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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
One of the blurbs on the back of my library copy of this book says that the pleasures of this series "defy enumeration", and that is so, so true. The richly researched historical setting, the quiet/smart humor, the truly amazing characters, the stylish writing, the exciting stories... This installment is a more rousing, swashbuckling adventure full of excitement than #15, which was a more character-driven tale, and it is a wonderful one, at that. I loved Stephen hiking the high Andes, the pirates, the underwater volcano (I don't think that's spoiler-y, given that it is pictured in the cover art on my library copy), and lovely big battles with American ships. And wow, after reading [b:Desolation Island|77425|Desolation Island (Aubrey/Maturin Book 5)|Patrick O'Brian|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266467189s/77425.jpg|2366490], I can't read about them sailing through the icebergs in the Antarctic waters with any equanimity. Edge of my seat!
As I make my way through this series I no longer read the previews & on this occasion I am glad. This book can stand alone or apart of the ongoing Captain’s & Doctors adventure. I found it unsettling & wide ranging but enjoyed each & every step.
p. 58: "'I do not have to tell you, my dear,' [Stephen] went on, 'that although I speak in this high ascetic way about money, I do not, never have, despise a competence: it is the relation of superfluity to happiness that is my text, and I am holier than thou only after two hundred pounds a year."
p. 65: "by dividing the [purser's] work between them they accomplished both it and their own specific duties quite well, particularly as the anomalous status of the Surprise meant that her accounts would never have to pass the slow, circumspect eyes of the Victualling Office, for whom all persons in charge of His Majesty's stores were guilty of embezzlement until with countersigned dockets of every conceivable nature they could prove their innocence."
p. 200: "One slight consolation was that by now only a few of the more froward llamas spat at [Stephen]."
p. 211: "'How long does it take to fall a thousand feet?' [Stephen] asked himself[...]. 'Long enough to make an act of contrition, at all events,' he said, abandoning the answer of seven hours and odd seconds as absurd."
p. 256, Jack to Stephen after some ill-advised witticisms on what his fellow Surprises, in their resourceful desperation, have managed to rig up in lieu of actual masts and sails: "And if ever you intend to be complimentary, you might be well advised just to throw up your hands and say 'Oh', or 'Superb', or 'I have never seen anything better', without being particular."
p. 65: "by dividing the [purser's] work between them they accomplished both it and their own specific duties quite well, particularly as the anomalous status of the Surprise meant that her accounts would never have to pass the slow, circumspect eyes of the Victualling Office, for whom all persons in charge of His Majesty's stores were guilty of embezzlement until with countersigned dockets of every conceivable nature they could prove their innocence."
p. 200: "One slight consolation was that by now only a few of the more froward llamas spat at [Stephen]."
p. 211: "'How long does it take to fall a thousand feet?' [Stephen] asked himself[...]. 'Long enough to make an act of contrition, at all events,' he said, abandoning the answer of seven hours and odd seconds as absurd."
p. 256, Jack to Stephen after some ill-advised witticisms on what his fellow Surprises, in their resourceful desperation, have managed to rig up in lieu of actual masts and sails: "And if ever you intend to be complimentary, you might be well advised just to throw up your hands and say 'Oh', or 'Superb', or 'I have never seen anything better', without being particular."
adventurous
slow-paced
This book's slow as a wet week! I still enjoyed it, but I'm glad to read that Aubrey and Maturin are on their way home, because the extensive voyage that's taken place over the last several books has honestly dragged on a bit. I was actually glad to get to a battle here, that's how slow things were.
I don't know. I've really got nothing else to say about it. I'm interested for Maturin to get home and see what's going on with his wife and daughter, and the hope of that kept me going through most of this. Which isn't to say that there weren't interesting bits: Martin's something of a duffer, but his guilt-ridden, disastrous self-medication was reasonably compelling, and I enjoyed Maturin's South American sojourn, if only because seeing that Andean bromeliad, Puya raimondii, is now on my bucket list. What a fascinating plant!!!
I don't know. I've really got nothing else to say about it. I'm interested for Maturin to get home and see what's going on with his wife and daughter, and the hope of that kept me going through most of this. Which isn't to say that there weren't interesting bits: Martin's something of a duffer, but his guilt-ridden, disastrous self-medication was reasonably compelling, and I enjoyed Maturin's South American sojourn, if only because seeing that Andean bromeliad, Puya raimondii, is now on my bucket list. What a fascinating plant!!!
slow-paced
Another pleasant sea romp with Jack and Stephen this time off the coast of South America, lots of action but not one of the best in the series. Audio read by Patrick Tull.
adventurous
Like returning to an old friend.
Do wonder if it would be any better if nautical terms meant something; rather than just ropes and canvas with pretty names! :-(
All about friendship for me.
Do wonder if it would be any better if nautical terms meant something; rather than just ropes and canvas with pretty names! :-(
All about friendship for me.
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
More failures than wins in this one, lacking a certain focus, but not unpleasant. At least we are spared dudes being shit to abused women, what a delight.