HMS Surprise

By Patrick O'Brian

'HMS Surprise' continues the story begun in 'Post Captain', and rounds off the initial introduction phase of the Aubrey/Maturin series. From this book onwards all the primary characters and supporting cast (including Capt Aubrey's favourite ship) have been established and over the next ten or so novels O'Brian explores a range of ideas. 'HMS Surprise' however, though shorter than 'Post Captain', moves faster, but with the same depth of detail and style.




The Mauritius Command

By Patrick O'Brian

With this novel, O'Brian sets out on a literary campaign almost as insurmountable as the military campaign it attempts to describe, and as a consequence, I think O'Brian stumbles for the first time. That isn't to say the book isn't good, it is, but the story rambles so much that it becomes quite hard to keep a track of who where and why and what for. Jack and Stephen are sent to South Africa to launch a campaign against two French held islands in the Southern Indian Ocean, with Jack appointed as a Commodore over a squadron of frigates for the duration of the mission. Ranged against them are several big flashy French frigates, but as the story progresses, both sides lose and gain ships with such rapidity, that its often impossible to remember which ship is which. With Jack absent half the time and Stephen observing the bitter and ill fated adventures of one of Jack's rivals in the service, a lot of the time this novel strikes me a an attempt to recapture something of 'Master and Commander', only on a far grander scale. The only problem is, the novel is too short, and the whole thing comes off badly, even though the premise of the story, and even the story itself is interesting enough.




Desolation Island

By Patrick O'Brian

Back on form with a vengeance, O'Brian dissolves much of Jack and Stephen's previous gains in a run of terrible luck for the two friends. Jack Aubrey is appointed Captain of the 50 gun Leopard and ordered to go to Australia to deal with Captain Bligh (he of HMS Bounty) but to his disgust he must also take a group of convicts with him. Jack is about to refuse but Stephen Maturin persuades him otherwise for one of the convicts is an American agent and Stephen is tasked to investigate her.

Alas, nothing goes well for the unlucky Leopard and after a series of near catastrophic events the Leopard and her dimished crew find themselves stranded on an island so desolate, its very name is desolation.

This is a darker, bleaker story than any of the preceding novels, but it works well regardless. Events in the book take place with a steady even pace and the characters have time to develop and evolve as events unfold.





The Fortune of War

By Patrick O'Brian

This novel is a direct continuation of 'Desolation Island', but now there is an even stronger American flavour to the story, for Jack and Stephen find themselves caught up in the events of the War of 1812, with Stephen's actions in the previous book bringing dire peril almost upon them. Taken prisoner by the Americans, it takes all of their skill and courage, and not a little of O'Brian's wit, to make their escape.

In many ways this novel is even darker than the previous one, not least for Stephen, but its slightly hampered by the amazing coincidences O'Brian must manufacture to squeeze in as much history as possible and this is rather unusual for the series, as in all the other novels, history is not quite to the fore as it is in 'The Fortune of War'. Another minus is the lack of anything much to do for Jack, who is relagated to the passive role of a man injured in battle, for the second novel running.

Soldiering On In Gereshk

The Firebird

Artist of the Month; NC Wyeth

Almost five years into this blog and I've not mentioned one of the greatest illustrators of the Golden Age! Newell Convers Wyeth is one of the most famous illustrators in American history and his work is still famous today sixty six years after his death. Famous that is, to those who pay attention to illustration at least.


Wyeth was an industrious illustrator, but his most famous work, that which has guaranteed the memory of his work, were book illustrations he did for such classics as 'Treasure Island', 'Kidnapped', 'King Arthur', 'Robin Hood', 'The Last of the Mohicans' and 'Robinson Crusoe'. These paintings, done in a similar style to the work of Wyeth's former tutor Howard Pyle, are full of colour and vigour, and have proven an inspiration to many a latter illustrator, concept artist or art student. I know I have been influenced by Wyeth's work and I've often poured my gaze over his images with loving jealousy.

Master and Commander

By Patrick O'Brian

This is the eighth time I've read this novel and its still brilliant! The humour, the depth of description, the details, they are all just as fresh and lively as if I'd only just bought the book. In point of fact it is now twelve years since I first encountered the fantastic characters of Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin (not to be confused with Russel Crowe and Paul Bettany, especially Bettany).

I previously reviewed this book the last time I read it, in 2006, and my thoughts now echo my thoughts then. The story still seems well written, the characters are easy to empathise with and the plot moves with the urgent lassitude that is the hallmark of a decent plot.

For me, reading these novels again is like returning to a favourite place where old friends receive you with a warm welcome. No other author has ever managed to create a world of the mind which I could enter and re enter so readily. When I was young, I used to lament the fact that 'The Hobbit' was just a book and no matter how hard I yearned for it, I could never cross the Misty Mountains with Bilbo, Gandalf and twelve obstinate dwarves. They would forever live in my mind as static and preserved as insects in amber. As an adult, the Aubrey Maturin books don't quite make me yearn to sail the sea's fighting Napoleon, but I do wish I'd met Patrick O'Brian!

In this, the first book, the story is self contained and the characters are not written with the depth of story telling that follows in the latter books. Consequently there are a few inconsistencies with the later novels, and a lot of the book is written with a need to explain historical context. O'Brian also burns a few bridges along the way, bridges he will later need to rebuild, as the series takes on a life of its own and for this reason, the novel doesn't have the comforting aura of familiarity which settles into existence somewhere during 'Post Captain'. For all that, it reads true and the personality conflicts which arise between the three main characters, with their emphasis on Irish rebellion and the pressures it laces on those who have survived it, is still a most entertaining read. I would recommend this book to any one who has a sense of humour approaching my own.




Post Captain

By Patrick O'Brian

Just as good, if not better than 'Master and Commander', in 'Post Captain' the story of who Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin are, matures into being, with a range of supporting characters being introduced and the settled familiarity which will carry the next sixteen novels establishing itself firmly.

O'Brian is said to have taken his inspiration from Jane Austen and this has been remarked upon by a great many critics who see numerous parrallels between the two authors. I can't see this yet as I have yet to read Austen (I have her works on my to-read shelf but I've not yet undertaken the pleasure) so I must accept the learned opinions of others, but I can see certain similarities between the dramatized versions of 'Pride and Prejudice' I've watched (and enjoyed) and 'Post Captain'. Essentially 'Post Captain' has several female characters who seem to be based on several of Austen's female characters, most obviously Mrs Williams who is a carbon copy of Mrs Bennet, only worse!

'Post Captain' has a great many of the rebuilt bridges I refered to earlier. Jack has to lose a portion of his easy going nature as well as all the prize money he won in the first book and Stephen has to suddenly blossom into an intelligence agent rather than a down at heel physician and former Irish rebel. O'Brian manages both of these transformations easily, inserting few contradictions and a great deal of sly mirth and he carries the day by developing a range of well drawn, and entertaining supporting cast, including my favourite Killick.

Its safe to say that age has brought a greater appreciation for Patrick O'Brian, and I enjoyed these books even more than I did in 2006!

Baggage wagons

I worked on these and some Teutonic cavalry in my spare time in the last two months. Four baggage elements completed, though the farm wagon still needs a cargo, and its oxen are yet to be painted. The cargo on the water wagon is detachable, as is the articulated ballista on the artillery cart.

Day three and Vilde (pronounced Vil-da) has settled into the standard eat-shit-sleep routine of all babies but shows some interest in her surroundings. Magne has shown very little signs of jealousy and Freja is still at her grandparents. The best news is, since Vilde was born, the sun has been shining strongly. At last!

Vilde Rosa

Born 2nd March at 23:25.
4.1kg.