Honest Book Reviews by Namsu

Desolation Island

Published: 1978

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:

Desolation Island Summary

The Review:

Even though “Desolation Island” is the fifth novel in the Aubrey/Maturin series, I believe this is when Patrick O'Brian truly found his form in terms of both stories and characters. Both Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin have a wonderfully nuanced depth of character by this point, far more so than nearly any other character I've encountered in hundreds of years of reading novels, and especially so in the case of age-of-sail storylines. This might be due to the fact that they are both flawed. You'll find yourself laughing at certain elements of their characters, seeing great intelligence and humanity in others, and disliking some features of each. To put it another way, they resemble actual humans.

Patrick O'Brian writes to appeal to almost any taste among those willing to learn a little 18th-century language and elegance, but I know that anyone expecting uninterrupted action from these works would be disappointed. Although there is some truth to it, "Desolation Island" fills that need for those who require it, particularly mariners and sea lovers.

In the realm of maritime history, Mr. Patrick O'Brian leaves nothing to chance, and all of his works are packed with the type of marine knowledge and vocabulary that will make any sailor - especially antiquarians - grin, but "Desolation Island" takes things to a new level.

Captain Aubrey controls "the dreadful old Leopard" in this novel, the same HMS Leopard that nearly sparked the American War of 1812 before its time in the Leopard-Chesapeake Affair, but with a different Captain in command.

The events of the novel culminate in a beautifully constructed story of cat and mouse between HMS Leopard and the Waakzamheid, a far more dangerous Dutch 74. I won't tell you how it ends, but the Waakzamheid's pursuit of the Leopard across and beneath the ocean is by far the greatest suspenseful page-turner I've ever read from the Age of Sail.

The focus appears to alter in this work as well; although Aubrey was the dominant character in the earlier volumes, with Maturin progressively becoming more prominent, the tale is much more centered around Maturin in Desolation Island, which is all the better for it.

I'd want to talk about something that is virtually unavoidable in a maritime saga: the fight with the Dutch 74-gun Waakzaamheid was the most exciting sea battle I've ever read about, partly because it was so different from the usual clashes. I'm not going to say much more since I don't want to give anything away to other readers about this hidden treasure. However, it must be noted that, at the time, Patrick O'Brian's writing was on par with literary greats such as William Golding and Graham Greene.

Other events in this superb novel make it one of the most exciting in the Aubrey/Maturin series at this point, although sailors will probably like it even more than the average reader. That is if extreme horror is considered a sort of entertainment. Once again. This was a fantastic read!

Final Thoughts:

Maturin's clever "handling" of American and French spies was a masterstroke; it took longer than the conflicts, but the intensity never dropped throughout the tale.

I usually read five to ten novels at a time to avoid becoming bored or used to one type, but every now and then I come across books that I simply cannot put down, and I read them until I am through, as occurred with Patrick O'Brian's Desolation Island and then the cliffhanger ending of Desolation Island drew me straight to Fortunes of War, the sixth book in the series.

If you are not a naval person, the books may be difficult to read, but the narrative flow is so captivating that you will be compelled to continue, and I am confident that as you proceed, you will get familiar with the terminology. You only need to read the first book in the series and verify the terminology as you go, and by the time you're done, you'll be ready to understand and go through the rest of the series.

I'm not going to go into detail about the plot; instead, I'd recommend these volumes to anybody looking for a fantastic adventure series with excellent writing. Start with the first book in the series Master and Commander and keep going since they grow better as the series progresses.

Synopsis:

“"The relationship [between Aubrey and Maturin]...is about the best thing afloat....For Conradian power of description and sheer excitement there is nothing in naval fiction to beat the stern chase as the outgunned Leopard staggers through mountain waves in icy latitudes to escape the Dutch seventy-four." —Stephen Vaughan, Observer

Commissioned to rescue Governor Bligh of Bounty fame, Captain Jack Aubrey and his friend and surgeon Stephen Maturin sail the Leopard to Australia with a hold full of convicts. Among them is a beautiful and dangerous spy—and a treacherous disease that decimates the crew. With a Dutch man-of-war to windward, the undermanned, outgunned Leopard sails for her life into the freezing waters of the Antarctic, where, in mountain seas, the Dutchman closes.”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

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Rating: 95/100

Recommended: 95/100 Yes.

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The Mauritius Command Review

The Mauritius Command

Published: 1977

Author: Patrick O'Brian

Book 4 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 Mauritius Command Summary

The Review:

Patrick O'Brian is like a magnificent guide into another time and place in The Mauritius Command, and his writing abilities are fascinating to experience. His ability to depict a former age both perplexes and befuddles the reader because the reader has no way of knowing whether the sophisticated terminologies he deploys in his conversations and descriptions are the result of painstaking study or are masterfully made up out of thin air.

I know enough about battle sailing during the Napoleonic era to know that the maritime descriptions are spot-on, leading me to imagine that the dialogues are as accurate, but this is not the case, and this portion is simply coming from the author's brilliant story-telling intellect and it confuses the reader as I mentioned in the previous paragraph.

As is customary for Patrick O’Brian, he draws heavily on history, and this novel is based on a little-known operation against the French in the Indian Ocean, which provides both action and tension to the storyline. As always, Commodore Aubrey and Dr. Maturin's illustrations of all things navel are a wonderful contribution to the readers’ continuous love for this book series and the sea.

This is one of the most action-packed books in the series. One of the many reasons I read this book series is because I adore the idea of living aboard a sailboat, and having at least one 65-foot catamaran, ideally a trimaran, is one of my life goals. Most individuals started reading these books after seeing the film "Master & Commander."

But after reading the first 200 pages of Master & Commander, many of them realized that the action wasn't quite as close as it would be in the subsequent novels. Captain Aubrey and a fleet face French naval off the coast of Mauritius in this one, which is action-packed. It's thrilling and really creative!

But for Patrick O’Brian, it's all about the language. You'll be referring to literature (or websites) to better grasp the various antique terms and phrases his characters use, whether nautical, medicinal, and zoological or gourmet. Context allows for a basic understanding, but a better comprehension necessitates a deeper study.

The same caution applies to the reader's understanding of sail-powered naval fighting – Patrick O’Brian provides a basic introduction, but further understanding and enjoyment may be gained with a little exploration. After all, the Internet is always there at your disposal!

His writings will not only delight you, but they will also make you think and work a bit. These aren't the books for you if you find this an irritation or an inconvenience – Only inquisitive minds will like and want more of these fantastic novels.

Although the series is set on the sea, you don't need to be a sailor or have a lot of nautical expertise to appreciate it. As I previously stated, this is the fourth book in the Aubrey-Maturin series, but it can be enjoyed on its own or as part of the series. However, I strongly advise reading all of the previous books in the series before reading this one so you can get a sense of what is going on in the lives of all of the characters involved, as well as all of the back stories that may be useful in future reads, including this one.

I'm assuming that the readers have read at least the previous three novels, which is why I'm using certain keywords that may be considered spoilers, so just in case, skip this paragraph... okay, moving on, so Captain Jack Aubrey is a talented sailor who has been given instructions to lead a frigate to the Cape of Good Hope with two other captains under his command, and Stephen Maturin is a medical companion who serves as the ship's doctor/surgeon and is also an intelligence operative.

Whether reading the book or listening to the Audiobook version, the narrative is intriguing and difficult to put down. Rick Jerrom skillfully narrates the Audiobook from beginning to end, perfectly capturing the mood, pacing, and characters.

Final Thoughts:

These novels may appear to be simple naval battle stories, but they are much more, and they immerse the reader in unexpected events around every turn.

He's a fantastic storyteller with a knack for both inside and outside discourse. His stories are full of flawed human beings that you'll grow to love and adore over the course of the series. The concept of books as time machines is embodied perfectly in this series.

If you enjoy one Patrick O'Brian book, you'll want to read the rest of the series. It's atmospheric, humorous, and tragic all at the same time. The discourse is enthralling and feels historically accurate. Every book has social history, naval technology, navigational science, and a rip-roaring excellent tale.

I haven't had such a good time since Ken Follett’s epic "Pillars of the Earth," but while Follett’s sequels failed to live up to the original, O'Brian did, and now I want to reread Captain Sinbad by Graham Diamond, even though these books are unrelated except that they remind me of the sea and sailing.

Synopsis:

“"Jack's assignment: to capture the Indian Ocean islands of Réunion and Mauritius from the French. That campaign forms the narrative thread of this rollicking sea saga. But its substance is more beguiling still." —Elizabeth Peer, Newsweek

Captain Jack Aubrey is ashore on half pay without a command—until Stephen Maturin arrives with secret orders for Aubrey to take a frigate to the Cape of Good Hope under a commodore's pennant, there to mount an expedition against the French-held islands of Mauritius and La Réunion. But the difficulties of carrying out his orders are compounded by two of his own captains—Lord Clonfert, a pleasure-seeking dilettante, and Captain Corbett, whose severity pushes his crew to the verge of mutiny.”

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Rating: 95/100

Recommended: 95/100 Yes.

Buy The Kindle Version Here:

https://amzn.to/3ogbpxU

Free With Free Audible Trial:

https://amzn.to/3EicqLN

The Complete Aubrey/Maturin Novels (Hardcover):

https://amzn.to/3xCFZVv

Master and Commander (2003) (PG+):

https://amzn.to/3I7yZos

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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.

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H. M. S. Surprise Review

H.M.S. Surprise

Published: 1973

Author: Patrick O'Brian

Book 3 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:

H.M.S. Surprise Summary

The Review:

The third novel in Patrick O'Brien's series about the British Navy during the Napoleonic Wars, H.M.S. Surprise will thrill and educate you about the British Navy's sailing ships and the sailors and commanders' impressive technical ability.

While Patrick O'Brien does not minimize the British Navy's wrongdoings, he is definitely an admirer of the power, ships, and tactics but not the wrongdoings. If you don't want to read about a colonial power's exploits, this might not be the book for you. The storyline, on the other hand, is engaging, and there is enough information on flora and fauna in each of the ship's ports of call.

Maturin appears to be Patrick O'Brien's favorite character since he receives more attention in this novel than Aubrey, and I had the same impression in the previous book "Post Captain," when he was developed even further than he was in the first book "Master and Commander."

To convey the characters' inner thoughts, devices such as journals and letters are employed to great effect. It's a letter that has the finest description of Maturin to date, as well as a letter that ends with a serious blow.

H.M.S. Surprise continues ahead at a pleasant and engaging pace as O'Brian gains his groove as a storyteller. The plot is thrilling and enjoyable to read, and the characters are well-developed and engaging. This novel will appeal to anybody who is interested in 19th-century ships and naval history, or simply enjoy a good narrative but keep in mind that you'll need to read the preceding volumes to grasp some of the details and back stories of the characters and events.

If you're not used to the writing style and old navy terms, Patrick O'Brian's books can be difficult to get into at first, but once you do, you won't be able to put them down. They're full of historical action and are a must-read for those who enjoy books in the context of Bernard Cornwell, Angus Donald, or Steven A McKay because they all are a magnificent mash-up of reality and fascinating narrative.

It's difficult to add to Patrick O'Brian's list of accolades for the series. I doubt you could get any closer to the true narrative of life in the navy at the time; it highlights the changes that have occurred since then, particularly in terms of travel. A sailor's and officer's life aboard a wooden ship was difficult, and these brilliantly painted figures transport the reader back into that time a few centuries. I am confident that this and the other works will continue to be read with zeal in the future.

The novel is exceptionally well-researched, well-paced, and beautifully written, depicting the period of sail in exquisite detail, and there was yet another fantastic adventure. I wasn't expecting it to be as good as Master and Commander, but it needed to be given more credit. It was a good novel that made me want to start reading the series again, but time restrictions prohibited me from doing so.

Only one element that may irritate some readers is the amount of time spent on land, since it slows down the pace, and action oriented readers may become bored even if the story is not uninteresting. Basically, the speed at sea or on the water is as quick as the ship, but on land, it seems like you're reading a Jane Austen novel, but that's just how it feels, and it's still a fun read provided you understand that both sea and land are necessary for the story's forward motion.

Final Thoughts:

Anyone who enjoys a wonderful narrative with interesting characters, adventure, tension, and just the tiniest hint of romance should read every Patrick O'Brien novel, especially the Aubrey Maturin series. Add in the fact that they're based on the logbooks of RN captains who sailed during the period he's writing about, and you've got yourself a history lesson in the most entertaining way possible.

It's the best in its genre. Do yourself a favor and read Patrick O'Brian if you haven't already. Find the first book in the series, "Master and Commander," and embark on a fantastic voyage that will take a long time due to the series' 19 volumes.

You will not be reading about a period and amazing characters; you will be experiencing the time and meeting and knowing the characters because Patrick O'Brian was a real wordsmith and a creator of wonders.

If this is your first exposure to the world of Aubrey and Maturin, you are in for a magnificent adventure that will last a lifetime. In a lot of respects, these books are a treasure.

Synopsis:

“"Few, very few books have made my heart thud with excitement. H.M.S. Surprise managed it." —Helen Lucy Burke, Irish Press

In H.M.S. Surprise, British naval officer Jack Aubrey and surgeon Stephen Maturin face near-death and tumultuous romance in the distant waters ploughed by the ships of the East India Company. Tasked with ferrying a British ambassador to the Sultan of Kampong, they find themselves on a prolonged voyage aboard a Royal Navy frigate en route to the Malay Peninsula. In this new sphere, Aubrey is on the defensive, pitting wits and seamanship against an enemy who enjoys overwhelming local superiority. But somewhere in the Indian Ocean lies the prize that could secure him a marriage to his beloved Sophie and make him rich beyond his wildest dreams: the ships sent by Napoleon to attack the China Fleet.”

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Rating: 95/100

Recommended: 95/100 Yes.

Buy The Kindle Version Here:

https://amzn.to/3lpQmr6

Free With Free Audible Trial:

https://amzn.to/3lq80uW

The Complete Aubrey/Maturin Novels (Hardcover):

https://amzn.to/3xCFZVv

Master and Commander (2003) (PG+):

https://amzn.to/3I7yZos

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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.

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Honest Book Reviews by Namsu

Pages

Desolation Island Review

Desolation Island

Author: Patrick O'Brian

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 Review:

Final Thoughts:

Synopsis:

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

Buy The Kindle Version Here:

Free With Free Audible Trial:

The Complete Aubrey/Maturin Novels (Hardcover):

Master and Commander (2003) (PG+):

The Mauritius Command Review

The Mauritius Command

Author: Patrick O'Brian

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 Review:

Final Thoughts:

Synopsis:

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

H. M. S. Surprise Review

H.M.S. Surprise

Author: Patrick O'Brian

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 Review:

Final Thoughts:

Synopsis:

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

Buy The Kindle Version Here:

Free With Free Audible Trial:

The Complete Aubrey/Maturin Novels (Hardcover):

Master and Commander (2003) (PG+):

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