Rafael Sabatini?

this forum seems becalmed, but perhaps i can raise the sweeps.

i am an avid fan of both Forester and O'Brian, with a minor in Kent. i have yet to venture into Pope, but intend to do so soon.

in the meantime i have been reading the Captian Blood series, which may arguably be the father of them all.
yes, they are more adventure than historical, but i find the writing and character development quite good. in fact i see them as far less (forgive me) juvenile than Bothitho. and yet 'Don Pedro Sangre' doesn't seem to get much respect amoung the Shot & Sail crowd.

so, is anyone else interested in Sabatini's contribution?

just curious.

(edited for lower deck spelling)

I read Captain Blood serveral years ago and only knowing it from the Errol Flynn movie was pleasantly surprized. I recently picked up a copy of Sea Hawk and have it on my short pile of TBR's.

That can be a problem when reading the old action/adventure authors like H. Rider Haggard, Edgar Rice Burroughs and Sabatini. Writing styles have changed and these were aimed at younger readers. But these books were the 'StarWars' and 'Star Trek' of their day and once we get passed the A-ha's and other (from our point of view) worn out Clique's they can be fun to read.

exactly, and well put.
these must be taken for what they are... action adventure with little substance. in that context they are delightful reads, and i found myself giggling all the way through. in fact while reading 'The Fortunes of Captain Blood' i was constantly in mind of Errol Flynn, a man born to play the part! it just wouldn't have worked as well with Lawrence Olivier or Richard Burton.

it might be a little while before i read another, but it made a good break between Forrester and Pope. one just has to keep them in context.