Signor Finzione Posted January 9, 2015 Share Posted January 9, 2015 I think I've said this before but about another series: is there anything Jo Walton hasn't read (and then written about)?? She must have a lot of time on her hands! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Pixie Posted January 10, 2015 Share Posted January 10, 2015 I've set a few ground rules for myself this year, too, primarily that I'm no longer going to force myself to finish a book if I'm not enjoying it. I did that up until now and I drove myself through some absolute stinkers last year. No more! I will no longer be a slave to the guilt of unfinished books! Those suckers are getting dumped if they fail to entertain me - the charity shop isn't that far away Bah, that`ll teach `em ! If only I can be so brave. I`ve found myself more interested in storywriters than authors lately ; I`d rather read a book by someone who can actually tell a story than someone with lots of prizes who just doesn`t make me happy. Hope you have a good 2015 reading year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted January 12, 2015 Author Share Posted January 12, 2015 She must have a lot of time on her hands! Yeah, I've no idea how she manages to read all those books and write all those articles/reviews/blogs/books Hope you have a good 2015 reading year. Thanks Sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted January 12, 2015 Author Share Posted January 12, 2015 Treason's Harbour (Aubrey/Maturin Book #9) by Patrick O'Brian 1983 - Harper ebook - 400 pages 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. Note: This book begins 2-3 weeks after the events of The Ionian Mission. I liked: The espionage thrills and spills. The story begins as Jack and Stephen are sitting in the town square not knowing that they are being spied upon, by French agents, from the clock tower of a nearby building, and it's just the start of their cat and mouse adventure. The setting of Malta and the atmosphere the writing evokes. It's just bursting with character. One or two lengthy missions away from Malta, including one to the Red Sea that involves a long march across the desert, double-crosses, and attacks by Bedouin tribesmen. The way both Jack and Stephen are rumoured to be involved with Laura Fielding, a young, beautiful Italian woman whose English naval office husband is being held prisoner by the French. And the only reason this applies to Jack is because her dog takes a shine to him The way O'Brien lets us know about a double agent whilst the characters remain in the dark. Trust no-one, Stephen! The humour. It's so funny in places. I disliked: Another cliffhanger ending, meaning I have to go straight onto the next book. Of course I do! After all, there is not a moment to be lost! This is fast becoming my favourite series - ever - and this is another enthralling, thrilling entry. Masterful storytelling, perfect in just about every way. Fabulous. Memorable Quotes: 'The boy says that is Mahommed ibn Rashid, the great enormous fat man of the Beni Khoda, the heaviest man in the northern wilderness. The horse is his. It was thought most suitable for you,' said Hairabedian. 'Well,' said Jack, 'There is nothing like candour.' 'Give me a précis.' 'A what, sir?' cried Jack. 'A succinct abridgment, a summary, an abstract, for God's sake. You remind me of a half-witted midshipman I took aboard the Ajax once, in kindness to his father. "Have you no nous?" I asked him. "No sir," says he. "I did not know it would be wanted aboard ship, but shall certainly purchase some when next ashore."' Certainly he had heard of Homer, and had indeed looked into Mr Pope's version of his tale; but for aught he could make out, the fellow was no seaman. Admittedly Ulysses has no chronometer, and probably no sextant neither; but with no more than log, lead and lookout an officer-like commander would have found his way home from Troy a damned sight quicker than that. Hanging around in port and philandering, that was what it amounted to, the vice of navies from the time of Noah to that of Nelson. 'Listen to this, Stephen, will you?' he said, when they were in longitude 19o 45' East. '" Sir, I have the honour to acquaint you that pursuant to your orders of the third ultimo I proceeded to Tina with the party under my command and from thence to Suez with a Turkish escort, where I embarked in HEI Company's sloop Niobe and, having eventually taken the Turkish contingent aboard, proceeded in adverse weather to the Mubara channel . . . where I made a complete cock of it." Now the point is, how can I best say that without looking too much of a fool?' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Signor Finzione Posted January 12, 2015 Share Posted January 12, 2015 I've just realised: are these books that inspired that Russell Crowe film? I like your new style of including quotes in your reviews, by the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 There are some complicated / unknown-to-me words in those quotes! I'm glad you're enjoying these books ! I really do like your new style of reviewing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted January 13, 2015 Author Share Posted January 13, 2015 (edited) I've just realised: are these books that inspired that Russell Crowe film? I like your new style of including quotes in your reviews, by the way. Thanks Laura And yeah, it is the series that the film was based on. Parts of the film's story were lifted from different books (there's a few bits from the first book, Master & Commander, and I've just started the 10th book, The Far Side of the World, which I'm assuming will contain a lot more, given that it was the film's title). I'd love them to make more! Crowe's nothing like the Jack Aubrey I know from the books, though, and it's annoying to have his voice and dodgy accent constantly in my head when I'm reading Jack's dialogue. I imagine Jack looking more like Steven Waddington (below), who played the English officer in Last of the Mohicans. He definitely looks right for the part. But I'm guessing the film might never have been made if Crowe hadn't thrown his weight behind it. It's not quite the sin of casting Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher, thankfully There are some complicated / unknown-to-me words in those quotes! Not so much in those quotes, but there are a lot of words I don't know in the books Although I own up to book #10 in paperback I've read the last couple on Kindle and being able to just tap a word to get the meaning - so much easier to do than on the old Kindle Keyboard - has increased my enjoyment of the books even further. When I was reading the paperbacks I'd occasionally look up a word, or Google something or other, but most of the time I just guessed the meanings and carried on. Plus if it's not in the dictionary the Kindle goes off and looks it up in Wikipedia, so I feel like I'm getting so much more out of the stories and the writing, and learning at the same time. I my Kindle Voyage Edited January 13, 2015 by Karsa Orlong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 Not so much in those quotes, but there are a lot of words I don't know in the books Although I own up to book #10 in paperback I've read the last couple on Kindle and being able to just tap a word to get the meaning - so much easier to do than on the old Kindle Keyboard - has increased my enjoyment of the books even further. When I was reading the paperbacks I'd occasionally look up a word, or Google something or other, but most of the time I just guessed the meanings and carried on. Plus if it's not in the dictionary the Kindle goes off and looks it up in Wikipedia, so I feel like I'm getting so much more out of the stories and the writing, and learning at the same time. I my Kindle Voyage Yeah, that's a really neat feature ! My Kindle Paperwhite can do that too since the update, I find it quite handy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Begins Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 It's not quite the sin of casting Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher, thankfully I my Kindle Voyage Worst. Ever. I'm glad you are liking your "Christmas present" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Pixie Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 I`m also adding my kudos to your new reviewer style ; it`s really nice to read it on a PC monitor, it really pops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willoyd Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 (edited) Parts of the film's story were lifted from different books (there's a few bits from the first book, Master & Commander, and I've just started the 10th book, The Far Side of the World, which I'm assuming will contain a lot more, given that it was the film's title). I'd love them to make more! So would I, but it appears highly unlikely (in spite of Russell Crowe encouraging people to campaign for one!). I love the Aubrey/Maturin stories, and having read my last one quite a few years ago, I've decided to go back and start all over again, and am currently halfway through M&C. It is, of course, brilliant! As to the film, I remember it as a real mish-mash of the books, with the most coming, as you say, from The Far Side of the World. I don't remember much at all from M&C - just the one raft-based incident, although there may have been others I didn't (or have yet to) recognise. Loved the film - one of my favourite half dozen. Crowe's nothing like the Jack Aubrey I know from the books, though, and it's annoying to have his voice and dodgy accent constantly in my head when I'm reading Jack's dialogue. I imagine Jack looking more like Steven Waddington, who played the English officer in Last of the Mohicans. I have to admit that I think Crowe makes a brilliant Aubrey. OK, not like as described in the book, but for me he certainly evokes the character really well. Edited January 13, 2015 by willoyd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted January 14, 2015 Author Share Posted January 14, 2015 I`m also adding my kudos to your new reviewer style ; it`s really nice to read it on a PC monitor, it really pops. Oh thanks, Sarah, that's good to hear So would I, but it appears highly unlikely (in spite of Russell Crowe encouraging people to campaign for one!). I love the Aubrey/Maturin stories, and having read my last one quite a few years ago, I've decided to go back and start all over again, and am currently halfway through M&C. It is, of course, brilliant! As to the film, I remember it as a real mish-mash of the books, with the most coming, as you say, from The Far Side of the World. I don't remember much at all from M&C - just the one raft-based incident, although there may have been others I didn't (or have yet to) recognise. Loved the film - one of my favourite half dozen. Yes, the raft incident, and wasn't Maturin's first 'trepanning' in Master & Commander as well? I seem to remember it happening quite early on I have to admit that I think Crowe makes a brilliant Aubrey. OK, not like as described in the book, but for me he certainly evokes the character really well. I don't dislike Russell Crowe in the role, he's just not how I imagine Aubrey - he's much taller in my mind, and generally bigger. And Maturin - Paul Bettany seems way too tall for the character on the page. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a great film, but I've been holding off re-watching it whilst I'm reading the books, just so I don't get those actors stuck in my head. Enjoy your re-read! Have a glance at this, if you get a chance as you go along - it's quite fun to read the reviews after reading each book Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted January 15, 2015 Author Share Posted January 15, 2015 Found out that, just before Christmas, the BBC Radio 4 'Bookclub' programme's 200th edition celebrated the centenary of Patrick O'Brian's birth by discussing the Aubrey/Maturin series and the first book, Master & Commander, in particular. Quite an interesting listen. Also, as further part of the celebration, Benedict Cumberbatch has been reading the seventh book, The Surgeon's Mate, although only just found out and some of the earlier episodes have been and gone. Links here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Signor Finzione Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 Benedict Cumberbatch has been reading the seventh book, The Surgeon's Mate, Is he doing it in his Smaug voice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted January 16, 2015 Author Share Posted January 16, 2015 Is he doing it in his Smaug voice? If I said 'yes' would go and listen to it? Yes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Begins Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Signor Finzione Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 If I said 'yes' would go and listen to it? Yes! I probably would, just for sh-its and giggles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted January 17, 2015 Author Share Posted January 17, 2015 Well I said 'yes', so off you go then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted January 17, 2015 Author Share Posted January 17, 2015 The Far Side of the World (Aubrey/Maturin Book #10) by Patrick O'Brian 1984 - Harper ebook - 406 pages It is still the War of 1812. Patrick O’Brian takes his hero Jack Aubrey and his tetchy, sardonic friend Stephen Maturin on a voyage as fascinating as anything he has ever written. They set course across the South Atlantic to intercept a powerful American frigate outward bound to play havoc with the British whaling trade. If they do not come up with her before she rounds the Horn, they must follow her into the Great South Sea and as far across the Pacific as she may lead them. It is a commission after Jack’s own heart. Maturin has fish of his own to fry in the world of secret intelligence. Aubrey has to cope with a succession of disasters – men overboard, castaways, encounters with savages, storms, typhoons, groundings, shipwrecks, to say nothing of murder and criminal insanity. That the enemy is in fact faithfully dealt with, no one who has the honour of Captain Aubrey’s acquaintance can take leave to doubt. Note: This book begins shortly after the events of Treason's Harbour. I liked: Pretty much everything! To qualify that, whereas the previous few books were localised around the Mediterranean, this one is a glorious journey from one side of the world to the other. It leaves behind a lot of the intrigue and thrills of the previous book, which is a shame, but it creates much excitement of its own along the way. As a result, the story is largely set in the self-contained world of Aubrey's ship, the Surprise, along with all the trials and tribulations that entails, whether of man's making or Mother Nature's. The atmosphere created by O'Brian's descriptions of the weather they encounter along the way is unbelievably good. Some of the secondary characters really come to the fore, particularly Bonden and Mowett. I loved the sub-plot that took place between Mr Hollom and the gunner, Horner, and his wife (apparently Hollom's a 'wind-eating Jonah for all his success cruising in the gunner's private waters' ). It moved from happy to sad to scary to tragic with such masterful ease. One particular event, where Stephen goes overboard, was brilliant and completely unexpected. There is conflict between Jack and Stephen, which works beautifully. The ending is completely different to what I expected. This is a good thing! I disliked: Nothing. I thought it was pretty much perfect. However, O'Brian himself noted in his foreword that this is the point in his tale where actual history is pretty much used up, and that much of what follows beyond this book is down to his invention. Only time will tell how I feel about that. Along with Desolation Island, I'd say this one is a good point to dip one's toe into the water, so to speak, as much of the ongoing story is left behind once Surprise departs Gibraltar. The story ebbs and flows like the tide, it's completely alive with character, it's exciting, tense, funny, tragic, and one particular storm is quite terrifying. I don't often chain-read a series like I have these last three books without my enthusiasm dropping off a cliff, but it hasn't happened here. I really enjoyed the first four books but, from Desolation Island onwards it has been fabulous. So tempted to go straight into the next one - after all, there is not a moment to be lost! - but I may take a short break and read something else first. Memorable Quotes On Jack's character: Jack Aubrey thoroughly enjoyed life; he was of a cheerful sanguine disposition, his liver and lights were in capital order, and unless the world was treating him very roughly indeed, as it did from time to time, he generally woke up feeling please and filled with a lively expectation of enjoying the day. This amused me 'There is that ass Baker,' said Dundas, nodding in the direction of the captain of the Iris. 'He came aboard me yesterday, trying to get one of my hands, a forecastleman called Blew.' 'Why did he do that?' asked Jack. 'Because he dresses his bargemen in all colours of the rainbow, and likes them to have answerable names. He has a Green, a Brown, a Black, a White, a Gray and even a Scarlet, and he fairly longed for my John Blew: offered me a brass nine-pounder he had taken from a French privateer. Somebody must have told him that Iris meant rainbow in Greek,' added Dundas, seeing that Jack still looked puzzled, if not downright stupid. On one of the storms: From that time on until full darkness and beyond it was an incessant battle with mad blasts of wind from every direction, thunder and lightning right overhead, unbelievably steep seas that made no sense at all, bursting with such force that they threatened to engulf the ship - bursting as though they were over a reef, although there was no bottom to be found with any line the ship possessed. All this and such freaks as a water-spout that collapsed on their astonished heads, bringing the maindeck level with the surface for several minutes; and without a pause thunder bellowed about them, while St Elmo's fire flickered and blazed on the bowsprit and cat-heads. It was a time or rather - since ordinary time was gone by the board - a series of instant shifts and expedients, of surviving from one stunning thunderclap and invasion of water to the next and between them making fast such things as the jollyboat, the binnacle itself and the booms that had carried away. And all the while the pumps turned like fury, flinging out tons of water that the sea or the sky flung right back again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 Hope you have a great reading year, Steve (I'm a bit late ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willoyd Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 (edited) The Far Side of the World (Aubrey/Maturin Book #10) by Patrick O'Brian Can't wait - sounds fantastic. This is one I'm looking forward to particularly, as I loved the film. (Yes, I know it'll be different, but I actually enjoy comparing media and the way directors/writers etc transfer from one to the other). Although I'm rereading the first few in the series to get going again, and, as you know, have just finished M&C, my favourite to date has been The Mauritius Command, so will be interesting to compare. BTW - you said on my thread that you have started to enjoy reading the background history. If you haven't read it already....that last sentence reminds me that a brilliant book (a full six stars) which gives the real history behind that Mauritius campaign is Stephen Taylor's Storm and Conquest, about the Indian Ocean campaign of 1808-1810. Edited January 17, 2015 by willoyd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted January 18, 2015 Author Share Posted January 18, 2015 Hope you have a great reading year, Steve (I'm a bit late ). Thanks bobbly, you too! If you haven't read it already....that last sentence reminds me that a brilliant book (a full six stars) which gives the real history behind that Mauritius campaign is Stephen Taylor's Storm and Conquest, about the Indian Ocean campaign of 1808-1810. Thanks, I shall definitely look into that I already had my eye on Clayton/Craig's Trafalgar: The Men, The Battle, The Storm, which you mentioned elsewhere, and on John Sugden's hefty two-volume biography of Nelson (although I might start with something a bit . . . shorter than that!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willoyd Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 (edited) Thanks, I shall definitely look into that I already had my eye on Clayton/Craig's Trafalgar: The Men, The Battle, The Storm, which you mentioned elsewhere, and on John Sugden's hefty two-volume biography of Nelson (although I might start with something a bit . . . shorter than that!). I have that TBR too! Roger Knight's single volume biography is outstanding, and is very positively reviewed. (Do you get the impression that I have a mild interest in the period?!). Edited January 18, 2015 by willoyd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted January 19, 2015 Author Share Posted January 19, 2015 BTW - you said on my thread that you have started to enjoy reading the background history. If you haven't read it already....that last sentence reminds me that a brilliant book (a full six stars) which gives the real history behind that Mauritius campaign is Stephen Taylor's Storm and Conquest, about the Indian Ocean campaign of 1808-1810. Thanks for the tip re Storm and Conquest - I had a look at it yesterday and it looks fantastic. I also saw this one about Edward Pellew which looks good. Have put both on the wishlist for now, as I'll probably start with Trafalgar: The Men, The Battle, The Storm. I have that TBR too! Roger Knight's single volume biography is outstanding, and is very positively reviewed. (Do you get the impression that I have a mild interest in the period?!). I can understand it, as my interest is currently growing exponentially I started reading Traitor's Blade on Saturday, a fantasy novel (first in a new series, naturally ) by Sebastien de Castell. The riff on the Musketeers appealed. But I got bored after around 100 pages and switched to the next O'Brian, The Reverse of the Medal, instead I've decided that I need to devote some time to the many series I already have on the go before starting any others . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timstar Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 I've decided that I need to devote some time to the many series I already have on the go before starting any others . . . Don't we all As I've almost finished the Sharpe books I'm getting more and more tempted by Aubrey/Maturin... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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