Ever read CUP OF GOLD by John Steinbeck? I read it many years ago and thought it was one of the worst novels Steinbeck had ever written.
I found a paperback copy retitled (I believe) “The pirate Morgan”. It was bad-d-d-d-d!
The stories of Rafiel Sabatini were far better.
Funny, though not good, I thought “Cup of Gold” was the least-worst Steinbeck I ever read. I was forced to read “Grapes of Wrath” and “Of Mice and Men” at school and hated both with a passion.