Scan barcode
deltatime's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
njk125's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jeffreyk's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
juliasilge's review against another edition
4.0
This is the 11th installment in the Napoleonic-era British naval adventures of Jack Aubrey and his doctor/spy friend Stephen Maturin, and it certainly lives up to everything that has come before it. The book starts almost immediately where [b:The Far Side of the World|672492|The Far Side of the World (Aubrey/Maturin Book 10)|Patrick O'Brian|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1177002658s/672492.jpg|19475] left off, with the Surprise very far off from home, having gone around the Cape into the Pacific. After a bit of rousing seagoing adventure as the crew heads home, the remainder of the book takes place back on land in England. The constant financial/legal troubles that have plagued Jack whenever he is on shore come to a disastrous climax with terrible consequences, and Stephen deals with heartbreak in his personal life and is obstructed in his work as a spy. Basically, things are going AWRY; it is an engrossing, erudite read but not a cheerful one. For whatever reason, I just flew through this book (in a matter of 3 days, I think) and like its predecessors, this one ended with a superdramatic cliffhanger doozy of a final paragraph or two, so I am off to get the next one from the library ASAP.
greybeard49's review against another edition
5.0
Rereading all O'Brian's 'Aubrey/Maturin' series at the moment. My favourite writer and series of books ever I think.
O'Brian is such a skilful author. He combines a frighteningly comprehensive knowledge of his subject and period, he writes in the VERNACULAR of the time and does it so well that you have to remind yourself that he is doing so, dialogue is crackling and completely convincing and his characters are entirely engaging. To crown it all, he turns out original and riveting storylines one after another. Literature at it's best.
GENIUS!!
O'Brian is such a skilful author. He combines a frighteningly comprehensive knowledge of his subject and period, he writes in the VERNACULAR of the time and does it so well that you have to remind yourself that he is doing so, dialogue is crackling and completely convincing and his characters are entirely engaging. To crown it all, he turns out original and riveting storylines one after another. Literature at it's best.
GENIUS!!
wearsteel's review against another edition
5.0
Treat yourself to a single stop in a so far series of delight.
leesmyth's review against another edition
5.0
This is a wonderful book, filled with twists and turns and shrewd observations and chickens coming home to roost. We get a look at English justice (both naval and landlubber varieties) in perhaps their worst possible incarnations. Sophie shines in her tactful way of putting Jack at ease about a sensitive issue, providing face-saving reassurance. And some powerfully moving scenes, where people come through for those in need, in creative and practical ways.
In today's reading, two passages jumped out as suitable for sharing here:
p. 209: 'If the gentlemen would like to eat their dinner while it is hot,' said Sir Joseph's housekeeper in a carefully restrained voice, 'perhaps they will come now.' [...] 'Could we not eat it in our hand?' asked Stephen. 'Like a sandwich?' 'No, sir, you could not,' said Mrs Barlow. 'A soufflé is not a sandwich. Though it may be very like a pancake if you do not come directly.'
p. 210: 'Tell me, Maturin, do you find wealth affect[s] you?' 'When I remember it, I do: and I find its effects almost entirely discreditable. I feel better than other men, superior to them, richer in every way – richer in wisdom, virtue, worth, knowledge, intelligence, understanding, common sense, in everything except perhaps beauty, God help us.'
In today's reading, two passages jumped out as suitable for sharing here:
p. 209: 'If the gentlemen would like to eat their dinner while it is hot,' said Sir Joseph's housekeeper in a carefully restrained voice, 'perhaps they will come now.' [...] 'Could we not eat it in our hand?' asked Stephen. 'Like a sandwich?' 'No, sir, you could not,' said Mrs Barlow. 'A soufflé is not a sandwich. Though it may be very like a pancake if you do not come directly.'
p. 210: 'Tell me, Maturin, do you find wealth affect[s] you?' 'When I remember it, I do: and I find its effects almost entirely discreditable. I feel better than other men, superior to them, richer in every way – richer in wisdom, virtue, worth, knowledge, intelligence, understanding, common sense, in everything except perhaps beauty, God help us.'