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A review by trowellingbadger
The Far Side of the World by Patrick O'Brian
4.0
Unfortunately I had already seen the film version of this particular book by the time I got round to reading it. However, it was pleasing to note quite how far the film-makers had strayed from the plot, so all traces of surprise and suspense were kept almost fully intact. Granted, the film contains elements from several of the books, but some of the major themes were represented in the adaptation. Still, I could not help but compare the book and film as I read, so I apologise if this review turns into more of a comparison.
O'Brain's storytelling is masterful as always and his writing style is certainly the best of any historical novelist I have read. I particularly enjoy his ability to retain a level of uncertainty over plot details for a few paragraphs, which are then revealed shortly thereafter with a greater degree of surprise than might have been anticipated. However, more intelligent and well-read people than me have appraised his writing in much a more eloquent manner, so I shan't dwell any further on that matter.
The story begins as most do, with Jack, Stephen and the ever-reliable HMS Surprise with its recurring set of characters setting off on a new mission of great importance. The presence of a Jonah, cuckoldry of the gunner and other matters lead to a very tense atmosphere on board, which lends the narrative a somewhat brooding aspect throughout the book. This ensures that the story does not progress merely as a sequence of battles or heroic actions as one might expect from a lesser novelist (although, rest assured, these are in attendance at other points of the book), but rather allows a continuous narrative around which the individual actions can occur. Additionally, by this stage in the series, Stephen's intelligence operations have taken a prominent role and the current begun in Treason's Harbour is further established here, setting in place an arc that lasts for several books. It provides a nice juxtaposition to the main, naval storyline and to a degree gives Stephen's character an ever-increasing mystique, which only adds to the enjoyment of the series.
Others have commented that the finale feels rushed and a little anti-climactic and I do have to agree. Certainly in the film this particular finale would not have worked: tension builds over the last couple of chapters and when it is finally released the story ends somewhat abruptly. Slightly disappointing, but it is one of the few weaknesses in the series and is fairly characteristic of O'Brian's writing style. The only other particularly weak component is the fairly bizarre incident involving Jack, Stephen and some fairly irate Amazons. This did not add much to either characters or story and just seemed to derail the plot. Nevertheless, as always, another brilliant offering from O'Brian. Hopefully I will now manage to knuckle down and finally finish this series which has taken me far too long to read.
O'Brain's storytelling is masterful as always and his writing style is certainly the best of any historical novelist I have read. I particularly enjoy his ability to retain a level of uncertainty over plot details for a few paragraphs, which are then revealed shortly thereafter with a greater degree of surprise than might have been anticipated. However, more intelligent and well-read people than me have appraised his writing in much a more eloquent manner, so I shan't dwell any further on that matter.
The story begins as most do, with Jack, Stephen and the ever-reliable HMS Surprise with its recurring set of characters setting off on a new mission of great importance. The presence of a Jonah, cuckoldry of the gunner and other matters lead to a very tense atmosphere on board, which lends the narrative a somewhat brooding aspect throughout the book. This ensures that the story does not progress merely as a sequence of battles or heroic actions as one might expect from a lesser novelist (although, rest assured, these are in attendance at other points of the book), but rather allows a continuous narrative around which the individual actions can occur. Additionally, by this stage in the series, Stephen's intelligence operations have taken a prominent role and the current begun in Treason's Harbour is further established here, setting in place an arc that lasts for several books. It provides a nice juxtaposition to the main, naval storyline and to a degree gives Stephen's character an ever-increasing mystique, which only adds to the enjoyment of the series.
Others have commented that the finale feels rushed and a little anti-climactic and I do have to agree. Certainly in the film this particular finale would not have worked: tension builds over the last couple of chapters and when it is finally released the story ends somewhat abruptly. Slightly disappointing, but it is one of the few weaknesses in the series and is fairly characteristic of O'Brian's writing style. The only other particularly weak component is the fairly bizarre incident involving Jack, Stephen and some fairly irate Amazons. This did not add much to either characters or story and just seemed to derail the plot. Nevertheless, as always, another brilliant offering from O'Brian. Hopefully I will now manage to knuckle down and finally finish this series which has taken me far too long to read.