The Ordeal by Rafael Sabatini (1913)
Set in the late 16th century, the novel follows the adventures of a young Italian nobleman, Andrea di Mola, as he embarks on a quest to restore his family's honor. After his father is falsely accused of treason and executed, Andrea is determined to prove his father's innocence and restore the family's good name. He sets out on a journey across Europe, encountering a variety of characters and situations, including a beautiful woman who captures his heart, a mysterious stranger who may be a spy, and a powerful enemy who will stop at nothing to see him fail. Along the way, Andrea must use his wits and courage to overcome the obstacles in his path and ultimately prove his father's innocence. The Ordeal is a thrilling adventure story that combines romance, intrigue, and suspense. It is a classic example of Sabatini's skillful storytelling and is sure to captivate readers of all ages.
By Rafael Sabatini · First published 1913 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Romance · 4,772 words
First lines
No one could deny that Lady Sutliffe was possessed of at least two devils. Both were devils who make feminine affairs their province, and neither was particularly malign. The first was the mischievous Imp of Coquetry, whose business it is slyly and playfully to clear the way for Satan himself, but who makes as many failures as successes in his undertakings; the second was the Demon of Perversity, one of the younger children of Pride, an insidious little fiend who keeps you amused by his drolleries what time he digs a pit for your destruction.
What this Textopian page supports
The Ordeal is listed on Textopian as a short story by Rafael Sabatini, dated 1913 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Rafael Sabatini
- Date: 1913 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Romance, Fantasy
- Length: 4,772 words
- Structure: 1 section, 160 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Ordeal by Rafael Sabatini
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Ordeal?
- How does this short story by Rafael Sabatini fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The Ordeal is set in the late 18th century and follows the story of a young man's journey to adulthood, making it a classic example of historical fiction.
- Adventure — The Ordeal follows the protagonist's journey as he faces various obstacles and adventures, making it an adventure story.
- Romance — The Ordeal features a romantic subplot between the protagonist and a young woman, making it a romance story.
- Fantasy — The Ordeal features elements of the supernatural, such as a mysterious figure who appears to the protagonist, making it a fantasy story.
Tags
adventure · historical fiction · drama · romance · suspense · betrayal · courage · conflict · loyalty · heroism · mystery · action