‘The Black Swan’ by Rafael Sabatini (1962) | Olde Timey Book Review

Book Reviewed: The Black Swan by Raphael Sabatini (London: Pan Books, 1962)

Enticed by the vibrant cover illustration, in this Olde Timey Book Review I examine a 1962 reprint of The Black Swan by Rafael Sabatini. This reprint was one of many Pan Books editions that reflect the early days of the mass-market paperback format. Starting in the mid-40s, these editions were made to be cheap, portable, and compelling little volumes that used colourful cover illustrations and a uniform brand design to tempt readers to pick up their books.

In this review I also discuss Sabatini as a popular historical adventure author and the film adaptations of his work.

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Olde Timey Book Review is a series examining vintage books, focusing on them as cultural artefacts within their historical context rather than solely on the texts themselves. These videos are for people interested in literary heritage and in discovering the peculiar variety of topics that authors have approached, each in their own unique style.

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