Rafael Sabatini

March 15, 2006
Gr. 9-12. This thirteenth volume in the Graphic Classics series offers adaptations of eight works by the early-twentieth-century author of such classic adventure-romance stories as " Scaramouche" and " Captain Blood." Densely illustrated in black-and-white panels, the stories, retold by diverse writers and illustrators, range in style from realistic to cartoonlike, achieving continuity through their period details and appropriately archaic prose. A lengthy, straightforward account of Peter Blood's progress from conscientious doctor to slave to buccaneer captain leads off, followed by a lively biography of Sabatini himself, which combines personal information with witty asides and pop-culture references. "The Dream" is a provocative psychological mystery in which hypnosis plays a part. Author and artists profiles close this book, which comics fans can enjoy on their own or as an adjunct to literature studies. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2006, American Library Association.)