The Letter of Marque
Published: 1988
Author: Patrick O'Brian
Book 12 of 21: Aubrey/Maturin Novels
Genres: Action, Adventure, British & Irish, Contemporary, Family Life, Fiction, Historical, Literary, Literature, Medical, Military, Navel, Saga, Sea, Suspense, Thriller, Travel, War
Check the summary of this book here:
The Letter of Marque Summary
The Review:
Patrick O'Brian’s ‘The Letter of Marque” picks up right where “The Reverse of the Medal” left off, with Jack Aubrey kicked out of the Navy and H.M.S. Surprise decommissioned and serves as the second part of the story in a much more straightforward manner than the other volumes in the series. As a result, many loose ends are wrapped up, and Patrick O'Brian takes readers on a different path with the next novel but that is for the next time.
It's no easy task to keep a reader's attention twelve books into a series, but Patrick O'Brian makes it look simple. Despite the fact that readers are traveling with both Aubrey and Maturin around the world and in dozens of engagements, the characters remain fresh as they evolve and grow.
After his humiliating discharge from the army, Aubrey is understandably sad and concerned; even when an opportunity to return is presented to him if he simply asks for a pardon, he firmly rejects, and such is the intensity of his conviction. To seek forgiveness would be to accept he'd made a mistake in the first place.
One of the many reasons why the books are so successful is because of such characterization. Another is Patrick O'Brian’s depictions of naval combat, which are exquisitely detailed in The Letter of Marque, Aubrey's luck holds in a wonderfully fascinating and audacious encounter. I'm hesitant to say much more for fear of giving too much away about the narrative.
Letter of Marque is a typical part of the series, full of intriguing characters, fights, maritime mythology, and insights into early modern sea life and the events that surround the persons involved. There is hardly any mystery or suspense, but there is plenty of tremendous adventure. Many readers may hope Stephen would simply divorce Diane and forget about her, but that is easier said than done. This is a wonderful classic that you should buy in hardback and pass down to your generations.
I prefer to read in bed, and this series is ideal for bedtime reading (and anytime reading, too), but it's tough to put down when it's time to turn off the lights. While reading this series, one lives at sea, on the ‘S.M.H. Surprise,' as well as at court-martials, jails, ports, and far-flung locations where espionage, botanizing, doctoring, and warfare take place. The letter of Marque is a heartfelt tale of profound loyalty, deep friendship, and a few heart-stopping cliffhangers. It is not to be missed. It's fantastic, much like the rest of Patrick O'Brian’s works in this series.
The way Patrick O'Brian managed to tie all of the twenty-one volumes together is just remarkable. It's as astounding as what we've heard about Mozart's scores, namely that they're all one piece, having appeared to be dictated from on high. I know Patrick O'Brian did in fact cross stuff out, he couldn't have had the entire canon thought out in his head ahead of time, yet it appears that way and I think he actually had a plan of what he will do with the series from the start.
How Patrick O'Brian is able to weave in and out of the story's numerous characters in naturalistic ways. His ability to write about nautical technical jargon in such a casual and off-handed manner, as if they were as second nature to him as they were to Jack. And he appears to be capable of doing so despite never having had much firsthand experience with sailing vessels.
It makes me question whether Patrick O'Brian wasn't a sailor in a prior life and has now reconnected his conscious mind to that past existence. At other times, his writing is pure literary lyricism, like in Letter of Marque, when he describes Steven's state of mind during the days after he fell from the tower while he was semi-conscious. That is the greatest writing I've ever read and one of the completest ways an author can write.
Final Thoughts:
The story's true heart isn't the war or the trials and issues Aubrey experiences; it's the bond between Maturin and Aubrey, as well as the steady development of the people that surround them: Sophie, Diana Villiers, and Aubrey's children. With each subsequent volume of the series, these people, as well as the soldiers with whom Aubrey and Maturin have served, become more and more real. Reading this book is highly recommended.
Synopsis:
“"Fine stuff...[The Letter of Marque] leaves the devotee of naval fiction eager for sequels."—Jonathan Yardley, Washington Post Book World
Captain Jack Aubrey, a brilliant and experienced officer, has been struck off the list of post-captains for a crime he did not commit. His old friend Stephen Maturin, usually cast as a ship's surgeon to mask his discreet activities on behalf of British Intelligence, has bought for Aubrey his former ship the Surprise to command as a privateer, more politely termed a letter of marque. Together they sail on a desperate mission against the French, which, if successful, may redeem Aubrey from the private hell of his disgrace.”
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Rating: 100/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.
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