Captain Alatriste - Hardcover
The first in a magnificent series of historical novels from the acclaimed, bestselling author of The Club Dumas and The Queen of the South.
Captain Alatriste is the story of a fictional seventeenth-century Spanish soldier who, after being wounded in battle during the Thirty Years' War, is forced to retire from the army. Now he lives the comparatively tame-though hardly quiet-life of a swordsman-for-hire in Madrid. Approached with an offer of work, Alatriste is told to go with another hired blade to an unfamiliar part of the city at midnight and wait. They are received by men who explain that they want Alatriste and his companion to ambush two travelers the following evening, stage a robbery, and give the men a fright. "No blood," they are told.
But then a third figure enters the room. He says the job requires some clarification: he increases the pay, and tells them that, instead, they must murder the two travelers. Then he reveals his identity: Emilio Bocanegra. It is a name synonymous with the Spanish Inquisition, the bloodiest name in Europe. This is a man whose requests cannot be denied.
But the following night, with the attack imminent, it becomes clear to Alatriste that these aren't ordinary travelers. And what happens next is only the first in a series of riveting twists and turns, with implications that will reverberate throughout the courts of Europe.
For anyone who loves the work of Arturo Pirez-Reverte-and those who have not yet discovered the delights of this extraordinary writer-Captain Alatriste is one of the most stylish, singular pleasures to come along in years.
Captain Alatriste is the story of a fictional seventeenth-century Spanish soldier who, after being wounded in battle during the Thirty Years' War, is forced to retire from the army. Now he lives the comparatively tame-though hardly quiet-life of a swordsman-for-hire in Madrid. Approached with an offer of work, Alatriste is told to go with another hired blade to an unfamiliar part of the city at midnight and wait. They are received by men who explain that they want Alatriste and his companion to ambush two travelers the following evening, stage a robbery, and give the men a fright. "No blood," they are told.
But then a third figure enters the room. He says the job requires some clarification: he increases the pay, and tells them that, instead, they must murder the two travelers. Then he reveals his identity: Emilio Bocanegra. It is a name synonymous with the Spanish Inquisition, the bloodiest name in Europe. This is a man whose requests cannot be denied.
But the following night, with the attack imminent, it becomes clear to Alatriste that these aren't ordinary travelers. And what happens next is only the first in a series of riveting twists and turns, with implications that will reverberate throughout the courts of Europe.
For anyone who loves the work of Arturo Pirez-Reverte-and those who have not yet discovered the delights of this extraordinary writer-Captain Alatriste is one of the most stylish, singular pleasures to come along in years.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
From the Back Cover:
"A twenty-first century literary phenomenon . . . The clash and dash are thrilling; the swordplay is a bonus. A-."
—Entertainment Weekly
"Written with courtly panache and contagious enthusiasm."
—The New York Times
"A pleasure of swash, buckle, and atmosphere."
—Kirkus Reviews
"A winning swashbuckler . . . Popular entertainment at its best."
—Publishers Weekly
About the Author:
—Entertainment Weekly
"Written with courtly panache and contagious enthusiasm."
—The New York Times
"A pleasure of swash, buckle, and atmosphere."
—Kirkus Reviews
"A winning swashbuckler . . . Popular entertainment at its best."
—Publishers Weekly
Arturo Perez-Reverte lives near Madrid. Originally a war correspondent, he now writes fiction full-time. His novels include The Flanders Panel, The Club Dumas, The Fencing Master, The Seville Communion, The Nautical Chart, and The Queen of the South. In 2002, he was elected to the Spanish Royal Academy.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherIsis Publishing Ltd
- Publication date2006
- ISBN 10 0753175797
- ISBN 13 9780753175798
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages232
- Rating
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