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The Commodore [Special Edition] (Paperback)

by Patrick O'Brian (Author) "Thick weather in the chops of the Channel and a dirty night, with the strong north-east wind bringing rain from the low sky and racing..." (more)

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Product details

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Harper; 40th Anniversary ed edition (1 Sep 1997)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0006499325
ISBN-13: 978-0006499329
Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.6 x 2.4 cm

Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 5,479 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)
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#9 in Books > Fiction > Authors, A-Z > O > O'Brian, Patrick

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Product Description

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

Product Description

Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin tales are widely acknowledged to be the greatest series of historical novels ever written. All eighteen books are being re-issued in hardback by HarperCollins with stunning new jackets to coincide with a new film based on the adventures, and to introduce these modern classics to a new generation. Jack Aubrey's long service is at last rewarded: he is promoted to the rank of Commodore and given a squadron of ships to command. His mission is twofold -- to make a large dent in the slave trade off the coast of Africa and, on his return, to intercept a French fleet set for Bantry Bay with a cargo of weapons for the disaffected among the Irish. Invention and surprise follow at every turn in this tale of nineteenth-century seamanship, as rich, as compelling, as masterly as any of its predecessors.

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First Sentence
Thick weather in the chops of the Channel and a dirty night, with the strong north-east wind bringing rain from the low sky and racing cloud: Ushant somewhere away on the star-board bow, the Scillies to larboard, but never a light, never a star to be seen; and no observation for the last four days. Read the first page

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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent O'Brian, 14 Oct 2004

By	Jan Erik Frantsv�g "janeriks" (Troms�, Norway) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Having returned home, Jack Aubrey finally makes the next step on the ladder and is promoted commodore. There is much to sort out at home, not at least for Stephen Maturin; Diana has fled from home and left their daughter Brigid with Clarissa Oakes and the servants.

Jack receives orders to command a squadron of ships going to West Africa to harrass the slave trade, but also to lay in wait for a convoy of French ships.

As with other books in this series, it isn't the action that makes the book very good. The quality lies in the description of life on the boat, both the daily routine chores, the events and the social life among the men, and especially in the dialogue between Jack and Stephen. We get to know them and their family lives, their lives as navy officer and as scientist, and their friendship and the carefulness with which they live so close together despite their outward and inward differences.

O'Brian is obviously a first-class writer and uses language masterfully to convey a feeling of early 19th century to us, both in choice of words and in wording.

Despite the caption of naval novel, this is a book of dialogue and slowly unfolding life, with short bursts of fast action in between.

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5.0 out of 5 stars 50 % land, 50 % water, 25 Sep 2009

By	Dr. H. Beentje (Kew, England) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

Finally, Captain Aubrey is coming home to Shelmerston and Ashgrove; and Dr Maturin to the same, and to the Liberties of the Savoy; after a long, 4-book voyage (13 gun salute; Nutmeg; Clarissa Oakes; Wine-dark sea). On land, as usual, there has been many a change, and many a worry ensues; but also some bright new things. But oh, the worries on dry land... and not just the dread Mrs Williams, but Mrs Aubrey and Mrs Maturin (well, Ms Villiers at least) as well.

After half the book, we set sail again, and Captain Aubrey leads a squadron to West Africa - this time in admirals' uniform. He is 'only' a Commodore, but with Killick we delight in this new rank.

If you are new to the series, don't begin with this book; start with 'Master and Commander', and you'll have a wonderful experience of a sea of books to look forward to.
The joy of O'Brian's writing - his style, the choice of words, his constructions, so familiar, and giving pleasure time and again. These books are very re-readable, too; O'Brian can make me feel pleasure, and pain; when I am sad, he can make me laugh out loud, and you can't say better than that. I believe I am on my seventh read-through, and I hope many more will follow. I think the pleasure might increase in re-reading!

The interaction Jack/Stephen reaches new sensitivities. Stephen hears Jack playing his Guarnieri in the summerhouse at Ashgrove, and realizes Jack has been holding back in their duets - his playing now is masterful, and infinitely sad. Stephen's interactions with his daughter are an absolute delight. And to the connaisseur, Killick saying "no-one can call me nosy..." is almost worth the price of the book by itself.

A delight, an absolute delight.

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5.0 out of 5 stars the continuing adventures of Capt Aubrey and Dr Maturin, 9 Jul 2009

By	Sean Ludlow "metal\m/Head" (London, UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

only CS Foster is a match for Patrick O'Brian so i am told which i will start to read when i have completed this series of books 21 in all, each book continuing the adventures of Capt Aubrey & Dr Maturin if you like maritime tales you could not choose better in my opinion.

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