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Captain Blood: His Odyssey

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1922

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Book Brief

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Rafael Sabatini

Captain Blood

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1922
Book Details
Pages

341

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Caribbean • 17th century

Publication Year

1922

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

14-18 years

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Super Short Summary

Captain Blood: His Odyssey follows Peter Blood, an Irish doctor turned soldier, who transforms from an enslaved convict in Barbados to a feared pirate captain in the Spanish Main and ultimately a British naval hero. Set in the 1680s, the narrative charts his journey through treacherous waters, illustrating his cunning, humanity, and chivalry, leading to personal freedom and love. The source material includes racist language, ethnic and religious prejudices, and depictions of violence, including sexual assault and slavery.

Adventurous

Romantic

Exciting

Bittersweet

Humorous

Reviews & Readership

4.3

18,392 ratings

80%

Loved it

16%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Captain Blood by Rafael Sabatini garners praise for its gripping adventure, well-crafted characters, and historical accuracy. Critics laud its masterful blend of romance and swashbuckling action. However, some find the pacing uneven and the language archaic. Overall, it's a captivating read for fans of historical fiction and adventure.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Captain Blood?

Fans of Captain Blood by Rafael Sabatini would likely enjoy historical adventure novels with a strong, charismatic protagonist, similar to Alexandre Dumas' The Three Musketeers or Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island. Readers appreciating tales of swashbuckling, daring escapades set in richly detailed historical contexts will find this book captivating.

4.3

18,392 ratings

80%

Loved it

16%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Character List

Peter Blood

An Irish-English country doctor who becomes a pirate and eventually a government official, displaying a complex personality marked by contrasts and contradictions.

A compassionate and principled Englishwoman living in Barbados, who shows interest in the protagonist and seeks to protect him due to her disdain for injustice.

Blood's loyal friend and sidekick, who supports him and provides critical assistance in their shared adventures by navigating and documenting their journeys.

The antagonist who oversees a plantation in Barbados, characterized by his malevolent and entitled demeanor, especially toward those he enslaves.

A morally dubious Spanish gentleman involved in raiding and pillaging, whose actions propel the plot and interactions with the protagonist.

The more circumspect brother of Don Diego, whose vendetta against Blood leads to pivotal plot developments.

A flamboyant and brutish French pirate captain whose partnership with Blood is tense and adversarial, ultimately leading to conflict.

A refined and observant gentleman from King James's court who becomes involved in the protagonist's story as a rival and ally.

A haughty French nobleman leading King Louis's forces in America, whose tactical errors and duplicity contribute to the narrative's conflicts.

Book Details
Pages

341

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Caribbean • 17th century

Publication Year

1922

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

14-18 years

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