The Fortune of War
Published: 1979
Author: Patrick O'Brian
Book 6 of 21: Aubrey/Maturin Novels
Genres: Action, Adventure, British & Irish, Family Life, Fiction, Historical, Literary, Literature, Medical, Military, Navel, Saga, Sea, Suspense, Thriller, Travel, War
Check the summary of this book here:
The Fortune of War Summary
The Review:
The Fortune of War is the sixth installment in Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series. This one depicts the interactions between the British and American warships under Bonaparte's reign. While the entire series recounts navy stories — action against other ships, ship component names, sailors' day-to-day lives, and crew language and appropriate conduct — this one is unique due to its American naval history. It was another fantastic addition to an already great series with an excellent narrative delivered by an expert historian and master storyteller.
Never one to disappoint his readers, Patrick O'Brian pits the USS Constitution against British battleships, with Aubrey and Maturin playing bystanders and passengers. As "the fortune(s) of war" would have it, both are apprehended and transported to Boston during the conflict.
Maturin's history comes up to catch him in the form of characters from two previous books "Desolation Island” and "HMS Surprise." In reality, the story spends a lot of time focusing on Maturin's past and the perilous situation he finds himself in as a prisoner with so many dangers.
As I go through Patrick O'Brian's work, I'm seeing that there is always at least one occurrence or event that jumps out in his narrative. It is his fluency with early 19th-century American politics, the war's unpopularity with Massachusetts' Federalists, the social (and political) differences between Democratic-Republicans and Federalists, and the economic (and political) differences between New England and the Piedmont that distinguishes him in "The Fortune of War."
On some words by the main character, I want to say that it astounded me that an Englishman could have such a deep and sophisticated grasp of the nuances of American politics at the time, and articulate them so honestly and simply. Perhaps I shouldn't have been surprised, given Patrick O'Brian's attention to detail in everything naval, but I was.
Once again, Patrick O'Brian's narrative crafting is at its finest. There's a lot of action here, as well as a lot of everything else. I have to say that this is one of the best books in the series, and I only say so because every book I read by him has the same great quality. I know that the others are excellent as well, but for now, I'll say this is the finest so far until I review the next book in the series.
Again, this work will immerse you in the plot by capturing historical attitudes, historical places, historical background, amazing conversation, exceptional descriptive abilities, and absolute immersion.
I admit I'm a latecomer to Patrick O'Brian's works; after reading Sharpe, Hornblower, Bolitho, and others, I finally got around to starting the Aubrey-Maturin series. They have a literary quality and a sense of realism that the above-mentioned works, as delightful as they are, can't match. I like the balance of etiquette and 19th-century life descriptions intermingled with spurts of violence and drama.
In some respects, this novel outperforms the fifth book, Desolation Island, which, despite a great ending, seemed to lose the wind in its sails at moments. The Fortune of War demonstrates that Patrick O'Brian's ideas and narrative are still robust and vivid in this series, which is heartening given the number of volumes left to come.
Final Thoughts:
Without a doubt, the finest naval historical fiction ever written. Every volume was meticulously studied and imbued with a lifetime of passion, experience, and emotion by Patrick O'Brian. The books are not only endlessly readable, but they're also page-turners, with excellent character development and environmental descriptions that immerse you in the story. You'll need a dictionary, thesaurus, and map when you start reading since there's so much detail. Trust me when I say that you should buy them all because you won't be able to put them down once you start reading them, and if you finish one, you'll be compelled to read the next.
As I proceed through this series, I keep thinking to myself that each book is the finest one I've read so far. I believe this will be one of the most difficult to defeat.Patrick O'Brian takes the main cast on a perilous voyage that leads them to Boston, where he builds the series' most compelling plot to date. Patrick O'Brian, as usual, provides us with vivid settings, rich characters, action, and humor to keep us engrossed in the story.
The story's main theme, political intrigue, is entirely surrounded by brief but vivid and frequently brutal conflicts on the open seas, portrayed only as Patrick O'Brian can. I've said it before in previous reviews of this series, and I'm sure I will again, that everything I say about it is true - it's great and nearly obsessive reading once you get started, and I highly recommend it.
Synopsis:
“"A marvelously full-flavored, engrossing book, which towers over its current rivals in the genre like a three-decker over a ship's longboat." —Times Literary Supplement
Captain Jack Aubrey, R. N., arrives in the Dutch East Indies to find himself appointed to the command of the fastest and best-armed frigate in the Navy. He and his friend Stephen Maturin take passage for England in a dispatch vessel. But the War of 1812 breaks out while they are en route. Bloody actions precipitate them both into new and unexpected scenes where Stephen's past activities as a secret agent return on him with a vengeance.”
Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:
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Rating: 95/100
Recommended: 95/100 Yes.
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