Rating: 5/5
Review:
The nineteenth in a brilliant series
This
is now my third time reading through this brilliant series and I am
reminded again how beautifully written and how wonderfully,
addictively enjoyable they are.
Following the Peace and paying off of much of the Royal Navy, Napoleon has escaped from Elba and war is again upon Jack and Steven. They and the Surprise find themselves ordered to the Mediterranean again to harass and thwart Bonaparte’s plans to build more ships and reinforce his troops in Europe. There is plenty of action, plenty of political intrigue (perhaps in a tad too much detail at times) and, of course, Steven’s pursuit of natural philosophy wherever he finds himself. It’s another fine, absorbing instalment. It begins, too, with a masterstroke of storytelling as we learn of the death of a significant character which has taken place offstage, as it were, since the end of The Yellow Admiral. It is rather like a Greek Chorus and is remarkably effective and affecting.
Following the Peace and paying off of much of the Royal Navy, Napoleon has escaped from Elba and war is again upon Jack and Steven. They and the Surprise find themselves ordered to the Mediterranean again to harass and thwart Bonaparte’s plans to build more ships and reinforce his troops in Europe. There is plenty of action, plenty of political intrigue (perhaps in a tad too much detail at times) and, of course, Steven’s pursuit of natural philosophy wherever he finds himself. It’s another fine, absorbing instalment. It begins, too, with a masterstroke of storytelling as we learn of the death of a significant character which has taken place offstage, as it were, since the end of The Yellow Admiral. It is rather like a Greek Chorus and is remarkably effective and affecting.
Patrick
O'Brian is steeped in the period of the early 19th Century and his
knowledge of the language, manners, politics, social mores and naval
matters of the time is deep and wide. Combined with a magnificent
gift for both prose and storytelling, it makes something very special
indeed. The books are so perfectly paced, with some calmer, quieter
but still engrossing passages and some quite thrilling action
sequences. O'Brian's handling of language is masterly, with the
dialogue being especially brilliant, but also things like the way his
sentences become shorter and more staccato in the action passages,
making them heart-poundingly exciting. There are also laugh-out-loud
moments and an overall sense of sheer involvement and pleasure in
reading.
I cannot recommend these books too highly. They are that rare thing; fine literature which are also books which I can't wait to read more of. Wonderful stuff.
I cannot recommend these books too highly. They are that rare thing; fine literature which are also books which I can't wait to read more of. Wonderful stuff.
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