Sard Harker: A novel

"Sard Harker: A Novel" by John Masefield is an early 20th-century adventure that throws us into the politically charged world of Santa Barbara where we meet Sard Harker, a sharp-witted young man navigating his life at sea and his burning desire for revenge, all while trying to reconnect with a woman from his past. The story is full of adventure, love, and sneaky political schemes. Harker’s journey is all about finding himself and what he's meant to do as he seeks to reunite with the woman of his dreams. We begin in Las Palomas, a tense port city ruled by the ex-dictator Don Manuel, and learn about Sard’s past—raised by his mom after his dad died—and how he chose the sea, leaving his old life behind. The author uses Sard's character to remember a dream about an encounter with Los Xicales, a mansion that represents his yearnings. As he thinks about his dream, the anticipation builds, hinting at the twists and turns to come as Sard juggles his memories and life at sea.