Customer Reviews

The Marquis of Carabas: 9.95

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I have a copy of this book in a 1960's Ballantine Press edition under the title Man-At-Arms. The book itself is quite good. It has all the qualities you expect in a Sabatini novel, although the actual amount of action in this book is a bit less than in the average Sabatini novel. The focus is more on political intrigue, as it involves a man living in England who discovers that he is really a french noble. Unfortunately for him, the French Revolution is in full swing, and his attempts to claim what is rightfully his are continually thwarted by both the revolutionaries and the jealous french nobles in exile who want his inheritance for themselves. Sabatini's diligent historical research shines through yet again in this novel, and his clear and engaging prose are in excellent form. The only thing missing is the near omniscince of the main character. In many of Sabatini's books (e.g. Scaramouche, Captain Blood, The Black Swan, etc.) the main character is set apart from the other characters by his incredible intelligence and intimate knowledge of human motivation, allowing him to manipulate people and circumstances to repeatedly thwart his enemies. In this book, the main character is more a normal person, and as such is both more accessable to the reader yet at the same time slighly less interesting to read about. While certainly not his best book, nearly all of Sabatini's books will be enjoyable for those who enjoy a good swashbuckler novel.

MOST PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW THAT THIS IS THE SAME STORY WITH A DIFFERENT TITLE AS SABATINI'S " MAN AT ARMS ". EXCELLANT STORY LINE.