- Hardcover: 306 pages
- Publisher: HarperCollins; First edition (6 April 1999)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0002555506
- ISBN-13: 978-0002555500
- Product Dimensions: 21.8 x 14.7 x 3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 663,085 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Commodore: Aubrey/Maturin series, book 17
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More About the Author
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 Myers, Irish Times
‘One of the most brilliantly sustained pieces of historical fictional writing this century.’
James Teacher, Spectator
Review
‘One of the most brilliantly sustained pieces of historical fictional writing this century.’
James Teacher, Spectator
“Robert Hardy’s reading gives a real feel of salt spray, not to mention a taste of the lash.”
Times on The Fortune of War
Inside This Book
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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
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt
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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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
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.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
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.
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.
Format:Paperback
Commodore Jack Aubrey faces the challenge of leading other captains in a 2-pronged mission, closely linked to ship's surgeon Stephen Maturin's espionage activity. At home, waters are choppy but the tide turns in due course. Interesting detail of early 19th Century social attitudes to the slave trade and slave transportation.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Commodore
If you have read this far in the series you are beginning to wonder what you'll do when Maturin and Aubrey are no longer part of your life. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Sonweb
the continuing adventures of Capt Aubrey and Dr Maturin
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... Read more
Published on 9 July 2009 by Sean Ludlow
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