Number 13
Last week I decided to take part in the Classics Club Spin. The rules were simple – list twenty books from your Classics Club list, number them 1 to 20, and the number announced today (Monday) represents the book you have to read before 5th January 2015.
The number that has been selected this time is 13, which means the book I’ll be reading is:
Bellarion by Rafael Sabatini
Bellarion is a historical adventure novel published in 1926 and set in 15th century Italy. This is the synopsis:
Bellarion, a young man set on joining the priesthood, is diverted from his calling to serve the Princess Valeria. He remains with her for five years, serving her faithfully despite her cold response. Yet when the time comes for him to leave, they both find that the passion and romance of Italy has left its mark…
I loved the other two Sabatini novels I’ve read (Scaramouche and Captain Blood) so I couldn’t be happier with this result!
Did you take part in the spin? What will you be reading?
She Reads Novels 
That sounds fantastic. I’ve heard great things about both of the other books you mentioned, but I’ve never heard of this one. Which one would you recommend starting with?
I landed with Crime and Punishment. 🙂
Scaramouche was my favourite of the two, so I would definitely recommend starting with that one. Good luck with Crime and Punishment!
I hope you enjoy this. I know how much you enjoyed the other Sabatini novels you’ve read 🙂
Thanks! I’m hoping to enjoy this one as much as the other two I’ve read.
Now ‘Scaramouche’ I have heard of. It was the author I didn’t recognise. I don’t feel quite such an idiot now.
I wasn’t familiar with Sabatini until fairly recently myself. I think Scaramouche is one of those books people tend to be aware of without knowing who wrote it.
Fun! I got Bliss and Other Stories by Katherine Mansfield. Short stories are just right for my attention span at the moment.
I haven’t read anything by Katherine Mansfield though I would like to. I hope you enjoy it!
I’ve never heard of this book, and the author’s name doesn’t ring a bell either, so I’m looking forward to your review to learn more. The synopsis sounds great. I got Graham Greene’s The End of the Affair, which I wanted to read for a while now, so I am very happy with it.
I don’t think Sabatini is very widely read anymore, which is a shame as his books are fantastic!
That sounds wonderful – I’ve been meaning to read Sabatini since you first wrote about him, and I really must soon.
I think you might like Scaramouche. There are a lot of similarities with The Count of Monte Cristo. 🙂
I’ve never heard of this book…I hope it’s a good one!!! Can’t wait to read your review of it. 🙂
It’s not one of his better known books, but I’m hoping I’ll enjoy it as much as the other two I’ve read.
Oh fun! I loved Scaramouche so I’m sure this one will be entertaining. Set in 15th century Italy? What can be more fascinating than that? 🙂
I don’t really know anything about this book but I’m hoping for another entertaining read like Scaramouche!
I need to try Scaramouche again! I haven’t heard of this one, so I’ll look forward to your review.
I hadn’t heard of it either until I read Scaramouche and looked into what else Sabatini had written. I’m looking forward to reading it!
I look forward to your thoughts on this one. I also loved Sabatini’s other 2 novels, possibly because they were impeccably read in my audio version.
I read Scaramouche and Captain Blood in physical book format, but I’m glad to hear the audio versions are good too.