The Far Side of the World - Patrick O'Brian

Not too many sea battles

This, the tenth book of the Aubrey/Maturin series, is one of my favourites because there are far fewer sea battles than in some of the books; these tend to confuse me. Though the recent film was called "Master and Commander" its plot is closest, but not identical to this book. It does, however, describe what it was like to travel around Cape Horn in a sailing ship in the foulest and most frightening conditions. One of the reasons why many people read these books so avidly is the way O'Brian includes the results of his meticulous historical research without ever making the story less interesting or formulaic. Here he includes a detailed account of whaling the days of sail and anyone interested in the history of medicine would be fascinated by the various treatments meted out to the sick and injured. But the characters never become subservient to the facts; they have all the contradictory traits of real people cooped up in the small space of the ship with a lot of others for months on end. O'Brian's enthusiasm for his subject is tremendous but he never becomes mushy or sentimental; the reader is spared nothing as O'Brian describes the hard, repetive work, the privations and the dangers of life at sea but somehow he makes us understand why, for men like Jack Aubrey, it was the situation in which they were most happy.

Far Side of the World - Another triumph!

I was initially going to award 4 stars because superficially nothing much happens in this, the 10th of the Aubrey /Maturin series. For example, there is no fleet action, nor a single real engagement in fact. This book does not contain fast paced action packed script but neither does this detract from the sheer class of the author (for those who have some patience and are not afraid of a little bit of research from time to time!) The lack of violence is insignificant compared to the epic sea vogage and depth of social interaction between the characters. The final chapters are set on a remote island and the interplay between the crews of the Norfolk and the Surprise (both ostensibly ship wrecked) and Jack's efforts to control the blossoming rivalry and hostility make such enjoyable reading that I had to award five stars. There is no way I, or any other author can surpass the skill with which O' Brian weaves his story nor his understanding of the period. Magnificent.

The pity of the world!

What's actually very interesting is the disparity of opinion here on O'Brien's writing and, of course, of the "Master and Commander" series especially. "Verbose" says one critic "Meaningless waffle" says another, as he recommends "Hornblower" as the real stuff. Of course it's easy for people like me who adore O'Brien's work to dismiss these critics as being insensitive to nuance or even plain ignorant, but, no, I don't believe that. Some people just don't take to O'Brien and, sure, I could see how some could think they see verbosity and waffle when they open these pages. But verbosity is a superfluity of words: words expended without any purpose and contributing nothing - mere waffle indeed. In reality there's nowhere that I can think of in O'Brien where such an accusation is deserved. Sure you need to read (and often to re-read) most carefully what he is saying, but if you have the time, the purpose of each and every single word is very clear and, in fact, O'Brien is extremely economical with his verbage, and he always, always sets out to convey exactly what he means to say! How refreshing that is when so often today a writer uses grand-sounding sentences and leaves you and me open mouthed in misunderstanding (and certain critics with the chance to say that the meaning is different according to the reader - but evidently deeply profound)! That's not O'Brien's style - the meaning is always unambiguously there for those with the perseverance to retrieve it. And that's the point: to put across complex (and often very novel) ideas about human nature,humanity, historical events, philosophy and classical learning and much more, you NEED quite a lot of words. The wisdom of O'Brien is extraordinarily deep. That he did not receive the Nobel prize is the pity of the world!

Enjoyable but not as good as the film

Having thoroughly enjoyedthe film, I was anxious to read the book, particularly as the other Amazon reviews were largely so positive. Whilst the book was enjoyable, even though the start was very slow, it became clear that the story was very different from the film and comletely lacked any description of military engagements. However, the other events in the book are no less exciting and the book ends in an intriguing stand-off on an isolated Pacific island.
On the downside, much of the text is given to technical, nautical descriptions that, although lending an air of authenticity, could have done with being explained in a glossary appended to the book. Large proportions of these descriptions are as about as comprehensible as Bulgarian! I would also suggest that the incident where the two protagonsits fall out of the stern window of their ship and are later miraculously rescued is more reminiscent of Captain Pugwash than Hornblower!!
This is a pleasant read and I would suspect that this book does not represent the highpoint in the series. I would certainly be willing to try another of these books by Patrick O'Brian.

Only one thing missing

I had been unreservedly enjoying this effectively abridged and beautifully read audio version of The Far Side of the World until it struck me that one thing had been abridged out, as it were: which it was Preserved Killick, the captain's steward, that wonderfully ill-tempered emotional barometer of the mood aboard HMS Surprise.

Killick's combination of surliness and devotion to Captain Aubrey have a universal echo and mirror perfectly the lower end of my relationship with my own job: damnably unhappy sometimes about the conditions in which I carry out my duties but unable, unwilling to do anything else.

Without Preserved Killick, the Surprise is missing something important. Without him the far side of the world, to which the ship is heading, seems more remote still.

Not too many sea battles

This, the tenth book of the Aubrey/Maturin series, is one of my favourites because there are far fewer sea battles than in some of the books; these tend to confuse me. Though the recent film was called "Master and Commander" its plot is closest, but not identical to this book. It does, however, describe what it was like to travel around Cape Horn in a sailing ship in the foulest and most frightening conditions. One of the reasons why many people read these books so avidly is the way O'Brian includes the results of his meticulous historical research without ever making the story less interesting or formulaic. Here he includes a detailed account of whaling the days of sail and anyone interested in the history of medicine would be fascinated by the various treatments meted out to the sick and injured. But the characters never become subservient to the facts; they have all the contradictory traits of real people cooped up in the small space of the ship with a lot of others for months on end. O'Brian's enthusiasm for his subject is tremendous but he never becomes mushy or sentimental; the reader is spared nothing as O'Brian describes the hard, repetive work, the privations and the dangers of life at sea but somehow he makes us understand why, for men like Jack Aubrey, it was the situation in which they were most happy.

Far Side of the World - Another triumph!

I was initially going to award 4 stars because superficially nothing much happens in this, the 10th of the Aubrey /Maturin series. For example, there is no fleet action, nor a single real engagement in fact. This book does not contain fast paced action packed script but neither does this detract from the sheer class of the author (for those who have some patience and are not afraid of a little bit of research from time to time!) The lack of violence is insignificant compared to the epic sea vogage and depth of social interaction between the characters. The final chapters are set on a remote island and the interplay between the crews of the Norfolk and the Surprise (both ostensibly ship wrecked) and Jack's efforts to control the blossoming rivalry and hostility make such enjoyable reading that I had to award five stars. There is no way I, or any other author can surpass the skill with which O' Brian weaves his story nor his understanding of the period. Magnificent.

The pity of the world!

What's actually very interesting is the disparity of opinion here on O'Brien's writing and, of course, of the "Master and Commander" series especially. "Verbose" says one critic "Meaningless waffle" says another, as he recommends "Hornblower" as the real stuff. Of course it's easy for people like me who adore O'Brien's work to dismiss these critics as being insensitive to nuance or even plain ignorant, but, no, I don't believe that. Some people just don't take to O'Brien and, sure, I could see how some could think they see verbosity and waffle when they open these pages. But verbosity is a superfluity of words: words expended without any purpose and contributing nothing - mere waffle indeed. In reality there's nowhere that I can think of in O'Brien where such an accusation is deserved. Sure you need to read (and often to re-read) most carefully what he is saying, but if you have the time, the purpose of each and every single word is very clear and, in fact, O'Brien is extremely economical with his verbage, and he always, always sets out to convey exactly what he means to say! How refreshing that is when so often today a writer uses grand-sounding sentences and leaves you and me open mouthed in misunderstanding (and certain critics with the chance to say that the meaning is different according to the reader - but evidently deeply profound)! That's not O'Brien's style - the meaning is always unambiguously there for those with the perseverance to retrieve it. And that's the point: to put across complex (and often very novel) ideas about human nature,humanity, historical events, philosophy and classical learning and much more, you NEED quite a lot of words. The wisdom of O'Brien is extraordinarily deep. That he did not receive the Nobel prize is the pity of the world!

Enjoyable but not as good as the film

Having thoroughly enjoyedthe film, I was anxious to read the book, particularly as the other Amazon reviews were largely so positive. Whilst the book was enjoyable, even though the start was very slow, it became clear that the story was very different from the film and comletely lacked any description of military engagements. However, the other events in the book are no less exciting and the book ends in an intriguing stand-off on an isolated Pacific island.
On the downside, much of the text is given to technical, nautical descriptions that, although lending an air of authenticity, could have done with being explained in a glossary appended to the book. Large proportions of these descriptions are as about as comprehensible as Bulgarian! I would also suggest that the incident where the two protagonsits fall out of the stern window of their ship and are later miraculously rescued is more reminiscent of Captain Pugwash than Hornblower!!
This is a pleasant read and I would suspect that this book does not represent the highpoint in the series. I would certainly be willing to try another of these books by Patrick O'Brian.

Only one thing missing

I had been unreservedly enjoying this effectively abridged and beautifully read audio version of The Far Side of the World until it struck me that one thing had been abridged out, as it were: which it was Preserved Killick, the captain's steward, that wonderfully ill-tempered emotional barometer of the mood aboard HMS Surprise.

Killick's combination of surliness and devotion to Captain Aubrey have a universal echo and mirror perfectly the lower end of my relationship with my own job: damnably unhappy sometimes about the conditions in which I carry out my duties but unable, unwilling to do anything else.

Without Preserved Killick, the Surprise is missing something important. Without him the far side of the world, to which the ship is heading, seems more remote still.