The Wine-Dark Sea
Published: 1993
Author: Patrick O'Brian
Book 16 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 Wine-Dark Sea Summary
The Review:
One of the greatest in the series thus far. In “The Wine-Dark Sea” Patrick O'Brian was definitely loving the adventure: volcanic activity, lethal ice floes, Andean snowstorms, and thunderstorms: it's a spectacular read, and both Jack and Stephen are having a difficult time this time. Nothing goes exactly as planned.
It's all about folks who travel down to the sea on ships, but with guns and cutlasses instead of sails. But even if you're not a sailor, you'll like these novels because they build fascinating characters that complexly grow as the stories progress in a plot full of peril, intrigue, love, despair, honor-dishonor, failure, and Phoenix-like success.
A long narrative of a journey across the Peruvian Andes that detracts from the nautical in nautical fiction. Another narrative of becoming stuck in the ice during fog near Cape Horn. Another rudder loss in the southern latitudes, and another sea battle that almost happened. Actually, there were two sea battles: one that was in the beginning and one that was virtually non-existent at the conclusion.
This book may feel primarily like filler stuff if you are not a fan and don’t know what is actually happening because chances are you never read the previous books in the series. As I usually say, the writing is outstanding, and it demonstrates the amazing amount of research required to convey the subject in such depth.
The richness of the writing and storytelling never gets in the way of reading in these novels, which is one of my favorite aspects of them. They're both page-turners and artwork. To be honest, some of Maturin's spy activities seem a little hazy and dry to me, but he's always a fascinating guy. Onshore passages, as they are here, are usually the least engrossing. I recall more about the birds and creatures than I do about the Peruvian spy plan.
When we read about the sea, the series comes to life the most. Even the most technical language-filled paragraphs have a rhythm and a pulse flowing through them. It's the most realistic depiction of a historical period and locations I've ever read.
This is an unbelievable depiction of a sailing ship in a treacherous sea. Apart from the sailing, the entire series gives a fantastic glimpse into the flora and animals of the regions visited, as well as the manner of life in early-nineteenth-century England. Far superior to Jane Austen in terms of social elements.
To appreciate book sixteen of this sea-going, Napoleonic War series, one must be a fan of Patrick O'Brian. You already know what I'm talking about if you're on Book sixteen The Wine-Dark Sea. It's fantastic, exciting, hilarious, and a page-turner. You will never read a novel written as well as Patrick O'Brian's. If you haven't read any of the Aubrey/Maturin novels before, "Master and Commander" is a good place to start. Sit back and savor these fantastic tales for months, if not years.
If you don't understand how the ship works, with its rigging, sails, and masts, don't become irritated. Most of the time, the reader does not have to. Just marvel at how well Mr. Patrick O'Brian comprehended everything. Perhaps by Book two, you will have a better understanding of it all.
Final Thoughts:
As in all of Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin novels, the storytelling is superb. Anyone who liked "Master and Commander" would appreciate this book. A comprehensive ongoing saga that will pique your interest from the first page! I am about to write the seventeenth book' review from this series, and I am feeling sad once more to see this fantastic narrative come to an end with the passing of author Patrick O'Brian, the first time I was sad when I finished the series and now I am sad because I am near the end of the series and its reviews.
There is a sequel to the series called The Unfinished Adventures of Jack Aubrey, which is a collection of notes and other tidbits about the next installment, but we will never know the exact nature of the saga's conclusion.
Synopsis:
“The sixteenth volume in the Aubrey/Maturin series, and Patrick O'Brian's first bestseller in the United States.
At the outset of this adventure filled with disaster and delight, Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin pursue an American privateer through the Great South Sea. The strange color of the ocean reminds Stephen of Homer's famous description and portends an underwater volcanic eruption that will create a new island overnight and leave an indelible impression on the reader's imagination.
Their ship, the Surprise, is now also a privateer, the better to escape diplomatic complications from Stephen's mission, which is to ignite the revolutionary tinder of South America. Jack will survive a desperate open boat journey and come face to face with his illegitimate black son; Stephen caught up in the aftermath of his failed coup, will flee for his life into the high, frozen wastes of the Andes; and Patrick O'Brian's brilliantly detailed narrative will reunite them at last in a breathtaking chase through stormy seas and icebergs south of Cape Horn, where the hunters suddenly become the hunted.”
Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:
Action, Admiral Harte, Age Of Sail, Anyone Who Loves, Aubrey And Maturin, Aubrey-Maturin Series, Billy Boyd, Botany Bay, Blockade Duty, British Navy, Captain Aubrey, Captain Jack, Character Development, Clarissa Oakes, Desolation Island, Diplomatic Mission, Diving Bell, Drama, Diana Villiers, Early 19th Century, Entire Series, Far Side Of The World, Fortune Of War, French Agents, Gun Salute, High Seas, Historical Fiction, HMS Surprise, Horrible Old, Indian Ocean, Ionian Mission, Jack And Stephen, Jack Aubrey, Jane Austen, Letter Of Marque, Lucky Jack, Master And Commander, Maturin Series, Mauritius Command, Napoleonic Era, Napoleonic Wars, Nautical Terms, Nutmeg Of Consolation, Old Leopard, Patrick Brian, Patrick O’Brian, Patrick Obrian, Patrick O Brian, Patrickoobrian, Paul Bettany, Penal Colony, Peter Weir, Post Captain, Pulo Prabang, Red Sea, Reverse Of The Medal, Royal Navy, Russell Crowe, Sea Dark, Sea Wine, Simon Vance, South Seas, Stephen Maturin, Stock Market, Surgeon Mate, Takes Place, Thirteen-Gun Salute, Treasons Harbor, United States, USS Constitution, Well Written, Wine-Dark, Years Ago
Rating: 95/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.
Buy The Kindle Version Here:
Free With Free Audible Trial:
The Complete Aubrey/Maturin Novels (Hardcover):
Master and Commander (2003) (PG+):
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Any kind of support, even a simple 'like, thumbs up or a small comment' is enough and helps me grow, create and freely do more stuff and work on projects for the benefit of many.
Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/namsu
Help me grow into a global force: https://www.patreon.com/namsu
Support with crypto coins/tokens: https://cointr.ee/namsu
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
No comments:
Post a Comment