Most helpful customer reviews
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding anticipation, Sep 17 2003
How did I ever leave this book sitting on a shelf since 1995? This book is a great place to start reading Patrick O'Brian's sea novels. This story of a minor ship in Anson's expedition to "trouble the Spanish" in the Pacific (see O'Brian's GOLDEN OCEAN, following the other ships of the squadron, for the broader, parallel picture of that remarkable voyage) not only precedes the commencement of O'Brian's famous Jack Aubrey/Stephen Maturin series (set during the Napoleonic wars 60 years later), but develops two characters that have uncanny similarities to the later heartiness of Jack and the erudite innocence of Stephen. The relationship here between Jack Byron, helpful friend and midshipman, and Tobias, the surgeon's mate, anticipates in so many ways the characteristics of the famous Aubrey/Maturin duo. Not only was O'Brian full of youthful enthusiasm when he wrote this story, but he often explains his customary obscure references to the ancient ways of the sailor, making hilarious use of the lubberly landsman, Tobias-hilarious, that is, in a restrained British way and perhaps only recognizable once you've learned enough to catch the meaning of the ever-present nautical slang. Unique to this book, O'Brian inserts from time to time his own editorial comments on the action, again helping to explain antique situations to the modern reader. My only knock on this story is that it eventually drags during the endlessly grinding struggle for survival along the wild and desolate unknown shore, and then wraps up too quickly. The same struggles against surf and hunger are repeated at least three times, although most artfully written without repeating the same phrases. I highly recommend you read this story soon after beginning to read O'Brian's sea novels, for it is really a glimpse into what the earlier careers of Aubrey and Maturin could have been before we first meet them already well-advanced in MASTER AND COMMANDER. As always in the Norton editon, Geoff Hunt's cover art is precise, detailed, and relevant to the story. The joyousness of the writing and antics in this story remind me of Capt. Marryat's less believable book, MR. MIDSHIPMAN EASY.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Suffering on an Unknown Shore, Aug 16 2002
Suffering, suffering and more suffering on an unknown shore; cast onto the rocks just Northwest of the Horn these two friends, little more than children, must endure the terrible hardships of mariners unlucky enough to run aground half a world away from home. Jack and Toby are the best of friends in a time in human history when death was preferable to dishonor. Patrick O'Brian is the kind of writer that makes us care about these young men and their shipmates enough to read through an incredible ordeal. Yes we can see the blue print for the Aubrey and Maturin characters of later O'Brian books, but that is not what makes this a great work. O'Brian's writing depicting a cold and far off land filled with a unremitting savagery and a loneliness that would break the hardest heart is what kept me turning the pages of this wonderful book. If you enjoyed the Aubrey and Maturin books, you will love The Unknown Shore. If you have not read any Patrick O'Brian before, please start with this one. You will not be disappointed
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Evokes the Whaleship Essex- epic., April 27 2002
I heartily agree with the other reviewer's praise of this wonderful book. I wish only to add that the final part is strikingly similar to - In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick. That account of an epic adventure suffered from what I'd call 'reportage'. I recall as I read that exciting book I found myself longing for the enthralling descriptive power of Patrick O'Brian marvelous prose. So imagine my joy in discovering this book! O'Brian's masterful capacity to evoke the verisimilitude of these sailors plight wonderfully enhanced my memory the Essex book. I was so pleased!
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