Blue at the Mizzen: Aubrey/Maturin series, book 20
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Amazon.co.uk Review
Why do the sea-faring adventure novels of Patrick O'Brian enjoy such a phenomenally devoted readership? Actually, O'Brian enthusiasts can take their pick from a variety of qualities of excellence: the sheer command of writing technique; the adroit characterisation of his heroes, every bit as rich and well-rounded as anything in serious fiction; and, of course, the bracingly-realised atmosphere of the sea on which the author sets his tales of derring-do. The latest volume, Blue at the Mizzen, represents an even greater refinement of O'Brian's art.
His long-time protagonist Jack Aubrey is about to achieve his ambition. Unusually, his finances are in good order and his professional life is ship-shape. But as he reaches the upper echelons of the Captain's list, his prospects of gaining that final promotion are in the balance. In the powder-keg revolutionary atmosphere of South America, his shipmate Stephen Maturin is coming to terms with the loss of his wife by throwing himself into the intelligence work he so enjoys. Both men become involved in a series of labyrinthine intrigues, splendidly punctuated by the action that O'Brian delivers so well. And the writing is as non-pareil as ever:
"Then came the repeated broadsides: this was not the dumb show of usual practice at divisions, but the shattering din of battle, the flashing stabs of fire, the shriek of each gun's very dangerous recoil, the heady scent of powder-smoke along the decks."Blue at the Mizzen is a treat for lovers of O'Brian and a perfect introduction for those who have not yet read him. --Barry Forshaw
Review
'… full of the energy that comes from a writer having struck a vein… Patrick O'Brian is unquestionably the Homer of the Napoleonic wars.' James Hamilton-Paterson
'You are in for the treat of your lives. Thank God for Patrick O'Brian: his genius illuminates the literature of the English language, and lightens the lives of those who read him.' Kevin Meyers, Irish Times
'In a highly competitive field it goes straight to the top. A real first-rater.' Mary Renault
'I never enjoyed a novel about the sea more. It is not only that the author describes the handling of a ship of 1800 with an accuracy that is as comprehensible as it is detailed, a remarkable feat in itself. Mr O'Brian's three chief characters are drawn with no less sympathy that the vessels he describes, a rare achievement save in the greatest of writers of this genre. It deserves the widest readership.' Irish Times
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First Sentence
The Surprise, lying well out in the channel with Gibraltar half a mile away on her starboard quarter, lying at a single anchor with her head to the freshening north-west breeze, piped all hands at four bells in the afternoon watch; and at the cheerful sound her tender Ringle, detached once more on a private errand by Lord Keith, cheered with the utmost good will, while the Surprises turned out with a wonderful readiness, laughing, beaming and thumping one another on the back in spite of a strong promise of rain and a heavy sea running already. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
The Surprise, lying well out in the channel with Gibraltar half a mile away on her starboard quarter, lying at a single anchor with her head to the freshening north-west breeze, piped all hands at four bells in the afternoon watch; and at the cheerful sound her tender Ringle, detached once more on a private errand by Lord Keith, cheered with the utmost good will, while the Surprises turned out with a wonderful readiness, laughing, beaming and thumping one another on the back in spite of a strong promise of rain and a heavy sea running already. Read the first page
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
If you have not read Master and Commander, O'Brian's first novel in the Aubrey/Maturin sequence, a fresh and surprising mix of naval engagement, medical practice, fine observations, and comic situations, which seemed to dart out in all directions, and assault the senses as much as any novel can, describing fear and bloodlust, famine and feasts, alongside musical appreciation, and an extensive knowledge of natural history, then I envy you , for it is a treat, as are its many sequels. Some may not share O'Brian's taste for the very, very long opening sentence, and others may find his flair for detail a little too rich. Whatever, the twentieth instalment has arrived, and if his readerrs are numerically few, they make up for it in loyalty. The loyalty is hard earned for the stories handle so many characters, so many changes of pace, or should we say, tack, so well. Jack and Stephen often share a cause, and their lives would be incomplete without each other. The friendship is viewed from both sides; sides which combine admiration and respect and a shared love of music with little understanding or much in common. This could be a description of a marriage and few writers do it better. Only dedicated fans are likely to have read this far, and are only reading as a poor substitute until the real dope arrives. The dust jacket of the present volume lists the familiar strengths: "There is brilliant narrative technique; there is richness and variety of characterisation; there is action..." All true, O'Brian's sesnse of craft is still fine. LIke the crew of the Ringle, under William Reade, who is not confident of his sermonising skills, and so sticks to the Articles of War on Sundays, the audience is in for more of the same. Sadly, O'Brian's spark is diminished and for some of the important action, such as a seal cull, and Jack's growing petulance at his continuing staton as a mere post captain, the prosing is delegated to Stephen. In earlier volumes with a greater sense of pace, and, indeed more story to tell, this was an admirable economy, giving insight into Stephen while pushing the events forward. Now it just puts distance between the reader and the action. Throughout the nineteen earlier works, O'Brian held off descending into formula. Certain mannerisms became apparent: a generous, tender, or admirable side to a character was discover a page or so before his sudden death; music would be made; Jack's indigestible nautical orations would be interrupted by Stephen's spying some improbable bird. Apart from the last, even these are missing. There is a battle, but Jack is now so experienced and cunning that there is no uncertainty, and no sense of danger. In short, the book is a disappointment. O'Brian has been deservedly compared to Jane Austen, but young love, and youthful hopes are more diverting than old men stubbornly refusing to retire.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This wouldn't have been the end of the series - O'Brian has left us with some rough work on the 21st novel, but, as the title suggests, Jack does finally become a Blue Admiral in the last page or 2. This means are left with a sense of closure. This novel is back on form after the relatively disappointing 'The Hundred Days', written when the author had recently lost his wife.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I've just finished reading the series for the third time, and am bereft. How can these people, these friends I know so well, just fade out of existence? I've watched them grow and age, or thought I had. Is that all they ever really were, lifeless dots of ink on a lifeless page?
PS: my five stars are for the series. Sadly, PO'B's powers were waning by the time he wrote this book. But still, I could have wished him to go on for ever.
PS: my five stars are for the series. Sadly, PO'B's powers were waning by the time he wrote this book. But still, I could have wished him to go on for ever.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Recognition
Due recognition is in sight for Captain Jack Aubrey, supported by ship's surgeon and spy Stephen Maturin and Jack's brave, loyal crew members. Read more
Published 6 months ago by JoTownhead
Blue at the Mizzen
I read this book with a some sadness, because it's the last in the series. I know there's an 'unfinished' novel... Read more
Published 11 months ago by L. J. Cooper
Lives peter-out.
I am a late-comer to this series and grateful that I was able to avoid the wait between novels of those readers whose reading was contemporary with the writing. Read more
Published 14 months ago by M. Prince
Great book!! all of the Patrick O'Brien's are excellent!
If you are into great stories, do get this book and try to get the full collection - the story of Jack Aubry and Steve Maturin - great writing! You will be hooked!
Published on 9 Feb 2009 by McNulty
Not up to usual standard
Keeping my review short, Patrick O'Brien has simply not put enough action into this book. It also leaves us in the middle of no where. Read more
Published on 5 May 2002 by awb714@aol.com
Not as enjoyable as earlier novels in the series
I agree to a certain extent with the comments of the other reviewers - the novel does not have the power of earlier books in the series. Read more
Published on 27 Jun 2001
Not one of the authers best, but still a good read.
Having read all of the series this last book is not up to earlier standards. It is still a good read and for followers of Aubrey and Maturin, it is an essential. Read more
Published on 2 Nov 2000
Very disappointing conclusion to a fantastic series
I read all of the Patrick O'Brien books over the space of three months. Some of the early ones were truly outstanding; many of the later ones were a little more formulaic, but... Read more
Published on 21 Sep 2000 by d.rhodes@btinternet.com
Middle age sets in...
In "Blue at the Mizzen" O'Brian has continued to do what he started to do at the beginning of his series. Read more
Published on 5 Jan 2000
First rate
Apparently I've done a strange thing. Start my life with O'Brian with Blue at the Mizzen. I've asked around and everyone else seems to have read at least 18 other books by the... Read more
Published on 5 Nov 1999
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