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siria's review against another edition
5.0
Yet another intensely satisfying installment in the series. It's one of the books of the series least capable of standing by itself, both because it is intricately bound up with nine previous books full of characters and events, and because, as with the rest of the Aubrey-Maturin books, it functions much more as a chapter within a longer saga than as an individual novel. The pacing is certainly much different than one would normally expect from a novel; it takes them 200 pages to leave port in order to give chase to the Norfolk, and the denouement is unexpected and rather abrupt. I still found myself enjoying it immensely; I would have done so if all the novel had done was to reacquaint me with Jack and Stephen, who are like old friends at this stage. The quality of the writing is fine enough, though, that I could enjoy this book for other reasons than solely the fact that it is another book in the A-M series.
The period detail is as exacting and as precise as ever, as are the descriptions of the various cultures with which the crew cross paths, and I really do appreciate that. The dialogue is gorgeously textured, and all too often extremely funny. I found myself laughing over several parts this morning on the bus into college, which did frighten the woman next to me somewhat. I particularly enjoyed the method by which Stephen was awoken after his concussion, which was more than a little surreal, and yet so utterly Stephen.
One of the most interesting parts of the book for me was comparing it mentally to the plot of the Master and Commander: [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] movie, because that is how I originally came to the book series. They really are nothing alike; for all that M&C:tFSotW is a very fine movie indeed, it is much more typically Hollywood in tone and content than the book is. One is a chase movie; one is a book which records a voyage, however exciting and however dull that may be at times. They're both creations which I love, just in different ways. Also in connection with the movie, I was very entertained by the fact that in the movie, the crew of the Surprise are chasing a French frigate, but in the book, they're chasing an American ship. I'm sure that change wasn't occasioned by commercial bias at all.
The period detail is as exacting and as precise as ever, as are the descriptions of the various cultures with which the crew cross paths, and I really do appreciate that. The dialogue is gorgeously textured, and all too often extremely funny. I found myself laughing over several parts this morning on the bus into college, which did frighten the woman next to me somewhat. I particularly enjoyed the method by which Stephen was awoken after his concussion, which was more than a little surreal, and yet so utterly Stephen.
One of the most interesting parts of the book for me was comparing it mentally to the plot of the Master and Commander: [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] movie, because that is how I originally came to the book series. They really are nothing alike; for all that M&C:tFSotW is a very fine movie indeed, it is much more typically Hollywood in tone and content than the book is. One is a chase movie; one is a book which records a voyage, however exciting and however dull that may be at times. They're both creations which I love, just in different ways. Also in connection with the movie, I was very entertained by the fact that in the movie, the crew of the Surprise are chasing a French frigate, but in the book, they're chasing an American ship. I'm sure that change wasn't occasioned by commercial bias at all.
menintrees's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
shiradest's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent social commentary well-couched, with very well distinguished voices.
louiseoli's review against another edition
ten books in and i firmly believe that patrick o’brian is one of the greatest authors to ever write in the english language. looking forward to the next ten
jhbandcats's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I love the Aubrey & Maturin series but I was at a disadvantage with this book. I had recently rewatched the movie Master and Commander: the Far Side of the World so, instead of reading in the series order, I jumped to the tenth book as the movie is based on #1 and #10.
My disadvantage is that I was too focused on the plot of the movie. I kept expecting certain things to happen and was thrown off when they didn’t. That said, O’Brian is always a delight, sardonic and witty as well as entertaining and educational. I know better than to compare book and movies - it’s just frustrating.
This book sees the Surprise round Cape Horn and search the coast of Chile, Peru, and Ecuador for an American frigate that’s been attacking British whalers. There is a lot of strife, both on board and off, and a lot of physical deprivation and desolation. The characters were miserable for most of the story, showing yet again that sailor’s life was far from enviable.
My disadvantage is that I was too focused on the plot of the movie. I kept expecting certain things to happen and was thrown off when they didn’t. That said, O’Brian is always a delight, sardonic and witty as well as entertaining and educational. I know better than to compare book and movies - it’s just frustrating.
This book sees the Surprise round Cape Horn and search the coast of Chile, Peru, and Ecuador for an American frigate that’s been attacking British whalers. There is a lot of strife, both on board and off, and a lot of physical deprivation and desolation. The characters were miserable for most of the story, showing yet again that sailor’s life was far from enviable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Abandonment, Blood, Alcohol, Murder, Religious bigotry, Death, Suicide, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Classism, Infidelity, Violence, and War
vampierusboy's review against another edition
5.0
Peak Aubrey and Maturin for me, this book doesn't lose tempo and has all the elements of a Aubrey & Maturin novel on best display.
mwx1010's review against another edition
4.0
Pushing on with Aubrey-Maturin.
The pattern is very much set now but O’Brian seems to be enjoying having more space for his characters to breathe. I think I may be doing these a disservice by reading them piecemeal - it looks like the well-worn advice to regard this series as a single 6,000 page novel may be on the right track.
The pattern is very much set now but O’Brian seems to be enjoying having more space for his characters to breathe. I think I may be doing these a disservice by reading them piecemeal - it looks like the well-worn advice to regard this series as a single 6,000 page novel may be on the right track.
christophertd's review against another edition
5.0
‘She is the Surprise,’ said Stephen, and he whispered, ‘The joyful Surprise, God and Mary be with her.’
The end of this volume never fails to move me, such a dramatic, emotional, tumultuous ending. Listening to it again (again) I was struck by what a difficult journey they had of it, so many setbacks, and the final tense standoff marooned on a Pacific island. But those final paragraphs, where so much happens in a few terse, beautifully arranged sentences, is perhaps the most dramatic scene of all the books for me.
The end of this volume never fails to move me, such a dramatic, emotional, tumultuous ending. Listening to it again (again) I was struck by what a difficult journey they had of it, so many setbacks, and the final tense standoff marooned on a Pacific island. But those final paragraphs, where so much happens in a few terse, beautifully arranged sentences, is perhaps the most dramatic scene of all the books for me.