The Sea-Hawk

Rating:
Summary: Pirates, abductions and betrayal!
Review: 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:
Summary: No Superficial Linguistic Dust Here
Review: Having recently read several modern novels by contemporary authors, I was transported by THE SEA-HAWK back in time to an earlier style of writing and a distinctly different use of language. How many books, for instance, have you read lately that use the verb "trepan" very frequently? Didn't think so.

Having found modern authors' use of language to be pretty bland and, in a few instances, actually to violate grammatical convention, I was thrilled to encounter Sabatini's 1915 novel with its beautiful, effective use of the language. For a lad born and educated in Europe, Sabatini wrote in English with a felicity that usually eludes native-born American writers, and, dare I say, quite a few British authors, too. Thinking of the modern American authors I have read lately, I can say with pleasure that reading Sabatini is like taking a fresh, invigorating intellectual shower and thoroughly ridding oneself of the superficial linguistic dust lingering from their various works.

Of course, there is far more to THE SEA-HAWK than its sparkling use of language. Sir Oliver, or, to use his Muslim name, Sakr-el-Bhar, is a complex character who responds to his changing fortunes as a real person who wishes to survive and even prosper, yet who retains his dignity in the face of undeserved adversities that could have easily crushed a lesser man. The plot is truly gripping, and the reader eagerly pursues the story to learn what will befall Sir Oliver next and whether he can somehow extricate himself from this new quandary and perhaps even turn the situation to his advantage.

All is believable. The settings in which the plot unfolds are exotic but realistic. Though he knows it is fiction, the reader can easily accept the reality of the setting, the characters, and the action. While certain fortuitous coincidences do occur from time to time, no miraculous escapes or incredible rescues are foisted upon the hapless reader. Nothing untoward jars him from his vicarious participation in this great adventure.

Enjoy THE SEA-HAWK for its wonderful use of language. Enjoy it for the variety and depth of its characters. Enjoy it as a swashbuckling adventure on the high seas. (One simply cannot write about Sabatini without using the word "swashbuckling" at least once.) Enjoy it for the reality of its settings and events. There are critics who say that THE SEA-HAWK does not reach quite the same degree of excellence as do some of Sabatini's other novels, such as CAPTAIN BLOOD and SCARAMOUCHE. However, I beg to disagree with them. If you have enjoyed any of Sabatini's other novels, do not hesitate to read this one, for it is equally enjoyable. If you are coming to Sabatini for the first time, you will find THE SEA-HAWK to be a fascinating introduction to his work, and you will be as motivated as I to follow it with several of his other novels. Once begun, Sabatini is habit-forming!

Rating:
Summary: You will love this book if you like excitement!
Review: I am SO ANGRY that they put a picture of Errol Flynn in the movie the Sea Hawk on the cover of this book. The movie is nothing like the book. IT's like they stole the name and didn't use a single bit of anything else. Well, about the REAL book. This is the story of a wonderfully wicked and fascinating character who you won't know whether to love or be in horror of. But you will undoubtedly admire Sir Oliver a.k.a Sakr-al-bahr. Not only is he clever, witty, resourceful and funny, but sarcastic and arrogant as well, which makes for a delightfully rounded character. The girl he loves deserves to be loved, unlike most silly heroines. Rosanmunde has sense and honor. You will understand the terrible amoral brother Lionel even as you hate what he puts poor Sir oliver through. The whole story will have you cheering! The religious aspect of some of the conversations will intrigue you, the fighting will excite you, and for all the die-hard romantics, the melodrama will leave you sighing with happiness. A must read!

Rating:
Summary: Marvelous
Review: I hate to be another person to write a glowing review of "The Sea Hawk," but I can't help myself. Sabatini is one of my favorite authors, and this is one of my favorite books by him. It's the sweeping saga of an English gentleman's transformation into a Muslim pirate circa 1590, and its themes of family betrayal, religious revenge, and tormented love are worthy of a Verdi opera. Sir Oliver and Rosamond are familiar Sabatini character types, but I personally feel they have more depth and vitality here than, say, the leads in "Captain Blood."

"Hawk" does have a few problems though, shared by other books in the Sabatini canon. Like "Scaramouche," there's the slightly awkward three act structure. "Hawk" gets off to an exciting start, then bogs down a bit when it introduces the North African setting and the Muslim characters, and in Act 3 finally careens to a terrific and breathless finish. Also, as another reviewer pointed out, the Muslim characters, especially compared to their English counterparts, are not particularly convincing. In fact, their overly stilted and archaic dialogue bears an amusing resemblance to the historical speechifying satirized by Thackeray in his 1850 burlesque "Rebecca and Rowena." But all in all, these are minor complaints. "The Sea Hawk" is a ripping read by one of the 20th century's masters of historical fiction.

From beginning to end, "The Sea Hawk" is also irresistably cinematic, from the initial descriptions of Sir Oliver's mansion to the final shipboard embrace. However I don't expect that this will be remade into a movie any time soon, given today's political climate. I read this shortly after the Madrid bombings, and it was decidedly unsettling reading about a Western guy who converts to Islam and takes up a jihad against the wicked Spanish. Yes, times have certainly changed since "Hawk" was written in 1915. One wonders what Sabatini would make of John Walker Lindh...

Rating:
Summary: Marvelous
Review: I hate to be another person to write a glowing review of "The Sea Hawk," but I can't help myself. Sabatini is one of my favorite authors, and this is one of my favorite books by him. It's the sweeping saga of an English gentleman's transformation into a Muslim pirate circa 1590, and its themes of family betrayal, religious revenge, and tormented love are worthy of a Verdi opera. Sir Oliver and Rosamond are familiar Sabatini character types, but I personally feel they have more depth and vitality here than, say, the leads in "Captain Blood."

"Hawk" does have a few problems though, shared by other books in the Sabatini canon. Like "Scaramouche," there's the slightly awkward three act structure. "Hawk" gets off to an exciting start, then bogs down a bit when it introduces the North African setting and the Muslim characters, and in Act 3 finally careens to a terrific and breathless finish. Also, as another reviewer pointed out, the Muslim characters, especially compared to their English counterparts, are not particularly convincing. In fact, their overly stilted and archaic dialogue bears an amusing resemblance to the historical speechifying satirized by Thackeray in his 1850 burlesque "Rebecca and Rowena." But all in all, these are minor complaints. "The Sea Hawk" is a ripping read by one of the 20th century's masters of historical fiction.

From beginning to end, "The Sea Hawk" is also irresistably cinematic, from the initial descriptions of Sir Oliver's mansion to the final shipboard embrace. However I don't expect that this will be remade into a movie any time soon, given today's political climate. I read this shortly after the Madrid bombings, and it was decidedly unsettling reading about a Western guy who converts to Islam and takes up a jihad against the wicked Spanish. Yes, times have certainly changed since "Hawk" was written in 1915. One wonders what Sabatini would make of John Walker Lindh...

Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down...
Review: 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:
Summary: Couldn't put it down...
Review: 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:
Summary: Adventure and Romance
Review: The Sea Hawk is one of the best books I have read. I agree with a previous review that you cannot decide whether to love or hate Sir Oliver. He is an ignoble character with a soft side for love, yet so strong willed he does not show it easily. This is a fine classic!

Rating:
Summary: One of my favorites revisited
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: If only you were allowed to give 6 stars.
Review: This is another don't-read-unless-you-have-no-social-life books. It will grab you by the throat and drag you into the adventures of Sir Oliver, the Cornish knight turned barbary corsair and his firecracker of a girlfriend, Rosamund.

This is historic melodrama at its absolute best. The villains are sympathetic but not so sympathetic that you want them to win. As a character Sir Oliver is an amazing creation. His idea of warfare is to be nastier than his opponents.

Oh, and do not read in a public place, you will find yourself exclaiming "BUT HE DIDN'T KILL HIM!" "DON'T BURN THE LETTER!" "PLEASE, ROSAMUND, SEE THE LIGHT!"

That kinda thing. Loverly book, a must for any action/romance/classic junkie