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দ্� সি-হক
�-কাহিনি� নায়� সা� অলিভার ট্রেসিলিয়ান... টগবগ� তরুণ, বী� নাইট, অভিজাত এক পরিবারের শে� সন্তান� সৎ ভাইয়ে� ষড়যন্ত্রে সবকিছু হারা� ও। অভিযুক্ত হল� মিথ্যে খুনে� দায়�, ভু� বুঝে দূরে সর� গে� তা� প্রেমিকা, হল� অপহৃ�, কপাল� জুটল ক্রীতদাসের মানবেত� জীবন তারপ�? সময়ের পরিক্রমায় এব� নিয়তি� অমোঘ লিখন� সে-� পরিণ� হল� ভয়ঙ্ক� এক জলদস্য�... সি-হক, মানে সাগরের বাজপাখিত� - যা� না� শুনে কেঁপ� ওঠ� সা� সমুদ্র আর তেরো নদী� মানুষ। শুরু হল� প্রতিশোধের পালা�
রাফায়েল সাবাতিনি� সবচেয়� বিখ্যা� উপন্যাস। প্রে�, প্রতিহিংসা আর সংগ্রামে� এক অতুলনীয় উপাখ্যান� মুগ্ধতার শতভা� নিশ্চয়তা।
রাফায়েল সাবাতিনি� সবচেয়� বিখ্যা� উপন্যাস। প্রে�, প্রতিহিংসা আর সংগ্রামে� এক অতুলনীয় উপাখ্যান� মুগ্ধতার শতভা� নিশ্চয়তা।
432 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1915
211 people are currently reading
3,307 people want to read
About the author
Rafael Sabatini
534books519followersRafael 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 249 reviews
April 5, 2010
Rafael Sabatini! Oh, this generation doesn't even KNOW. This is a classic swashbuckling novel by the author of Captain Blood, and it is deliciously over the top. Handsome, powerful Oliver Tressilian, in love with the fair Rosamund, is working to overcome the opposition that Rosamund's sleazy brother and guardian are posing to their marriage. R's brother Peter provokes Oliver into public threats, but Oliver controls himself for love of his fair one; alas, Oliver's weasly brother Lionel kills Peter in a fight over the slut they both are hooking up with. Oliver (because he is THAT GUY) shoulders the blame to protect poor lil Lionel. But Lionel is afraid Oliver will break down and tell, so he has him kidnapped! And sold into slavery! And Oliver, crushed and betrayed, becomes Sakr el-Bahr, the Sea Hawk, scourge of the sea. AND THEN THEY ALL MEET UP AGAIN - Lionel, Oliver, and Rosamund. Oh yeah.
*sighs* You know you want to read it. Don't let your sophistication get in the way.
*sighs* You know you want to read it. Don't let your sophistication get in the way.
February 21, 2024
শ্রেষ্� একটা থ্রিলা� পড়া� মত� আনন্� পেয়েছি। প্রতিট� পৃষ্ঠা তারিয়� তারিয়� উপভো� করেছ�; এজন্� অনুবাদকে� কৃতিত্� শতভাগ। নির্দিষ্� জনরায় ফেলা যায় না, এম� বইগুলো পড়ত� খুবই ভালো লাগে� ‘দ্য ব্রেদরেন�-এর কথ� মন� পড়ে যায়� সেখানে� দু� ভাইয়ে� এক নারীকে নিয়� মনস্তাত্ত্বি� দ্বন্দ্ব ছিল। কাকতালীয়ভাবে দু� নারী� নামও একই� রোজামুণ্ড। তব� দুটোতে অবশ্যই দু� ধরনে� চম� আছে।
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সি-হক মানে সমুদ্রের বাজপাখি। না, সত্যিকারের পাখি না� বর� এই বাজপাখ� একজন শক্তিশালী মানুষ� হিংস্র-দয়ালু, তেজী-নমনীয়, বিদ্রোহী-অনুগ� এম� সব বিপরীতমুখী বৈশিষ্ট্� যা� মাঝে আছ�; খ্রিষ্টা� থেকে যে কিনা ধর্মপ্রা� মুসলমা� জলদস্য� হিসেবে নিজেকে শীর্ষে তোলে� হয়ে ওঠ� আলজিয়ার্সের অধিপতি আসাদ-আদ-দীনে� বিশ্বস্ত সেনাপতি। কীভাবে অবস্থা� এম� পরিবর্তন হল�? কে� এককালে� সম্ভ্রান্ত যুবক দস্যুতার মত� নী� পেশা বেছে নিবে� উত্ত� খুঁজতে হব� বইয়ে।
বইয়ের কাহিনি সম্পর্কে খু� বেশি কিছু বলতে ইচ্ছ� কর� না� রিভি� বা পা� প্রতিক্রিয়া পড়ে� ভেতরের সবটা সবাই জেনে যাক� এট� চা� না!! শুধু এটুক� বল�, অনেক� জনরা� মিশেলে� স্বা� চাখা� জন্য �-ধরনে� বইগুলো চমৎকার; আর নিঃসন্দেহে দ্� সি-হক উপরে� দিকে� থাকবে।
▪️▪️▪️
সি-হক মানে সমুদ্রের বাজপাখি। না, সত্যিকারের পাখি না� বর� এই বাজপাখ� একজন শক্তিশালী মানুষ� হিংস্র-দয়ালু, তেজী-নমনীয়, বিদ্রোহী-অনুগ� এম� সব বিপরীতমুখী বৈশিষ্ট্� যা� মাঝে আছ�; খ্রিষ্টা� থেকে যে কিনা ধর্মপ্রা� মুসলমা� জলদস্য� হিসেবে নিজেকে শীর্ষে তোলে� হয়ে ওঠ� আলজিয়ার্সের অধিপতি আসাদ-আদ-দীনে� বিশ্বস্ত সেনাপতি। কীভাবে অবস্থা� এম� পরিবর্তন হল�? কে� এককালে� সম্ভ্রান্ত যুবক দস্যুতার মত� নী� পেশা বেছে নিবে� উত্ত� খুঁজতে হব� বইয়ে।
বইয়ের কাহিনি সম্পর্কে খু� বেশি কিছু বলতে ইচ্ছ� কর� না� রিভি� বা পা� প্রতিক্রিয়া পড়ে� ভেতরের সবটা সবাই জেনে যাক� এট� চা� না!! শুধু এটুক� বল�, অনেক� জনরা� মিশেলে� স্বা� চাখা� জন্য �-ধরনে� বইগুলো চমৎকার; আর নিঃসন্দেহে দ্� সি-হক উপরে� দিকে� থাকবে।
February 25, 2025
Sabatini seems so far to have a pattern to his writing. His stories stop when the hero has his happy ending and justice has been delivered to his villains, i.e., actual scumbags for whom there is very little sympathy from the reader. In all three books, there is also the woman who misunderstands the hero, the side villain that redeems himself, and the fool of a side character that makes life hard for the hero. The hero is sardonic, honorable, stoic, steadfast, and faces adversity with a barbed tongue, dignity, and cunning resourcefulness. Despite these patterns, I've found that the three books I've read of him thus far have been very different from each other and enjoyable in different ways, and that their heroes, while sharing personality points, are characters that stand on their own without borrowing fromt he others. Even knowing that it will be a good ending doesn't stop me from getting caught up in the tension of the Sea Hawk, for example, and the emotions expounded on by the narrator. You just want to know how the story will unfurl, how Oliver will dodge the bullet, and so on and so forth. I think I could read Sabatini forever, hahaha.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2020
Като дете всичките ми любими романи бяха с герои мъже/момчета (изключвам Пипи). Дали стигаха звездите, попадаха на необитаем остров, обикаляха света и африканските пустини или си пробиваха пътя из мръсните викториански лондонски улици, все тая. Беше жестоко! Женските персонажи, доколкото присъстваха, не бяха интересни. Сигурно затова и до днес типът “безпомощн� героиня за спасяване� ми е противен.
И тогава се захванах със Сабатини. Наполовина италианец, наполовина англичанин, от началото на 20-ти век, педантично изучаващ историческите епохи за книгите си. Въобразявал си, че пише “сериозни� романи. И от моя гледна донякъде е така, само дето вкусът му към герои-странни птици, забъркани в авантюри с неочаквани обрати, придружени с любовни дилеми, го класирал за българските издатели през 80-те като приключенска литература за младежи.
Странна птица е и главният герой - многоуважаемият сър Оливър, изключително (не)благопристоен английски аристократ от Златния век на Елизабет I, с каперска минало, доста разтегливи морални понятия и напът да се ожени за любимата си Розамунд. Да, ама не. Иначе нямаше да има книга. Един коварен и слабоволев брат - и ето го нашият герой продаден в робство в Алжир. А няколко години по-късно алжирски пирати стъпват на усамотен английски бряг, за да прекъснат един годеж и да отвлекат двама англичани в Северна Африка. Сър Оливър е готов да представи сметките си за уреждане, заедно с натрупаната лихва. В това време кипят и вечните игри за власт в харема на местния владетел, където отново вярната посока е “търси жената�.
В цялата история много се възхитих на Розамунд. Желязната воля зад нежна външност, и доста голямо упорство, дори когато е в грешка, но пък още по-голямо упорство като хване най-сетне вярната посока. За известно време ми беше голяма любимка, заедно с главния герой и с главния злодей. Всички характери успяха да влязат в зрелищни сблъсъци един с друг.
Хубавото при Сабатини е, че не дели добри и лоши с ясна демаркационна линия. В един момент, с целия списък изложени на показ слабости (амбиция, алчност, завист, тесногръдие, арогантност, безгръбначие, жестокост, самовлюбеност), всичките герои до един ми бяха симпатични. Докато издирвах - по стар навик - моралната поука, книгата взе, че свърши, без да внесе нравоучителна яснота. Но пък какво приключение беше!
И тогава се захванах със Сабатини. Наполовина италианец, наполовина англичанин, от началото на 20-ти век, педантично изучаващ историческите епохи за книгите си. Въобразявал си, че пише “сериозни� романи. И от моя гледна донякъде е така, само дето вкусът му към герои-странни птици, забъркани в авантюри с неочаквани обрати, придружени с любовни дилеми, го класирал за българските издатели през 80-те като приключенска литература за младежи.
Странна птица е и главният герой - многоуважаемият сър Оливър, изключително (не)благопристоен английски аристократ от Златния век на Елизабет I, с каперска минало, доста разтегливи морални понятия и напът да се ожени за любимата си Розамунд. Да, ама не. Иначе нямаше да има книга. Един коварен и слабоволев брат - и ето го нашият герой продаден в робство в Алжир. А няколко години по-късно алжирски пирати стъпват на усамотен английски бряг, за да прекъснат един годеж и да отвлекат двама англичани в Северна Африка. Сър Оливър е готов да представи сметките си за уреждане, заедно с натрупаната лихва. В това време кипят и вечните игри за власт в харема на местния владетел, където отново вярната посока е “търси жената�.
В цялата история много се възхитих на Розамунд. Желязната воля зад нежна външност, и доста голямо упорство, дори когато е в грешка, но пък още по-голямо упорство като хване най-сетне вярната посока. За известно време ми беше голяма любимка, заедно с главния герой и с главния злодей. Всички характери успяха да влязат в зрелищни сблъсъци един с друг.
Хубавото при Сабатини е, че не дели добри и лоши с ясна демаркационна линия. В един момент, с целия списък изложени на показ слабости (амбиция, алчност, завист, тесногръдие, арогантност, безгръбначие, жестокост, самовлюбеност), всичките герои до един ми бяха симпатични. Докато издирвах - по стар навик - моралната поука, книгата взе, че свърши, без да внесе нравоучителна яснота. Но пък какво приключение беше!
December 12, 2020
“Miracles, my lord, must happen sometimes if the truth is to prevail.�
Wow, I hardly know how to rate this one! 😂 I was resolved through much of the book to give it no more than 3 stars, and there were actually moments when I considered not finishing it. Sir Oliver's conversion to Islam - even though it was rather superficial and under extreme circumstances - and his life as a fierce corsair, was very disturbing. But the ending was truly great and redeemed much of the story for me.
Wow, I hardly know how to rate this one! 😂 I was resolved through much of the book to give it no more than 3 stars, and there were actually moments when I considered not finishing it. Sir Oliver's conversion to Islam - even though it was rather superficial and under extreme circumstances - and his life as a fierce corsair, was very disturbing. But the ending was truly great and redeemed much of the story for me.
September 29, 2011
I have a bit of a weakness for swashbuckling tales of adventure, and I think it’s fair to say that the greatest writer of such stories in the English language was Rafael Sabatini (1875-1950). And The Sea Hawk, originally published in 1915, is generally regarded as one of his finest works.
Sabatini was born in Italy. His mother was English and from the age of seventeen he made his home in England. All his books were written in English.
Like his even more famous Captain Blood which came out in 1922) The Sea Hawk is the story of a reluctant pirate. The Tressilian family has a reputation for hot tempers and for morals that could charitably be described as relaxed. The young Sir Oliver Tressilian certainly shares the family reputation, although in his case it’s a little unfair. He is aware of his tendency to anger quickly and he is trying to curb that weakness.
He has an incentive to do so. He is in love with Rosamund Goldolphin. The Godolophins are both neighbours and traditional enemies of the Tressilians and Rosamund’s unstable brother Peter hates Sir Oliver with a passion. Sir Oliver is determined not to be provoked by the impetuous youth. He has sworn to Rosamund that Peter will never meet with harm from him.
His good intentions are to no avail. When Peter Godolphin is found dead of a sword thrust the general assumption is that Sir Oliver was his slayer. Even Rosamund believes this. He is in fact innocent, but is trapped between family loyalty and self-interest and is unable to convince her that he is guiltless. And his troubles have only just begun. He is treacherously kidnapped and finds himself at sea, and worse soon follows. The ship is taken by the Spaniards, and this being the late 16th century, the age of Queen Elizabeth, being taken by the Spaniards is very bad news indeed. Particularly in light of the fact that Tressilian has in the past been involved in maritime adventures that the Spanish are inclined to regard as being simple piracy.
Tressilian is sentenced to the galleys, but help comes from an unlikely quarter. His galley is captured by Moslem corsairs. Sir Oliver decides that being a Christian hasn’t done him much good and is easily persuaded to adopt the Moslem faith. This proves to be a very good move. Like many another Christian renegade he adapts quickly to life as a Barbary corsair and within a few years is the right-hand man to the Basha of Algiers. Sir Oliver Tressilian is now the famous Moslem corsair Sakr-el-Bahr, the Sea-Hawk. Piracy is a profession for which he has a true gift.
He believes he has shaken off his past, but it will come back to haunt him in unexpected ways and he will face some very difficult choices.
And of course he will have many adventures on the way.
Sir Oliver is a wonderful larger-than-life character. He is a flawed hero, or perhaps an heroic villain, but either way he’s entertaining and likeable. He is in fact a classic swashbuckling hero but with a dark side.
Sabatini tells his colourful tale with a great deal of flair. The plot is quite intricate and although it relies rather a lot on coincidence this is one of the conventions of this type of fiction. The lives of heroes are guided by fate, after all.
Immense fun, highly recommended.
Sabatini was born in Italy. His mother was English and from the age of seventeen he made his home in England. All his books were written in English.
Like his even more famous Captain Blood which came out in 1922) The Sea Hawk is the story of a reluctant pirate. The Tressilian family has a reputation for hot tempers and for morals that could charitably be described as relaxed. The young Sir Oliver Tressilian certainly shares the family reputation, although in his case it’s a little unfair. He is aware of his tendency to anger quickly and he is trying to curb that weakness.
He has an incentive to do so. He is in love with Rosamund Goldolphin. The Godolophins are both neighbours and traditional enemies of the Tressilians and Rosamund’s unstable brother Peter hates Sir Oliver with a passion. Sir Oliver is determined not to be provoked by the impetuous youth. He has sworn to Rosamund that Peter will never meet with harm from him.
His good intentions are to no avail. When Peter Godolphin is found dead of a sword thrust the general assumption is that Sir Oliver was his slayer. Even Rosamund believes this. He is in fact innocent, but is trapped between family loyalty and self-interest and is unable to convince her that he is guiltless. And his troubles have only just begun. He is treacherously kidnapped and finds himself at sea, and worse soon follows. The ship is taken by the Spaniards, and this being the late 16th century, the age of Queen Elizabeth, being taken by the Spaniards is very bad news indeed. Particularly in light of the fact that Tressilian has in the past been involved in maritime adventures that the Spanish are inclined to regard as being simple piracy.
Tressilian is sentenced to the galleys, but help comes from an unlikely quarter. His galley is captured by Moslem corsairs. Sir Oliver decides that being a Christian hasn’t done him much good and is easily persuaded to adopt the Moslem faith. This proves to be a very good move. Like many another Christian renegade he adapts quickly to life as a Barbary corsair and within a few years is the right-hand man to the Basha of Algiers. Sir Oliver Tressilian is now the famous Moslem corsair Sakr-el-Bahr, the Sea-Hawk. Piracy is a profession for which he has a true gift.
He believes he has shaken off his past, but it will come back to haunt him in unexpected ways and he will face some very difficult choices.
And of course he will have many adventures on the way.
Sir Oliver is a wonderful larger-than-life character. He is a flawed hero, or perhaps an heroic villain, but either way he’s entertaining and likeable. He is in fact a classic swashbuckling hero but with a dark side.
Sabatini tells his colourful tale with a great deal of flair. The plot is quite intricate and although it relies rather a lot on coincidence this is one of the conventions of this type of fiction. The lives of heroes are guided by fate, after all.
Immense fun, highly recommended.
May 4, 2016
Sometimes roots of all evil lies within mankind, equally as a species.
I won't say anything but that, because I try to respect both men and women equally, but ... Well, read the story and you shall understand what I mean.
The Sea-Hawk, indeed, was a epic saga. So much story within one book, so many things happened within one fourth of the book, and so many ups and downs altogether... all made me captive with awe. A story told so long ago, yet it remains to be one of its kind. Thus The Sea-Hawk is considered as a classic, independent of time and land.
It starts with Oliver, a nobleman, good guy. He tends to his responsibilities well, he respect his love and honor equally. So when love of his life, Rosamund, ignored her, he felt sad and weak. But he never once doubted her love for him, and hoped things will come around once again soon enough. Then conspiracy happens and things go south. From then on, it was one non-stop ride of tragic events towards the end.
From beginning to end it was an intriguing story. I remained to the edges for each turn of event took place. Felt sad many times, was afraid of the future that threatened the main protagonist. And talking about evil deeds!! Oh man! there were plenty. I just kept my fingers crossed and hoped for the best until the end.
It was a clever storyline, which I am sure author crafted with complete outline before attempting to write. There were many loose strings which gets tied up together nicely enough.
There were pirates, attacks, love, hate, friendship, loyalty, conspiracy, tragedy, and much more.
This is a story that has the power to keep you entrained, time and time again.
[I read a translated version, and to describe in one word, it was a "Flawless" work.]
I won't say anything but that, because I try to respect both men and women equally, but ... Well, read the story and you shall understand what I mean.
The Sea-Hawk, indeed, was a epic saga. So much story within one book, so many things happened within one fourth of the book, and so many ups and downs altogether... all made me captive with awe. A story told so long ago, yet it remains to be one of its kind. Thus The Sea-Hawk is considered as a classic, independent of time and land.
It starts with Oliver, a nobleman, good guy. He tends to his responsibilities well, he respect his love and honor equally. So when love of his life, Rosamund, ignored her, he felt sad and weak. But he never once doubted her love for him, and hoped things will come around once again soon enough. Then conspiracy happens and things go south. From then on, it was one non-stop ride of tragic events towards the end.
From beginning to end it was an intriguing story. I remained to the edges for each turn of event took place. Felt sad many times, was afraid of the future that threatened the main protagonist. And talking about evil deeds!! Oh man! there were plenty. I just kept my fingers crossed and hoped for the best until the end.
It was a clever storyline, which I am sure author crafted with complete outline before attempting to write. There were many loose strings which gets tied up together nicely enough.
There were pirates, attacks, love, hate, friendship, loyalty, conspiracy, tragedy, and much more.
This is a story that has the power to keep you entrained, time and time again.
[I read a translated version, and to describe in one word, it was a "Flawless" work.]
July 31, 2022
Sabatini is the master of the swashbuckling tale. I liked Captain Blood better than The Sea-Hawk, but both have galloping plots that ensure a quick and enjoyable read. My dad loved the Sabatini books, and I have him to thank for putting me on to them.
October 17, 2012
I first came to Rafael Sabatini through his excellent 1922 pirate novel Captain Blood, and then read his fine 1921 swashbuckling tale, Scaramouche. Continuing this journey through Sabatini's novels, I've just completed his 1915 pirate intrigue, The Sea-Hawk. The Sea-Hawk doesn't disappoint, living up exceedingly well to the high standards of Sabatini's other novels. It's got everything - adventure, drama, romance, and exotic locales. There are some elements that echo Sabatini's other stories, but they're used with a new spin and combined in different ways, so it still seems fresh, and the setting helps with that a great deal as well.
Our hero, Sir Oliver Tressilian, lives in England in the late 16th century under the cloud of his deceased father's bad reputation. Like Peter Blood, the titular Captain Blood, he is victim of a great injustice, finds himself enslaved, gains freedom, and becomes a pirate, all while having a complicated relationship with a woman whose political background is a challenge. However, his injustice is of a much more personal nature, and his saga of piracy, love, and redemption doesn't take place in the Caribbean, as Blood's does, but along the Barbary Coast, where Sir Oliver becomes known as Sakr-el-Bahr, the Hawk of the Sea, a feared corsair and major political power in Algiers.
The setting and the political intrigue are what really stand out for me with The Sea-Hawk. There are countless tales about piracy in the Caribbean, but the Barbary Coast pirates are often forgotten, despite their effectiveness. Seeing Sir Oliver plunged into the Muslim world of Algiers is fascinating. This is Sabatini at his historical fiction finest. He really immerses you in the culture, the religion, and both the glamour and unpleasant realities of the time and place. It's not just window dressing, either, as important facets of the religion and culture play crucial roles in the plot. There's also some excellent political scheming, as Sakr-el-Bahr is a favorite of the Basha of Algiers, and his conniving wife and jealous son try every trick in the book to turn them against each other. Oh, and the romance? Yeah, that gets caught up in all of this as well.
I listened to Tantor's 2001 production of The Sea-Hawk, read by John Bolen. The audio quality was a bit rough, but I believe that's likely a result of the library's e-audio book over-compression, as I haven't noticed it with other Tantor productions. As for Bolen himself, he does excellent work with character voices, but his general narration is oddly a bit flat. Overall, he's perfectly capable. I did find myself wishing that Simon Vance (who also records as Robert Whitfield) had recorded The Sea-Hawk, though, as I've enjoyed his narration on Sabatini's Captain Blood and Scaramouche immensely. The unabridged recording runs approximately eleven hours.
I highly recommend The Sea-Hawk. Fans of Sabatini's other work will immediately take to it, as will fans of pirate fiction, historical fiction, political intrigue or stories that take place in exotic locations. The Sea-Hawk has helped cement Sabatini's place as one of my favorite authors.
Our hero, Sir Oliver Tressilian, lives in England in the late 16th century under the cloud of his deceased father's bad reputation. Like Peter Blood, the titular Captain Blood, he is victim of a great injustice, finds himself enslaved, gains freedom, and becomes a pirate, all while having a complicated relationship with a woman whose political background is a challenge. However, his injustice is of a much more personal nature, and his saga of piracy, love, and redemption doesn't take place in the Caribbean, as Blood's does, but along the Barbary Coast, where Sir Oliver becomes known as Sakr-el-Bahr, the Hawk of the Sea, a feared corsair and major political power in Algiers.
The setting and the political intrigue are what really stand out for me with The Sea-Hawk. There are countless tales about piracy in the Caribbean, but the Barbary Coast pirates are often forgotten, despite their effectiveness. Seeing Sir Oliver plunged into the Muslim world of Algiers is fascinating. This is Sabatini at his historical fiction finest. He really immerses you in the culture, the religion, and both the glamour and unpleasant realities of the time and place. It's not just window dressing, either, as important facets of the religion and culture play crucial roles in the plot. There's also some excellent political scheming, as Sakr-el-Bahr is a favorite of the Basha of Algiers, and his conniving wife and jealous son try every trick in the book to turn them against each other. Oh, and the romance? Yeah, that gets caught up in all of this as well.
I listened to Tantor's 2001 production of The Sea-Hawk, read by John Bolen. The audio quality was a bit rough, but I believe that's likely a result of the library's e-audio book over-compression, as I haven't noticed it with other Tantor productions. As for Bolen himself, he does excellent work with character voices, but his general narration is oddly a bit flat. Overall, he's perfectly capable. I did find myself wishing that Simon Vance (who also records as Robert Whitfield) had recorded The Sea-Hawk, though, as I've enjoyed his narration on Sabatini's Captain Blood and Scaramouche immensely. The unabridged recording runs approximately eleven hours.
I highly recommend The Sea-Hawk. Fans of Sabatini's other work will immediately take to it, as will fans of pirate fiction, historical fiction, political intrigue or stories that take place in exotic locations. The Sea-Hawk has helped cement Sabatini's place as one of my favorite authors.
May 12, 2016
রাফায়েল সাবতিন� এর লেখা আগ� পড়ি নি � যদিও অনুবাদ পড়েছি কিন্তু স্বীকা� করতে বাধা নে� যে এম� রোমাঞ্� উপন্যা� আগ� কখনো পড়িনি � উপন্যাসটাই টুইস্ট� ভরপুর। এক টানে পুরো ৪২� পাতা মন্ত্র মুগ্ধে� মত পড়েছি � আর অনুবাদ� ইসমাইল আরমা� � যথার্থ গুণে� পরিচয় দিয়েছেন � এই বইটি রাফায়েল সাবতিন� এর সবচেয়� বিখ্যা� উপন্যাস। ইন্টার ন্যাশনাল বেস্টসেলার বলতে যা বুঝায় তা শুরু হয়েছি� এই বইটি� মাধ্যমেই �
February 7, 2022
Ha! Completely different than any of the "normal" things I read. What can be said about an Adventure novel from the early part of the 20th Century? The time period isn't clear, but it seems to take place in the latter part of the 16th Century. Oliver Tresselian, an English gentleman, leaves his nice home and takes to the seas. What would make him do that? The early part of the novel makes this clear. A good yarn follows.
This is all plot. There is no reason to expect even a whit of characterization. All of the characters are pretty much stereotypes. I expected no different. The writing style is another matter. It works for this novel because of the time period. For the dialog, I think he attempted to mimic Shakespeare. The straight prose paragraphs are easier to follow, but at first they were a tad jarring.
As I say, this is a good yarn, though I definitely liked his much better. I'd be tempted to also give this one 4-stars, but, for me, it wasn't quite that good. Almost, but not quite.
This is all plot. There is no reason to expect even a whit of characterization. All of the characters are pretty much stereotypes. I expected no different. The writing style is another matter. It works for this novel because of the time period. For the dialog, I think he attempted to mimic Shakespeare. The straight prose paragraphs are easier to follow, but at first they were a tad jarring.
In that silence he strode up the steps, and entered the rush-strewn hall. As he vanished he heard the hubbub behind him break out anew, fiercer than it had been before. But he nothing heeded it.There can be no doubt Sabatini did this intentionally and I don't pretend otherwise. It both enhances and detracts from the story. By the time I was more than halfway, I just accepted it for what it is. I freely admit, however, I probably won't volunteer for it very often!
As I say, this is a good yarn, though I definitely liked his much better. I'd be tempted to also give this one 4-stars, but, for me, it wasn't quite that good. Almost, but not quite.
September 14, 2022
সাবাতিনি� বইয়� চমকে� কখনো� কমতি হয� না� তরতরিয়ে কাহিনি এগিয়েছে� তব�, সাবাতিনি� বইয়ের সমাপ্ত� নাটুকেপনায� ভর� থাকে� এবার� ছিল।
ইসমাইল আরমা� দেশে� অন্যতম সেরা অনুবাদক। তা� দক্ষতা নিয়� আলাদ� কর� বলার নেই।
কাহিনি� প্রয়োজনেই ইসলা� ধর্মের প্রসঙ্� এসেছে। ঔপন্যাসিকে� সূক্ষ্� ইসলামবিদ্বেষ চো� এড়ায়নি�
ইসমাইল আরমা� দেশে� অন্যতম সেরা অনুবাদক। তা� দক্ষতা নিয়� আলাদ� কর� বলার নেই।
কাহিনি� প্রয়োজনেই ইসলা� ধর্মের প্রসঙ্� এসেছে। ঔপন্যাসিকে� সূক্ষ্� ইসলামবিদ্বেষ চো� এড়ায়নি�
October 18, 2021
Rafael Sabatini's Captain Blood is a story I've enjoyed in the past but it never prompted me to explore his other novels. This is, apparently, the time for exploration. It began with noticing this title which matches my favorite Errol Flynn movie. Turns out the title is about all they took from the book, if indeed the book was at all involved.
This is a much better tale, one of a family feud, betrayed brotherhood, and love gone awry which results in galley slavery, more than a flirtation with Islam, and every exotic story device that can be imagined. It all works. In a bit of an over-the-top sort of way, but I was hanging on every chapter, reading breathlessly to see what happened next.
What makes the story even better is that Sabatini evidently was scrupulous in being historically exact. Yes, Lord Oliver existed and did those things. Now, that didn't keep Sabatini from inventing and exaggerating to give us this swashbuckler. And I'm ok with that. I'm not reading these for the history, though that doesn't hurt it a bit.
This is a much better tale, one of a family feud, betrayed brotherhood, and love gone awry which results in galley slavery, more than a flirtation with Islam, and every exotic story device that can be imagined. It all works. In a bit of an over-the-top sort of way, but I was hanging on every chapter, reading breathlessly to see what happened next.
What makes the story even better is that Sabatini evidently was scrupulous in being historically exact. Yes, Lord Oliver existed and did those things. Now, that didn't keep Sabatini from inventing and exaggerating to give us this swashbuckler. And I'm ok with that. I'm not reading these for the history, though that doesn't hurt it a bit.
February 18, 2018
Having already read two of Sabatini's previous works, Captain Blood and Scaramouche, this book was enjoyable but really predictable , aside from the interesting influence of having part if the novel set in a predominately Muslim country .
September 2, 2022
I'm giving this book a two. It would be a 2.5 but goodreads does not allow halves so a two it shall be.
I'm gonna be straight: Sabatini does some fucked up stuff in this book. Lets start with the story, since some of you might be wondering - is the Flynn movie an adaptation of this book? No. But, it does borrow plot elements here and there. If this movie was ever made it would probably be considered highly controversial and messier than Lawrence of Arabia.
Spoiler cut because I'm gonna summarize the whole plot:
I'm gonna be straight: Sabatini does some fucked up stuff in this book. Lets start with the story, since some of you might be wondering - is the Flynn movie an adaptation of this book? No. But, it does borrow plot elements here and there. If this movie was ever made it would probably be considered highly controversial and messier than Lawrence of Arabia.
Spoiler cut because I'm gonna summarize the whole plot:
October 28, 2017
Nach gefühlten eintausend Seiten streiche ich endgültig die Segel und gebe diesen Roman auf. Rafael Sabatini muss sich in einer unkreativen Schreibstimmung befunden haben, als er diese Geschichte aufs Papier brachte.
Ich bin es zwar inzwischen gewohnt, dass das glühende Verlangen seiner Hauptfigur nach einem natürlich überirdisch schönen weiblichen Wesen, zentrales Thema seiner Romane ist. Aber in seinem wunderbaren "Captain Blood" fügte er es gekonnt zwischen Meer und Takelage ein.
So verbringt der "Seefalke" die meiste Zeit überhaupt nicht auf See, sondern zunächst in seinem Haus in Cornwall, obwohl dieser Teil der Geschichte noch ein gewisses Vergnügen bereitet. Doch im zweiten Teil wird die Handlung nach Algier verlegt, in den Palast des Statthalters und seiner intriganten Frau. Was nun folgt, sind ausschließlich schwülstige Dialoge und langweilige Ränke. Man muss nicht lange überlegen, ob es Sir Oliver am Ende gelingen wird, seine Rosamunde von seiner Liebe und Treue zu überzeugen. Es ist von Anfang an so sicher wie das Amen in der Kirche. - Was Sabatini hiermit vorlegt, ist weit davon entfernt ein fesselndes Seeabenteuer zu sein, sondern vielmehr handelt es ich um eine ausgesprochen oberflächliche, hervorsehbare und öde Liebesschnulze!
Ich bin es zwar inzwischen gewohnt, dass das glühende Verlangen seiner Hauptfigur nach einem natürlich überirdisch schönen weiblichen Wesen, zentrales Thema seiner Romane ist. Aber in seinem wunderbaren "Captain Blood" fügte er es gekonnt zwischen Meer und Takelage ein.
So verbringt der "Seefalke" die meiste Zeit überhaupt nicht auf See, sondern zunächst in seinem Haus in Cornwall, obwohl dieser Teil der Geschichte noch ein gewisses Vergnügen bereitet. Doch im zweiten Teil wird die Handlung nach Algier verlegt, in den Palast des Statthalters und seiner intriganten Frau. Was nun folgt, sind ausschließlich schwülstige Dialoge und langweilige Ränke. Man muss nicht lange überlegen, ob es Sir Oliver am Ende gelingen wird, seine Rosamunde von seiner Liebe und Treue zu überzeugen. Es ist von Anfang an so sicher wie das Amen in der Kirche. - Was Sabatini hiermit vorlegt, ist weit davon entfernt ein fesselndes Seeabenteuer zu sein, sondern vielmehr handelt es ich um eine ausgesprochen oberflächliche, hervorsehbare und öde Liebesschnulze!
March 15, 2018
কাহিনি� নায়� ইংল্যান্� এর কর্নওয়া� এর বাসিন্দা অকুতোভয় নাইট স্যা� অলিভার ট্রেসিলিয়ান� সৎ ভাইয়ে� ষড়যন্ত্রে কপাল� জুটল� মিথ্যা খুনে� অপবা�; হারালো প্রেমিকা রোজামুন্� এর বিশ্বা� � তা� পদমর্যাদা। ঘটনাপ্রবাহ� অপহৃ� হয়ে বন্দ� হল� অন্য জাহাজে; বর� কর� নিতে হল ক্রীতদাসের জীবন�
সময়ের পরিক্রমায় ক্রীতদাসের জীবন থেকে মুক্তি পেয়� অলিভার পরিণ� হল কর্সেয়া� জলদস্য� Sea-Hawk (সাগরের বাজপাখ�) -তে শাকে�-আল-বাহা� নামে, যা� না� শুনলেই কেপে উঠতো ইসলামে� বিধর্মীদে� জাহাজগুলো। আলজেরীয় বাদশাহের পৃষ্ঠপোষকতায� সাগর� একের পর এক বিজয� ছিনিয়� আনতে শুরু কর� শাকে�-আল-বাহা� ওরফে অলিভার ট্রেসিলিয়ান�
এভাব� দি� চলতে চলতে সুযো� এল� ইংল্যান্� � ফিরে গিয়� সৎ ভাইয়ে� উপ� প্রতিশোধ নেবা� � প্রেমিকা� বিশ্বা� পুনঃ অর্জনের। মাথা� উপ� তখ� ঘুরছ� মিথ্যা খুনে� সাজা� এরপর কী হল? অলিভার কী সফ� হব� তা� পরিকল্পনায�? তা জানত� হল� পড়ত� হব� বইটি�
রাফায়েল সাবাতিনি� বই এর আগ� পড়েছি 'দ্� ব্ল্যা� সোয়ান', 'আক্র� দ্� পিরেনি�', 'লা� এট আর্ম�', 'দ্� লস্ট কিং।' কোনটাতেই 'দ্� সি-হক' এর মত মজ� পাইনি। বল� হয়ে থাকে এট� সাবাতিনি� অন্যতম শ্রেষ্� উপন্যাস। ক্লাসি� উপন্যা� হিসেবে একেবার� মানানসই। ৪০�+ পৃষ্ঠা� এই বইয়� বিশ্বাসঘাতকত�, রোমাঞ্�, অভিযান, প্রে�, জলদস্যুত�, দা�-প্রথার কাহিনি, ষড়যন্ত্�, প্রতিশোধ, বিচা�, হাস্যোরস, একের পর এক ট্যুইস্ট - সব উপাদান� বিদ্যমান� অনুবাদ� ইসমাইল আরমানকেও � তারা�
সময়ের পরিক্রমায় ক্রীতদাসের জীবন থেকে মুক্তি পেয়� অলিভার পরিণ� হল কর্সেয়া� জলদস্য� Sea-Hawk (সাগরের বাজপাখ�) -তে শাকে�-আল-বাহা� নামে, যা� না� শুনলেই কেপে উঠতো ইসলামে� বিধর্মীদে� জাহাজগুলো। আলজেরীয় বাদশাহের পৃষ্ঠপোষকতায� সাগর� একের পর এক বিজয� ছিনিয়� আনতে শুরু কর� শাকে�-আল-বাহা� ওরফে অলিভার ট্রেসিলিয়ান�
এভাব� দি� চলতে চলতে সুযো� এল� ইংল্যান্� � ফিরে গিয়� সৎ ভাইয়ে� উপ� প্রতিশোধ নেবা� � প্রেমিকা� বিশ্বা� পুনঃ অর্জনের। মাথা� উপ� তখ� ঘুরছ� মিথ্যা খুনে� সাজা� এরপর কী হল? অলিভার কী সফ� হব� তা� পরিকল্পনায�? তা জানত� হল� পড়ত� হব� বইটি�
রাফায়েল সাবাতিনি� বই এর আগ� পড়েছি 'দ্� ব্ল্যা� সোয়ান', 'আক্র� দ্� পিরেনি�', 'লা� এট আর্ম�', 'দ্� লস্ট কিং।' কোনটাতেই 'দ্� সি-হক' এর মত মজ� পাইনি। বল� হয়ে থাকে এট� সাবাতিনি� অন্যতম শ্রেষ্� উপন্যাস। ক্লাসি� উপন্যা� হিসেবে একেবার� মানানসই। ৪০�+ পৃষ্ঠা� এই বইয়� বিশ্বাসঘাতকত�, রোমাঞ্�, অভিযান, প্রে�, জলদস্যুত�, দা�-প্রথার কাহিনি, ষড়যন্ত্�, প্রতিশোধ, বিচা�, হাস্যোরস, একের পর এক ট্যুইস্ট - সব উপাদান� বিদ্যমান� অনুবাদ� ইসমাইল আরমানকেও � তারা�
November 1, 2022
� যে দেখি সে� পুরন� বাংল� সিনেমা!
সব মিলিয়� আনন্� দিয়েছ� এই এডভেঞ্চারা� বাংল� সিনেমা�
আর অনুবাদের কথ� কি� বা বলবো! চমৎকার ^_^
~� নভেম্ব�, ২০২২
সব মিলিয়� আনন্� দিয়েছ� এই এডভেঞ্চারা� বাংল� সিনেমা�
আর অনুবাদের কথ� কি� বা বলবো! চমৎকার ^_^
~� নভেম্ব�, ২০২২
October 23, 2021
Bears more than a passing resemblance to Captain Blood--I don't know how many English gentlemen were forced to become galley-slaves-turned-pirate-captains in the late 1500s, but Sabatini would have me believe this happened every Tuesday--and lots of swashbuckling fun. Also lots of really dated, cringe-worthy opinions on Islam and slavery, so be forewarned there. Really appealing characters can overcome a lot, but Sir Oliver is a real piece of work for most of the book, so there wasn't much to camouflage the flaws, especially the excruciatingly drawn-out reveal scenes. Worth a read if you're a Sabatini fan or into swashbuckling older adventure, but probably not if you're not already into those things.
July 8, 2022
পছন্দে� গল্প।এটা� মত রিভেঞ্� থ্রিলা� খু� কম � পড়েছি।সুপাঠ্য অনুবাদ,টা� টা� উত্তেজনা সব মিলিয়� সেরা একটা গল্প
December 9, 2021
One of Raphael Sabatini’s more popular adventurous swashbucklers, The Sea-Hawk is exciting and great fun, though not so much so as the other Sabatini I read recently, Bardelys the Magnificent. Don’t read it expecting the story from the Errol Flynn movie, as that film took the title but none of the story. This one is about revenge and betrayed love and an Englishman joining Muslim pirates. A fun read.
November 27, 2011
Buddy read with Bettie, Hayes (?) and Wanda.
Page 75:
Sakr-el-Bahr, the hawk of the sea, the scourge of the Mediterranean and the terror of Christian Spain lay prone on the heights of Cape Spartel.
This is the story of Oliver Tressilian who became a corsair since he was wrongly accused by this own brother of the murder of Master Peter Godolphin.
He then became a Barbary pirate after have spent a long time a galley slave.
Lady Rosamund Godolphin, his girlfriend, didn't trust him at the first time and believed at his treasonous brother. But their lives will cross again and the truth shall prevail.
The original movie was based on this book. However, the story is completely different from the Errol Flynn movie .
Page 75:
Sakr-el-Bahr, the hawk of the sea, the scourge of the Mediterranean and the terror of Christian Spain lay prone on the heights of Cape Spartel.
This is the story of Oliver Tressilian who became a corsair since he was wrongly accused by this own brother of the murder of Master Peter Godolphin.
He then became a Barbary pirate after have spent a long time a galley slave.
Lady Rosamund Godolphin, his girlfriend, didn't trust him at the first time and believed at his treasonous brother. But their lives will cross again and the truth shall prevail.
The original movie was based on this book. However, the story is completely different from the Errol Flynn movie .
June 16, 2019
'Tis a wonder that one so cunning could have a brother so stupid.
In the end this book has an original star-point for Oliver's character - that is, for his wit, his intelligence and cunning, pretty great character building.
One point for a natural-ish plot, it didn't seem forced to me, and there was no other way clear to me that could have spared the characters the grief.
One point for the other stupid characters that were there to compensate for Oliver. In faith, if not for that Harry, I would have given up hope, even Rosamund. There is a pride next to a natural evil that is the like of her brother's that bade her think a man beneath her and condemn him and his last attempt to reach out.
One more point because this book deserves a 4 and I'm lazy
In the end this book has an original star-point for Oliver's character - that is, for his wit, his intelligence and cunning, pretty great character building.
One point for a natural-ish plot, it didn't seem forced to me, and there was no other way clear to me that could have spared the characters the grief.
One point for the other stupid characters that were there to compensate for Oliver. In faith, if not for that Harry, I would have given up hope, even Rosamund. There is a pride next to a natural evil that is the like of her brother's that bade her think a man beneath her and condemn him and his last attempt to reach out.
One more point because this book deserves a 4 and I'm lazy
May 18, 2015
Rafael Sabatini is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. The Sea Hawk is the 2nd book I've read of his and it's already one of my favorite books of all time. I look forward to reading many more of his work!
May 24, 2022
The most instances (four!) of the word "mummery" of any book I can recall
Update: Ivanhoe includes an impressive six instances.
Update: Ivanhoe includes an impressive six instances.
January 12, 2019
It's been quite a while since I saw the Errol Flynn movie that I remember very little beyond the galley slaves rowing and Erich Wolfgang Korngold's memorable score, but I would be willing to bet on my fleeting memory that the film was considerably different than this book, and that's not a bad thing. The film is enjoyable for its time, but the book stands strong as an adventure. The idea of Christian Englishman with a sordid past being abducted and finding his way to becoming a Muslim pirate legend seems like a radical plot for its time. There are many intense scenes throughout, and I don't just mean action. When he gets to prove his innocence to his former fiancee who believed the accusations that he was a murderer, while reconciliation is certainly to be expected in a novel of this type and time, it does not come easily. In fact, the venom spoken between the two is cold and biting. A bit melodramatic in places, but not nearly as much as I was expecting. This was an excellent adventure novel.
June 25, 2017
Sir Oliver Tressilian, a Cornish gentleman, finds refuge in the Middle East after his half-brother's betrayal almost gets him sold into slavery. There, he converts to Islam and joins the ranks of the Barbary pirates, building a fearsome reputation as Sakr-el-Bahr, the Sea-Hawk, and awaiting his opportunity to take revenge for the fate that has been visited upon him.
Much as I enjoy a good swashbuckling tale and pirate adventure, this one was just a little too full of unlikable characters and over the top melodrama for me... and frankly, that judgmental bitch Rosamund really wasn't worth all the trouble people went to because of her.
Much as I enjoy a good swashbuckling tale and pirate adventure, this one was just a little too full of unlikable characters and over the top melodrama for me... and frankly, that judgmental bitch Rosamund really wasn't worth all the trouble people went to because of her.
November 10, 2019
I don’t have much patience for adventure novels unless they’re incredibly well-written, which this one is. Sir Oliver Tressilian, a Cornish gentleman, is double-crossed by his half brother and sold as a slave to some Barbary pirates. Being a take-charge kind of guy, what can he do but become a pirate himself and take charge of their ship? But he still has a score to settle back home, especially since the slimy half-brother is now engaged to his old fiancee. And this is just the beginning of the action! The author of the book, Rafael Sabatini, is better known for Scaramouche, which I really enjoyed. But The Sea Hawk is way better. I couldn’t put it down.
August 11, 2024
I’m somewhere in the realm of 3.5 and 4 stars for this one. Swashbuckling is the word that first came to mind, but I don’t think that’s quite what I’m feeling. There is a sensationalism that was compelling but also fascinating side studies in characters and human motives. No one is exempt from making mistakes with Sabatini’s stories and I think that’s what I like most about his books. Even with his hero/s, they aren’t spotless and he shows that. Great escape read for all things new and out of the ordinary!
February 10, 2017
Romanul de calatorie si aventuri, cu actiune, istorie, pirati, un preambul pentru genul cinematografic al trillerului intitulat Sakr el Bahr, traducerea denumirii in limba araba a personajului principal al cartii, britanicul sir Oliver Tressilian, este o carte recomandabila din start tuturor acelora ce simt o pasiune pentru lecturarea acestui tip de roman, unde intriga, pasiunile intense sunt traite la cote ridicate, moartea-i prezenta la fiecare colt de actiune inceputa pe o foaie si continuata pe cealalta.
Intr-un cuvant, cheia felului in care e scris romanul, unul in care cineva povesteste cum a fost viata plina de actiune patimasa a lui sir Oliver, e de alerta atentie pentru a nu rata nicicum vreo clipa actiune ce fluida curge-nspre conturarea portretului complex al eroului cartii. Sir Henry, un istoric si general al armatei navale britanice la curtea reginei acelor vremuri de restriste din secolul al XVII-lea, cand inca expansiunea catorva tari binecunoscute in ceea ce s-a numit mai tarziu colonialismul si imperialismul ceva mai tarziu, dar apropiat de vremurile actuale, ne spune povestea unui om bun, puternic, ferm, direct, franc, rational, inteligent, dar si manios la nedreptatile de care ia cunostinta neezitand vreo clipa in a sari in apararea celui neajutorat si abuzat de o stare de fapte.
Asa e si situatia in care chiar el pica la mijlocul unui sabotaj, complot pus la cale chiar de fratele sau, vitreg ce-i drept, dar pe care mai tanar fiind, era in custodia fratelui sau mai mare.
Pe scurt sir Oliver isi iubeste tanara logodnica miss Rosamund, pe care o respecta si-o iubeste, si-i asteapta varsta necesara pentru a iesi de sub protectoratul mai batranului ei custode, sir John, ce nu prea-l agreeaza deloc pe sir Oliver. Iar asta, doar pentru ca nici pe tatal lui sir Oliver nu l-avut vreodata la inima, caci pe vremea tineretilor celor doi, intr-o disputa personala castig de cauza avusese tatal lui Oliver. Dar apropiat oarecum tactic de fratele vitreg al lui Oliver, sir John il avea mai de graba la inima pe tanarul Tressilian, pe nume Lionel, un tanar firav, ce semana leit cu mama din care provenise, a doua sotie a tatalui Tressilian, un aventurier, razboinic, curajos, lucid si manios deopotriva in fata nedreptatilor fata de care nu ezita sa scoada spada si a o folosi inspirat pentru a invinge rivalii dreptatii, cu gena latina, siciliana, descendentul unei vechi familii de razboinici napoletani.
In apropierea implinirii varstei majoratului printesei iubite de Oliver, miss Rosamund, divergentele apar pe fondul iscoditorului ce se implica sa impiedice cererea fetei ce-o avea sub paza si crestere nu inca mult timp, de catre Oliver. Fara a fi comis vreun gest necugetat, ci din contra dand frau liber la timpul adecvat cererii sale cu cale parasea conacul sau in directia casei lui Rosamund, acestuia-i fu interzis prin ordinul lui sir John accesul inauntru la miss Rosamund, de teama faptului ca odata acceptata cererea de casatorie, John pierdea sume importante de administrat pe care inca le avea sub semnatura in calitate de custode ai sub nicio forma nu dorea legatura aceasta sa aiba loc, el fiind mai apropiat de felul de a fi al mezinului Tressilienilor, ce era diferit atat ca infatisare cat si ca atitudine de fratele sau mai mare. In joc era puterea de influentare a deciziilor ce implicau sumele si destinatia acestora odata ce o posibila alianta s-ar fi petrecut intre cele doua familii prin casatoria Rosamundei cu vreun Tressilian.
Si de aici pana la reactia de a se fi simtit Oliver tradat de sir John, si pana la a pleca ulterior cu gandul indreptatit de patima sufleteasca pentru iubirea ce i-o purta Rosamundei de a-l pedepsi pentru gestul nepotrivit si ilegal de a nu-i permite lui accesul la persoana iubita desi aceasta era de-acum majora, coroborat cu ce-avea sa afle mai tarziu Oliver, anume ca nicio implicare nu avusese Rosamund in toata atitudinea persiflanta a lui sir John, nu mai fu decat un mic pas. Pe care inapoi spre casa lui il facu Oliver doar pentru a se inarma cu draci si a avea in plan sa plece sa-i dea a corectie, provocandu-l la duel pe cel ce abuza de constrangerea la care o supunea pe cea pe care o avusese cub protectie pana la majorat. Cu aceste ganduri impartasite fratelui mai mic in acea seara, tanarul Lionel, cel care era primit oricand la resedinta unde sir John il primea cu zambetul pe buze, se duse tinta spre locul in care dorea sa-l impace pe fratele sau de a carui nemultumire era chiar el afectat, mai ales ca desi erau complet diferiti, teama si respectul deopotriva pentru Oliver il faceau acum pe mezin sa-l vrea pedepsit pe sir John pentru asta.
Dar cum nu totdeauna iese totul cum planifici, intr-o conjunctura in care inainte de a fi ajuns sa-l infrunte pe sir John, Lionel sa lasa dus de nas de alt tanar cu care era camarad inspre casa unde se gasea o femeie usoara care prin reputatia ei strica faima localitatii engleze unde crestea si Rosamund. Si de-acolo sub patima crescuta si simtul dreptatii exacerbat pleca alaturi de camaradul sau sa-l provoace pe sir John, care raspunse la duel dupa ce vazu ca nu se poate altfel si in ambuscada creata camaradul lui Lionel isi pierduse viata, iar Lionel fiind la randu-i ranit de duel si sangele curgandu-i pe toata distanta de la locul fatelor pana acasa, atrasese atentia asupra tribunalului asupra casei Tressilian. Alt mijloc de a-si ajuta fratele, Oliver nu are, decat sa-i spuna lui Lionel sa nu divulge nimic din ce s-a intamplat, caci fratele mai mare nu suporta sa-si piarda fratele chiar de comisese ceva, pentru ca era inca in grija sa, iar asta-l macina. Doar ca acest fapt, coroborat zilele urmatoare cu influenta lui sir John printre judecatorii alertati ca la semnal pusesra deja in vizor casa Tressilian, care prin oricare din frati i-ar fi avut inchisi pentru crima, stopa maritisul Rosamundei si castiga prin asta continuarea administrarii averii ei sir John.
Prin vechea marsavie a batranului ce nu se poate impaca cu vreun esec din tinerete, sir John si-l apropie de partea lui pe Lionel caruia-i explica faptul ca acuzele asupra casei Tressilian erau indiscutabile si ca libertatea unuia din frati va fi oprita, depinzand doar de el care, asa se pune la cale tradarea fratelui mai mare, care cade la mijloc victima unei inscenari de disparitie, in locul incarcerarii, dirijate de sir John si Lionel, caruia custodele fetei-i promisese mana Rosamundei pe viitor, odata ce Oliver va fi fost deja trecut pentru ei toti. Vanzarea-l costa pe Lionel banii lui Oliver primiti o parte de catre sir John si cealalta parte de corsarul ce-l duce in larg la bordul corabiei sale.
Doar ca socoteala britanicilor nu se potriveste pe tot drumul, caci devin ei toti de pe vas cuceriti si inrobiti de alt vas, al coroanei Spaniole, unde odata ajuns cu noul echipaj la conducerea corabiei in Spania, e eliberat pe considerentul religios al devotiunii sale fata de catolicismul promovat in Iberia. Si asa devine Oliver eliberat nu dupa mult timp si afland de la ceilalti membri englezi ai echipajului care-l rapisera initial cine-i pregatise retragerea din scena si de ce, mania lui crescu, dar calculele sale tocmai acum incep sa puna la cale o contra ofensiva, razbunatoare, dar amanata. De aici de sub ocrotirea coroanei spaniole in schimb dupa cateva expeditii reusite in slujba regalitatii iberice, corabia lui sir Oliver cade la mijloc intr-o ambuscada unde iarasi devine inrobit de aceasta data sub corabiile corsarilor mauri ai califatului tunisian. Ajuns insa pe pamant musulman, Oliver e sclav, trage la gelere si furia-i creste enorm de mult pentru tradarea ce-a inceput in Anglia natala.
Dar da dovada ulterior dupa ce se remarca-ntr-o batalie in largul coastelor furtunoase ale Mediteranei de o prezenta eroica de spirit care-i salveaza flota agresata de spaniolii inarmati atunci mai bine, porniti la o ofensiva impotriva necredinciosilor mauri, cum erau considerati arabii de catre vesticii europeni catolici. Si in aceste crancene lupte isi castiga supranumele de Sakr el Bahr, ce uita de titulatura europeana si conduce, ca mana dreapta a marelui emir toata flota maritima sub steagul capului de mort al semilunei musulmane. Barba devine un accesoriu absolut inevitabil pentru noul Sakr el Bahr, ce nu-l face deloc uitat pe fostul Oliver Tressilian, decat in denumirea sa, dovada sa de fidelitate si de credinta sub juramant si botezarea sub noua religie domnind acele tinuturi fiind clare. Insa dupa ce-si castiga supranumele acesta castigand atatea si atatea batalii pe marile lumii, Oliver simte ca vine vremea la un moment dat sa incheie capitolul musulman al existentei sale tutmultoase in care fusese aruncat si risca la un moment dat apropierea flotei ce-o conduce pana acasa in Anglia pentru a pedepsi gesturile celor doi complotisti ai sai ce-i distrusesera viata.
Sperand ca-i va prinde pe toti, anume sir John, Lionel chiar si pe Rosamund in intunericul serii apropiindu-se cu ai sai corsari si-i vor lua ca din oala pe acestia, Oliver nu reuseste sa puna mana si pe batranul cap al rautatilor, ci doar pe cei mai apropiati de el ce-l tradasera, anume femeia care astepta s-o duca la altar si fratele sau de care avusese grija si care-l vanduse. Rosamund e pastrata-ntr-un cufar special mereu in prezenta sa in corabie, dar Lionel cel firav, ce devenise deja prin sforile trase inca din acea noapte cand aranjase rapirea lui Oliver, sotul Rosamundei, caci aflase deja de aceste noutati de la mana dreapta de acum a sa, fostul pirat in grija caruia sir John il predase pe Oliver, e pus ca orice prada de razboi, la galere, sa smita si el ceva vreme cum e sa treci prin chinuril mortii ce nu vine repede ci incet, prin frig, ploaie, oboseala, sange si oase rupte fara un strop de apa si un blid de mancare aruncata la picioarele inlemnite de lanturile de la picioare cantarind mai mult decat el.
Spre final, cand ajunsi pe taram maur, sclavii luati sub protectoratul sau, sunt doriti de iscoditoarea privire napoletana a nevestei principale, sefa cadanelor emirului, cea care-i daduse acestuia pe tanarul ce urma sa-i succede dupa caz batranului intelept maur, si Oliver nu vrea sub nicio forma nici sa explice de ce acei sclavi sunt ai lui, e nevoit sa imprumute pentru achitarea sumei pe care licitate voit prea sus, direct de la emirul insusi. La intrebarile puse de emir privind importanta lor pentru Sakr el Bahr, acesta replica inteligent nu prin adevar, ci prin dovedirea fidelitatii si credintei nefatise fata de cauza musulmana sub steagul carora sir Oliver adusese multe prazi de razboi pentru arabi, lucru care-l multumi pe emir, dar nu detensiona mintea acestuia, caci intriganta sa mama a fiului succesor il manipula pe acesta din urma sa vrea cu tot dinadinsul sa descopere adevarul despre Rosamund, mai ales. Oliver il provoaca atunci pe mezinul neinitiat prea mult in arta razboiului, sa traga cu arcul de la distanta si sa-l depaseasc in precizie pe marele Sakr el Bahr, fata de care toti supusii sai aveau respect si devotiune mai mari ca pentru emirul insusi, lucru incomparabil pentru mezin ce se dorea deja sef peste tatal sau, sa traga fiecare mai intai in sclavul, Lionel, dupa ce acestuia i se taie lantul de la picioare si e aruncat in mare lasandu-i-se un minut sa ajunga cat de departe o putea pentru a se feri la o adica de sageata bine trasa de fiecare dintre cei ce acceptasera provocarea.
Ideea era ca doar atunci, sir Oliver il va lasa pe mezinul arab sa traga din apropiere asupra cufarului unde chircita dar vie astepta sluga lui Oliver in atare conditii, Rosamund, o firava spalacita europeana dupa glasul berber. Fireste ca mezinul arab in intunericul serii nu trase deloc bine cu arcul, in schimb, pentru a-si ajuta fratele pentru a-i inlesni disparitia de ochii celor de pe vas si a-l mentine totusi in viata, il ranise doar putin la unul dintre bratele din care odata vazandu-se eliberat de galere dadea repede sa ajunga cat mai departe, si reusise pana la urma. Astfel ca pariul castigat pe jumatate acum de Oliver, il multumea si mai era doar o parte din tot, ca intoarcerea in Anglia sa se produca in siguranta. Pana la urma cand decide asta, lui Lionel i se daduse atunci drumul in larg sa scape cu viata de sageata care doar il ranise sumar la brat, purtand cu el in apropiera coastelor sudice britanice dovezile notificate ale faptului ca nu Oliver fusese ucigasul acelui om mort in acea seara, de pe urma caruia i s-a tras tot complotul ce l-a adus pe el in tinuturile berbere.
Doar ca sir John construise deja o corabie, stranse echipaj si alaturi de Lionel pleca cu gandul sa o razbune pe Rosamund. Nu reuseste intocmai caci corabia-i cade initial victima flotei spaniole care va porni o ofensiva impotriva berberilor, ultima batalie descrisa, in care multi oameni cad in ghearele zeilor mortii ce ies din valurile-nspumate ale marii intunecoase si reci, Oliver e si el ranit, dar pana la urma scapa de privarea libertatilor cand berberii-s cuceriti cu flota cu tot, de faptul ca servise in trecut religia catolica si sceptrului regal spaniol. La intoarcerea in Anglia, raniti si unul si celalalt dintre frati, se reia judecarea mortii aceleia ce a cauzat marea aventura maritima a lui sir Oliver, Lionel ranit grav in ucide-n duel pe sir John si-si da duhul nu inainte de a desconspira toata implicarea in ascunderea adevarului ce se intamplase in acea noapte si relele intentii ale lui sir John.
Juriul il achita pe sir Oliver ce se poate acum bucura de toata dragostea si devotamentul printesei sale probate in lunga perioada pe care-o suportase aceasta ca sclava a sa, lucru ce-i asigurase securitatea si ocrotirea sentimentelor intr-o lume in care altfel ar fi sfarsit tragic. In sfarsit cei doi isi pot sterge lacrimile de bucurie si de fericirea ce-i asteapta intr-o viata in care intrigile ce le-au despartit de oamenii ce trasesera sforile pentru a-i tine departe s-au dus. Iar caracterul Oliver sa-si poata iubi in sfarsit femeia iubita, cu toata iertarea ce l-a izbavit si pe fratele sau de gelozia de a-l fi tradat atat pe el cat si iubirea femeii ce-i era predestinata lui si atat.
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