Mistress Wilding [Paperback]

Rafael Sabatini (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 8, 2009

Mistress Wilding was first published in 1910 with the title Arms and the Maid or Anthony Wilding. The title was later changed for the American publication. The book has an excellent plot filled with bits of bright humor and historical accuracy. The Protestant rebellion of the Duke of Monmouth against James II is the setting. For much of the book the reader is not totally sure who will be the hero and who the villain.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Italian born English writer of historical-romance novels. He was born in Jesi, Italy. He got his education in Switzerland and Portugal. His novels are highly dramatic and imaginative. He wrote historical and adventure romances. Scaramouche was his biggest success. This brilliant novel became an international best-seller. Captain Blood was equally successful. His other works include: The Tavern Knight (1904), The Sea Hawk (1915), The Carolinian (1924), The Hounds of God (1928), The Black Swan (1932), The Lost King (1937). --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Book Jungle (June 8, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1438518781
• ISBN-13: 978-1438518787
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,856,920 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More historical suspense...., September 6, 2008

By 

Seven Kitties "7kitties" (Blue Point, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mistress Wilding (Paperback)

Imagine a soap opera where the young lady hates the dashing hero for his roguish reputation, her brother hates him because he won't be able to enjoy his partying lifestyle when the hero weds the girl, and another young man, a broke gambler, sees his financial salvation in thwarting the hero and marrying the lady ('s fortune) himself. Then add the backdrop of the Duke of Monmouth's return during the reign of King James, so there's rebellion, insurrection and treachery on all sides. That's pretty much what this title gives you, along with a healthy dose of Sabatini-style chivalry.

It's a rollicking read--you never know what's going to happen next, but suspect it'll keep getting worse and worse for our hero. Yes, the characters are a little unround and not far from 'types', but for tense plotting and a very Victorian moral code welded to history, you can't beat Sabatini. It's not his *best*, but it's still a great ride!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not Captain Blood, but still good, January 4, 2007

By 

Gialdini (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mistress Wilding (Paperback)

Chronicling the fortunes of Anthony Wilding as he attempts to woo his lady and help the Duke of Monmouth in his uprising against King James, this book was an entertaining read. There's romance and adventure, intrigue and suspense. It was also interesting to have a story that kind of overlapped with the story of Captain Blood, who was wrongly condemned for involvement in the Monmouth uprising... for those of you who are ridiculously obsessed with Captain Blood, like myself : ) Overall, I'd recommend this though, if you can get your hands on it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Among the best of Sabatini's early works., February 10, 2008

By 

volodyovsky "volodyovsky" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mistress Wilding (Hardcover)

Although certainly not on a par with the author's more famous works, Captain Blood, Scaramouche or The Sea Hawk, Mistress Wilding (first published in 1910 under the title Arms and the Maid or Anthony Wilding) can be ranked among the best of Sabatini's early novels. In it are all the seeds of his later genius: a tight and twisting plot, historical accuracy, sparkling dialogue and plenty of lively humor. As with Cpt. Blood, the story takes place during the ill-fated Protestant rebellion of the Duke of Monmouth against James II. The characters are carefully drawn, though the protagonists are not quite as appealing as in other novels. What makes the story unique is that we really do not know who will be the hero and who the villain until the latter third of the book. Perhaps that is why Sabatini changed the title for the American edition. Not the best the author has to offer, but Sabatini fans will love it, as will lovers of historical romance.