Patrick O’Brian, until his death in 2000, was one of our greatest contemporary novelists. He is the author of the acclaimed Aubrey–Maturin tales and the biographer of Joseph Banks and Picasso. He is the author of many other books including Testimonies, and his Collected Short Stories. In 1995 he was the first recipient of the Heywood Hill Prize for a lifetime’s contribution to literature. In the same year he was awarded the CBE. In 1997 he received an honorary doctorate of letters from Trinity College, Dublin. He lived for many years in South West France and he died in Dublin in January 2000.
‘If O’Brian’s novels have become a cult, this is because they are
truly addictive. . . They are, quite magnificently, adventure yarns
whose superb authenticity never distracts from the sheer thrill of
the action.’
Caroline Moore, Sunday Telegraph ‘My hero is Patrick O’Brian. It’s
basically impossible to write that well.’
David Mamet ‘One of the most compelling and brilliant novelists of
his time . . . Beyond his superbly elegant writing, wit and
originality, Patrick O’Brian showed an understanding of the nature
of a floating world at the mercy of the wind and the sea which has
never been surpassed.’
Max Hastings, Evening Standard ‘Written with most engaging
enthusiasm that can’t fail to give pleasure to anybody who enjoys
historical adventure flavoured with more than a dash of
realism.’
The Sunday Times ‘Patrick O’Brian brings depth to his sea-stories
with outstanding dialogue, characterisation, humour and a golden
thread of romance. You don’t have to love books about naval battles
to become entranced.’
Katie Fforde ‘The story has in it something like greatness. It is
naive, matter-of-fact; tragic, richly funny; closely detailed but
with a bold sweeping action. It goes on that very small shelf
reserved for authors who, disregarding aptitudes spin a story out
of the heart and soul of their experience and the joy of
living.’
TLS 'As always, the author's erudition and humour are on
display…the attention to period speech and detail is uncompromising
and while the cascades of natural love can be dizzying, both
aficionados and newcomers will be swept up by the richness of Mr
O'Brian's prodigious imagination.'
Scott Veale, New York Times
O'Brian's 1959 novel predates his popular Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin stories, but they, however, are quite similar to this title's protagonists, Jack Byron and Tobias Barrow. The plot finds them and a handful of crewmen struggling to stay alive and make their way back to civilization after the sinking of their ship.
'If O'Brian's novels have become a cult, this is because they
are truly addictive. . . They are, quite magnificently, adventure
yarns whose superb authenticity never distracts from the sheer
thrill of the action.'
Caroline Moore, Sunday Telegraph
'My hero is Patrick O'Brian. It's basically impossible to write
that well.'
David Mamet
'One of the most compelling and brilliant novelists of his time
. . . Beyond his superbly elegant writing, wit and originality,
Patrick O'Brian showed an understanding of the nature of a floating
world at the mercy of the wind and the sea which has never been
surpassed.'
Max Hastings, Evening Standard
'Written with most engaging enthusiasm that can't fail to give
pleasure to anybody who enjoys historical adventure flavoured with
more than a dash of realism.'
The Sunday Times
'Patrick O'Brian brings depth to his sea-stories with
outstanding dialogue, characterisation, humour and a golden thread
of romance. You don't have to love books about naval battles to
become entranced.'
Katie Fforde
'The story has in it something like greatness. It is naive,
matter-of-fact; tragic, richly funny; closely detailed but with a
bold sweeping action. It goes on that very small shelf reserved for
authors who, disregarding aptitudes spin a story out of the heart
and soul of their experience and the joy of living.'
TLS
'As always, the author's erudition and humour are on
display...the attention to period speech and detail is
uncompromising and while the cascades of natural love can be
dizzying, both aficionados and newcomers will be swept up by the
richness of Mr O'Brian's prodigious imagination.'
Scott Veale, New York Times
|
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
