. It really makes for a wonderfully textured story. A pirate may be a pirate, but there are no stereotypical pirates among the key characters in this book.
This is a Sabatini to be read, savoured and enjoyed.
November 9, 2025
Якщо ви любите класичні піратські пригоди, прочитайте його! Або «Піратів» Віктора Губарева 😁
До українського перекладу «Лебедя» питань немає, пан Віктор зробив чудові виноски, які я собі занотувала🫡
Приблизно половину роману персонажі проводять на острові, зʼясовуючи стосунки. Це доволі цікаво, навіть майже зґвалтування є!!! Але від піратського роману хочеться більше дій. Персонажі тут доволі типові: злодій, неперевершений дядько, дурник, який всіх задрав, і дівчина в біді.
В кінці є поворот, який мав би бути неочікуваним… але😁
Якщо любите класичні романи, трохи театральні, без особливої жорстокості - читайте) підійдуть підліткам, як приклад хороших старих піратських пригод🤌
До українського перекладу «Лебедя» питань немає, пан Віктор зробив чудові виноски, які я собі занотувала🫡
Приблизно половину роману персонажі проводять на острові, зʼясовуючи стосунки. Це доволі цікаво, навіть майже зґвалтування є!!! Але від піратського роману хочеться більше дій. Персонажі тут доволі типові: злодій, неперевершений дядько, дурник, який всіх задрав, і дівчина в біді.
В кінці є поворот, який мав би бути неочікуваним… але😁
Якщо любите класичні романи, трохи театральні, без особливої жорстокості - читайте) підійдуть підліткам, як приклад хороших старих піратських пригод🤌
September 28, 2022
Позакъснял съм с тази книга, ако я бях прочел преди 30 години, щях сигурно много да я харесам. Класически приключенски роман с пирати, девойка в беда и една невъзможна любов. Като цяло наивен, нещо характерно за жанра в периода когато е писана книгата, но доста по-четаем от много други неща от същото време.
June 13, 2023
Perhaps really only 3.5☆ but I do love the romance and adventure of a good pirate tale ;)
Not quite as good as Sabatini's classic Captain Blood but the romantic aspect was better.
Not quite as good as Sabatini's classic Captain Blood but the romantic aspect was better.
August 27, 2023
I think this might be my favorite Sabatini yet. Really great characterizations and interesting plot, although maybe not quite as intricate as his better known works. Unfortunately, the 1942 movie version with Tyrone Power and Maureen O'Hara and has very little to do with the book—what a missed opportunity.
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