L'Uscoque

by George Sand

"L'Uscoque" by George Sand is a historical novella published in 1838. Set against the backdrop of seventeenth-century Adriatic piracy, the story centers on an Uscoque—one of the feared Dalmatian pirates who terrorized the seas. Through a frame narrative, a character claims to have known Lord Byron and reveals the true story behind the Uscoque, arguing that Byron's romantic portrayal in "The Corsair" failed to capture the dangerous reality of these maritime outlaws. The tale captivated young readers including Dostoevsky, who described being "enfiévré" after reading it.