Fortune's Fool (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. Historical NovelBy Rafael Sabatini
Length11h 9m
About this audiobook
Rafael Sabatini's Fortune's Fool is a richly colored historical romance set amid the unsettled politics and glittering hazards of Restoration England. Centered on the soldier-adventurer Randal Holles, the novel combines court intrigue, duels, disguises, and romantic entanglement with Sabatini's characteristic irony and narrative elegance. In the tradition of Dumas and Stevenson, it treats history not as static background but as a theatre of moral testing, where chance, wit, and courage determine a man's destiny. Sabatini, born in 1875 to Italian and English parents and educated across Europe, brought to his fiction a cosmopolitan sensibility and a command of historical atmosphere. His multilingual upbringing, theatrical family background, and deep fascination with political upheaval shaped novels such as Scaramouche, Captain Blood, and Fortune's Fool. He was especially drawn to figures who stand between allegiance and exile, honour and expediency—conditions that mirror the instability of the eras he dramatized. This book is recommended for readers who enjoy learned yet vigorous adventure fiction: elegant prose, sharp dialogue, historical texture, and a hero tested by fortune's caprice. It will particularly reward admirers of classic swashbuckling narratives with intellectual polish.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
Rating★★★★ 3.7 (133)
Includes Goodreads
GenreHistorical Fiction, Action and Adventure
Length11 hrs 9 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateJan 18, 2019
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Rupert of Hentzau (Annotated)
2Introduction
3Synopsis
4Historical Context
5CHAPTER I THE HOSTESS OF THE PAUL’S HEAD
Show all chaptersShow less
6CHAPTER II ALBEMARLE’S ANTECHAMBER
7CHAPTER III HIS GRACE OF ALBEMARLE
8CHAPTER IV CHERRY BLOSSOMS
9CHAPTER V THE MERCENARY
10CHAPTER VI MR. ETHEREDGE PRESCRIBES
11CHAPTER VII THE PRUDE
12CHAPTER VIII MR. ETHEREDGE ADVISES
13CHAPTER IX ALBEMARLE PROPOSES
14CHAPTER X BUCKINGHAM DISPOSES
15CHAPTER XI A WOMAN SCORNED
16CHAPTER XII BUCKINGHAM’S HEROICS
17CHAPTER XIII BUCKINGHAM’S GRATITUDE
18CHAPTER XIV DESPAIR
19CHAPTER XV THE SHADOW OF THE GALLOWS
20CHAPTER XVI THE SEDAN-CHAIR
21CHAPTER XVII THE ABDUCTION
22CHAPTER XVIII THE PARLEY
23CHAPTER XIX THE BATTLE
24CHAPTER XX THE CONQUEROR
25CHAPTER XXI UNDER THE RED CROSS
26CHAPTER XXII THE CRISIS
27CHAPTER XXIII THE WALLS OF PRIDE
28CHAPTER XXIV EVASION
29CHAPTER XXV HOME
30CHAPTER XXVI THE DEAD-CART
31CHAPTER XXVII THE PEST-HOUSE
32CHAPTER XXVIII JESTING FORTUNE
33CHAPTER XXIX THE MIRACLE
34Analysis
35Reflection
36Memorable Quotes
BEACH BOOKS Boxed Set: The Greatest Sea Adventure Novels, Pirate Books & Treasure-Hunt TalesRafael Sabatini, R. L. Stevenson, Daniel Defoe, Tobias Smollett, Walter Scott, Joseph Conrad, Herman Melville, Jack London, Frederick Marryat, Edgar Allan Poe, James Fenimore Cooper, Thomas Mayne Reid, Victor Hugo, R. M. Ballantyne, Jules Verne, L. Frank Baum, Randall Parrish, Charles Boardman Hawes, Rudyard Kipling, Ralph Henry Barbour, Jeffery Farnol569h 40m$0.99 · $0.00
Skull & Crossbones: 70 Pirate AdventuresRafael Sabatini, James Fenimore Cooper, Robert Louis Stevenson, Richard Le Gallienne, Daniel Defoe, Harry Collingwood, Walter Scott, B. Barker, Gilbert Parker, Joseph Conrad, Angus B. Reach, Jules Verne, L. Frank Baum, Arthur Conan Doyle, R. M. Ballantyne, Bret Harte, Jack London, Frederick Marryat, Jeffery Farnol, J. Allan Dunn, Robert E. Howard, William Hope Hodgson, William Henry Giles Kingston, G. A. Henty, Alexandre Dumas, Harold MacGrath, Frederick Ferdinand Moore, W. H. G. Kingston, John C. Hutcheson, Bracebridge Hemyng, Richard Clynton, Edmund Lester Pearson, Frank R. Stockton, Gordon Daviot, Mayne Reid, Francis Lynde, T. Jenkins Hains, Louis Becke, Mrs. S. C. Hall, Emerson Hough, Charles Dickens, Nicholas Carter, Mór Jókai, H. De Vere Stacpoole, Theodore Goodridge Roberts, Maturin M. Ballou725h 59m4.2 (11)$0.99
Bellarion the Fortunate (Annotated)Rafael Sabatini17h 12m4.4 (10)$2 · $0.00
The Captain Blood Trilogy (Annotated)Rafael Sabatini29h 20m4.6 (1K)$3 · $0.00
CAPTAIN BLOOD & THE SEA HAWK (Annotated)Rafael Sabatini26h 54m$2 · $0.00
Scaramouche (Annotated)Rafael Sabatini15h 24m4.6 (1.8K)$2 · $0.00
The Black Swan (Annotated)Rafael Sabatini9h 28m4.5 (1K)$2 · $0.00
Torquemada and the Spanish Inquisition (Annotated)Rafael Sabatini12h 47m3.8 (84)$2 · $0.00
Love-at-Arms (Annotated)Rafael Sabatini10h 20m3.9 (268)$2 · $0.00
Venetian MasqueRafael Sabatini11h 56m4.1 (111)$1 · $0.00
The Banner of the BullRafael Sabatini7h 29m4.0 (70)$2 · $0.00
The Marquis of CarabasRafael Sabatini13h 59m4.1 (148)$2 · $0.00
The TyrantRafael Sabatini5h 13m4.4 (10)$2 · $0.00
The Lion's SkinRafael Sabatini9h 27m3.9 (289)$2 · $0.00
The Outlaw and the Lady and Other StoriesRafael Sabatini3h 39m$2 · $0.00
The Tavern KnightRafael Sabatini8h 32m3.6 (452)$2 · $0.00
St. Martin's SummerRafael Sabatini10h 28m4.0 (188)$2 · $0.00
Collected Stories Vol. IIRafael Sabatini16h 11m$1 · $0.00
Torquemada and the Spanish InquisitionRafael Sabatini13h 30m3.8 (84)$1.50 · $0.00
Ivanhoe (Annotated)Walter Scott22h 52m4.8 (88)$2 · $0.00
Scaramouche (Annotated)Rafael Sabatini15h 24m4.6 (1.8K)$2 · $0.00
Northern ShadowsDaniel Greene12h 52m4.7 (281)$23
The Ghost by the Billabong (The Matilda Saga, #5)Jackie French14h 58m4.6 (773)$33 · $0.00
The Labyrinth of the SpiritsCarlos Ruiz Zafon27h 55m4.5 (77.2K)$53 · $0.00
The Things We Cannot SayKelly Rimmer13h 48m4.5 (359.1K)$33 · $0.00
Their Castilian OrphanAnna Belfrage14h 45m4.7 (122)$27
Lieutenant Hornblower (Annotated)C. S. Forester11h 41m4.5 (2.9K)$2 · $0.00
Eagles over BritainLee Jackson12h 26m4.5 (18.6K)$23
Rilla of InglesideLucy Maud Montgomery11h 44m4.5 (48.2K)$2 · $0.00
The Viennese DressmakerKathryn Gauci11h 46m4.5 (2.1K)$23 · $0.00
The Man in the Brown Suit & They Came to BaghdadAgatha Christie15h 43m4.6 (495)$33 · $0.00
Under the Light of the Italian MoonJennifer Anton12h 28m4.5 (5.3K)$23 · $0.00
Jubilee, 50th Anniversary EditionMargaret Walker15h 43m4.5 (9.5K)$25 · $0.00
Arch of TriumphErich Maria Remarque15h 51m4.4 (36.6K)$28
Serenade for NadiaZülfü Livaneli9h 9m4.4 (20.1K)$20
Pride and PrejudiceJane Austen14h 44m4.4 (4.7M)$2 · $0.00
Flying Colours (Annotated)Cecil Louis Troughton Smith9h 26m4.4 (10.1K)$2 · $0.00
With Love from HarlemReShonda Tate13h 48m4.5 (2K)$6 · $0.00
Under the Java MoonHeather B. Moore12h 23m4.4 (3.2K)$23
CollateralBrian Andrews, Jeffrey Wilson13h 8m4.6 (7K)$23
War LordBernard Cornwell13h 21m4.6 (33.1K)$33 · $0.00
Something Like LoveBeverly Jenkins10h 21m4.6 (2.7K)$29 · $0.00
The Newly Witch GameRobyn Peterman4h 39m4.7 (549)$15
Louis L’Amour’s Trio of TalesLouis L’Amour2h 8m4.7 (262)$10
Scaramouche (Annotated)Rafael Sabatini15h 24m4.6 (1.8K)$2 · $0.00
Northern ShadowsDaniel Greene12h 52m4.7 (281)$23
Jubal Stone: U.S. Marshal: Blood Trail To Hell: A Western Adventure NovelCasey Nash3h 42m4.6 (3.2K)$18 · $0.00
Can’t Ride Around ItAnn Charles, Sam Lucky10h 13m4.6 (796)$25
Punk’s FightWard Carroll10h 28m4.6 (796)$20
Sons of Valor IV: False FlagJeffrey Wilson, Brian Andrews11h 47m4.6 (1.1K)$25
The Labyrinth of the SpiritsCarlos Ruiz Zafon27h 55m4.5 (77.2K)$53 · $0.00
Ship of the Line (Annotated)Cecil Louis Troughton Smith11h 13m4.6 (1K)$2 · $0.00
Sons of War 3: SinnersNicholas Sansbury Smith12h 40m4.6 (1.7K)$23
Sons of War 4: SoldiersNicholas Sansbury Smith, Tom Abrahams12h 54m4.6 (507)$25
The Road to Gundagai (The Matilda Saga, #3)Jackie French12h 31m4.6 (1.2K)$33 · $0.00
The Skull of the WorldKate Forsyth10h 28m4.5 (3.8K)$20
TimelessR. A. Salvatore12h 30m4.5 (8K)$33 · $0.00
Hang Them SlowlyWilliam W. Johnstone9h 22m4.5 (609)$20
The Quantum ChainNick Jones12h 59m4.5 (6K)$23
You may also like
Rob Roy (Unabridged)Walter Scott19h 41m3.8 (13.7K)$2 · $0.00
The Complete Novels of Walter ScottWalter Scott527h 32m4.5 (628)$1 · $0.00
Saint Bartholomew's Eve: A Tale of the Huguenot WarsG. A. Henty14h 7m4.0 (787)$2 · $0.00
With Fire and SwordHenryk Sienkiewicz36h 1m4.2 (8.1K)$1 · $0.00
The RefugeesArthur Conan Doyle13h 21m4.0 (364)$2.30
Golden LionWilbur Smith, Giles Kristian12h 33m4.0 (10.1K)$33 · $0.00
When a witch is youngPhilip Verrill Mighels12h 1m$2 · $0.00
CAPTAIN BLOOD & THE SEA HAWK (Annotated)Rafael Sabatini26h 54m$2 · $0.00
The Devil's Own (Annotated)Randall Parrish10h 37m$2 · $0.00
The Flag of the AdventurerSydney C. Grier12h 28m$2 · $0.00
The Indian ScoutGustave Aimard14h 7m$2 · $0.00
KIDNAPPED and Its Sequel, Catriona (Illustrated)Robert Louis Stevenson19h 48m3.9 (714)$2 · $0.00
Rule of the Monk; Or, Rome in the Nineteenth CenturyGiuseppe Garibaldi10h 6m$2 · $0.00
The RivermanStewart Edward White12h 47m4.0 (20)$1 · $0.00
The Secret History of Black America – 3 Classic Slavery Fiction NovelsWilliam Wells Brown, J. T. Trowbridge, Sutton E. Griggs24h 8m$2
The Young RajahWilliam Henry Giles Kingston7h 24m3.4 (18)$1 · $0.00
![Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — Complete](https://img.elevenreader.io/TrNmBz_mFFOaBjnZ8oXJYJSN92NSOu4iL1wC2tARVkw/thumbnail/Z3M6Ly9lbGV2ZW4tcHVibGljLWNkbi9kYXRhYmFzZS9yZWFkcy84V1ZYQzVPMG1mQzFtaVQ2ckxrVi90aHVtYm5haWwud2VicA/gilbert-parker-michel-and-angele-a-ladder-of-swords-complete-audiobook-v-1782945928.webp)
Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — CompleteGilbert Parker5h 25m3.6 (39)$2 · $0.00
On the Field of Glory (Annotated)Henryk Sienkiewicz12h 29m4.4 (21)$0.99 · $0.00
The Desert Trail (Annotated)Dane Coolidge7h 45m4.3 (12)$2 · $0.00
The path of honor: A tale of the war in the BocageBurton Egbert Stevenson8h 17m$2 · $0.00