The Uskok
A tale of love, betrayal and intrigue
Published on 1. June 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
220 pages
978-1-911501-28-2 (ISBN)
Description
In the elegant yet treacherous world of seventeenth century Venice, young nobleman Orio Soranzo has squandered his fortune, his reputation, and the patience of those who once championed him. Only by marrying Giovanna-the brilliant, beautiful heiress he adores-can he regain both fortune and favour.
Seeking to reclaim honour in an age shadowed by war, Soranzo hurls himself into perilous ventures against the Turks-unaware that his quest for redemption will entangle him in a web of betrayal, shifting alliances, and dark deeds.
As pirates stalk the seas, Giovanna dares to join Soranzo at the forbidding island fortress he commands. Swept into a storm by the arrival of an old friend, fate unleashes a terrible reckoning none could foresee.
Bringing this long forgotten jewel of early nineteenth century historical fiction to English readers for the first time in more than a century, Lynne Forest's vivid new translation restores a tale of passion, intrigue, and conflict that pulses with the energy of a glittering Venice that was once at the centre of the world.
Seeking to reclaim honour in an age shadowed by war, Soranzo hurls himself into perilous ventures against the Turks-unaware that his quest for redemption will entangle him in a web of betrayal, shifting alliances, and dark deeds.
As pirates stalk the seas, Giovanna dares to join Soranzo at the forbidding island fortress he commands. Swept into a storm by the arrival of an old friend, fate unleashes a terrible reckoning none could foresee.
Bringing this long forgotten jewel of early nineteenth century historical fiction to English readers for the first time in more than a century, Lynne Forest's vivid new translation restores a tale of passion, intrigue, and conflict that pulses with the energy of a glittering Venice that was once at the centre of the world.
Reviews / Votes
Reviews of other George Sand novels:Henry James on Mauprat - "a solid, masterly, manly book" - a strong endorsement from a major English-language writer of the 19th century about one of Sand's most ambitious novels.
On Consuelo: Walt Whitman is reported to have considered it "the finest novel he had ever read," praising its scale and emotional breadth.
On Consuelo: "a sprawling, romantic, mystical epic," capturing its emotional and adventurous scope. The StoryGraph
A Goodreads review of Lelia describes it as "George Sand's autobiographical portrait of a passionate woman who is unable to love," reflecting how readers see its psychological intensity. Goodreads
A review note for Valentine praises Sand's craft: "George Sand constructed and managed her plot beautifully... brought the countryside to life with wonderfully rich detail." Goodreads
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-911501-28-2 (9781911501282)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
George Sand (1804-1876) a French novelist, memoirist and journalist. Being more renowned than either Victor Hugo or Honore de Balzac in Britain in the 1830s and 1840s, Sand is recognised as one of the most notable writers of the European Romantic era. She has more than 50 volumes of various works to her credit, including stories, plays and political texts, alongside her 70 novels.
Like her great-grandmother, Louise Dupin, whom she admired, George Sand advocated for women's rights and passion, criticized the institution of marriage, and fought against the prejudices of a conservative society. She was considered scandalous because of her turbulent love life, her adoption of masculine clothing, and her masculine pseudonym.
Lynne Forest is a Professor in English Literature at the University of Technology in Compiegne, France. She is also a translator of novels and has co-written French textbooks such as TOEIC: testez-vous! (2013) and Reussir le TOEIC (2011). Published work includes: Le
Voyage de Monsieur Raminet, Daniel Rocher /Monsieur Raminet's Long Voyage by Daniel Rocher 2014, Les Editions du Net.
Like her great-grandmother, Louise Dupin, whom she admired, George Sand advocated for women's rights and passion, criticized the institution of marriage, and fought against the prejudices of a conservative society. She was considered scandalous because of her turbulent love life, her adoption of masculine clothing, and her masculine pseudonym.
Lynne Forest is a Professor in English Literature at the University of Technology in Compiegne, France. She is also a translator of novels and has co-written French textbooks such as TOEIC: testez-vous! (2013) and Reussir le TOEIC (2011). Published work includes: Le
Voyage de Monsieur Raminet, Daniel Rocher /Monsieur Raminet's Long Voyage by Daniel Rocher 2014, Les Editions du Net.
Content
Author bio
Translator bio
Introduction
Novel
Translator bio
Introduction
Novel