Treason's Harbour
Published: 1983
Author: Patrick O'Brian
Book 9 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:
Treason's Harbour Summary
The Review:
Patrick O'Brian’s Treason's Harbour, maybe more than any other novel in the Aubrey-Maturin series, is set in the real and dirty field of international conspiracy, intelligence, and diplomacy. Whereas a man-of-war, even one as little as Jack Aubrey's beloved 28-gun HMS Surprise, is self-contained,
Europe's ports and cities during the Napoleonic Wars are teeming with enemy agents, opportunistic dockyard administrators, and, in the case of colonial ports, disgruntled inhabitants. Thus, for British intelligence operative Stephen Maturin, the Maltese port of Valetta, where HMS Surprise is being reconditioned, is a site of both opportunity and peril. The threat stems from the presence of high-ranking French agents who are aware of his operations and background.
Because of the turmoil, Jack Aubrey is dispatched on a pair of fatal missions. This isn't typically the storyline of a thrilling adventure novel, but Patrick O'Brian is a master storyteller, transporting Aubrey and Maturin across the desert with a track of camels and a diving bell, and trapping H.M.S. Surprise in a Mediterranean harbor with three French battleships moving in.
I suppose Jack expends all of his luck avoiding such traps and has little left over for triumphs, but that still leaves us with plenty of Napoleonic naval detail and action to keep us delighted as modern readers.
Action and intrigue. What else is there to say? This novel leans more toward the suspense, but that's not a bad thing. The odd thing is that I read this series a long time ago and have subsequently read more current authors in the category who have more modern sensibilities and vocabulary, which I enjoy but find quite different from Patrick O'Brian or Pope.
Nobody alive today can tell us which version of character and language is truer, but I enjoy the characters and language in a variety of genres, including Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series. I'm occasionally shocked to find myself smiling at the comedy, which I probably missed when I originally read the series as a youngster.
The author has a tremendous understanding of the time, both on land and at sea, and this talent is beautifully expressed in this work. The historical details are near faultless as always, and even the relevant terminology is pulled out so we appear to be learning it. A severe, terrible, yet humorous event will occur, which will eventually cause major problems with our heroes' respective spouses.
However, it takes a third of the novel for Aubrey to embark on his first maritime expedition. This provides the sense that the action is moving at a leisurely pace. Our heroes narrowly avoid sailing into a trap and losing their whole army on their maiden expedition, which brings them to the Red Sea, one of the least pleasant locations on earth, according to the author's account.
The commander in chief is well aware that his information flow has been compromised when they return, having also been attacked by a Bedouin attack on their land march over the Isthmus of Suez (no canal at this time, of course), but not even Dr. Maturin acknowledges Wray's participation in the leak.
It's still an entertaining read, and if you're going to read the full canon, you can't really skip any of the novels since the character development and even some of the plot elements would appear strange if you don't. Remember that turmoil in both heroes' marriages awaits them at home while they fight an adversary that knows what their instructions are ahead of time.
Final Thoughts:
This is the ninth book in the series, so if you've read this far, I'm guessing there's not much more I can say to persuade you to buy it or even read the reviews! I'm sure I'll read this book, and the next one, and the next one, regardless of the reviews.
If you've made it this far, I promise you'll find exactly what you're searching for - more of the fantastic Patrick O'Brian writing we've come to anticipate. Definitely on par with the previous books in the series.
The characters are realistic and relatable. The scenarios remind me so much of a few navy friends and the stories they shared, in that what may appear minor and insignificant in the grand scheme of things is significant and vital to the people assigned to the smaller job or purpose.
I frequently feel like I'm watching rather than reading the novel because Patrick O'Brian captures the spirit of the era's combat sailor's attitudes and worries, as well as location and time, so beautifully. I recommend starting with the first book and working your way up to this one before finishing the series. You can't go wrong with this.
Synopsis:
“"Every [Aubrey-Maturin] book is packed to absolute straining with erudition, wit, history, and thunderous action." —Joe Hill
All Patrick O'Brian's strengths are on parade in this novel of action and intrigue, set partly in Malta, partly in the treacherous, pirate-infested waters of the Red Sea. While Captain Aubrey worries about repairs to his ship, Stephen Maturin assumes the center stage for the dockyards and salons of Malta are alive with Napoleon's agents, and the admiralty's intelligence network is compromised. Maturin's cunning is the sole bulwark against sabotage of Aubrey's daring mission.”
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Rating: 95/100
Recommended: 95/100 Yes.
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