The Uskok: A Tale of Love, Betrayal and Intrigue

by George Sand, Cheryl Robson, Lynne Forest (Translator)

256 pages, Paperback

Published June 10, 2026

About the author

Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin de Francueil, best known by her pen name George Sand, was a French novelist, memoirist and journalist. One of the most popular writers in Europe in her lifetime, being more renowned than either Victor Hugo or Honoré de Balzac in England in the 1830s and 1840s, Sand is recognised as one of the most notable writers of the European Romantic era. She wrote more than 50 volumes of various works to her credit, including tales, plays and political texts, alongside her 70 novels.
Like her great-grandmother, Louise Dupin, whom she admired, George Sand advocated for women's rights and passion, criticized the institution of marriage, and fought against the prejudices of a conservative society. She was considered scandalous because of her turbulent love life, her adoption of masculine clothing, and her masculine pseudonym.

Reviews

[Patrick Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am grateful for receiving a DRC of this new translation of George Sand's L'Uscoque, translated by Lynne Forest, from Aurora Metro Books via NetGalley.

Described by the publisher as a tale of 'love, betrayal and intrigue', this classic French novella follows the exploits of the young and handsome, yet ultimately unscrupulous, Venetian aristocrat Orio Soranzo. The story is set in the seventeenth-century Venetian Republic and amongst the islands of the Dalmatian Coast, where we see Orio squander and regain his fortune while he charms and manipulates those around him.

While this is my first foray into Sand's work, Lynne Forest's translation feels fresh and engaging, carrying the reader along on this fast-paced jaunt from the palaces of Venice to sea battles with pirates. Although The Uskok is a slim read at only 256 pages, it manages to pack a lot in with its exploration of themes of love, loyalty and revenge. Sand also cleverly frames the tale as a shocking yarn retold by three companions who each, in turn, pick up the story at various points throughout the book, almost as if we were listening to an adventure being recounted by a blazing fire on a long dark night.

The title of the book refers to real-life pirates that frequently attacked Ottoman and Venetian ships along the coast of what is now modern-day Croatia, which would lead you to believe this is just a story of swashbuckling sea exploits, a genre that's not really my cup of tea at all, yet the most intriguing sections of this book are its dark and Gothic depictions of Venice and the nobles that inhabit that enchanting city. Unsurprisingly, considering this was written in 1838, Sand plays with typical Orientalist tropes to add a certain 'exoticism' to some characters but this all fits within the romanticised depiction of the setting and the era. Sand likewise makes some humorous digs at Lord Byron, suggesting that the tale of the Uskok inspired him to write his idealised The Corsair and Sand's group of narrators purport to recount the real, and uncensored, story for the reader's delight.

A recommended read for any lovers of Gothic literature and the classics.

[Michael Cayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the lesser-known novels of the relatively neglected author George Sand (perhaps best known in the English-speaking world for her relationship with Chopin). Inspired by Byron, it is set in Venice, the Adriatic and the Ionian Sea in the late 17th century, it is a splendidly melodramatic tale of love, piracy, treason, betrayal and murder. The lead male character is an unprincipled villain who finds that his actions do not bring happiness and who finally gets his deserts in a showpiece trial. One of his accomplices is a cross-dressing Arab. The story carries the reader along with huge panache, helped by a superb translation. There are brief annotations to elucidate things which might not be clear to many readers.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me have a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Laila · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very entertaining read. I enjoyed the blend of romance, adventure, and political intrigue, which kept the story engaging from beginning to end. The historical setting added plenty of atmosphere, and the themes of love, loyalty, and redemption gave the story emotional depth.
While some aspects of the writing feel very much of their time, the characters and dramatic twists kept me invested. Overall, this was a captivating classic that delivered both adventure and heart, making it a highly enjoyable read.