Monthly Archives: September 2012

Patrick O’Brian, “The Far Side of the World”

Posted on September 30, 2012 by carolwallace

Writing about the 20-book Aubrey/Maturin series, I’ve tried not to fall into the “This-is-the-one-where…” mode. But The Far Side of the World contains one of my all-time favorite plot points and I can’t help referring to it. SPOILER ALERT This … Continue reading →

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Patrick O’Brian, “Treason’s Harbour”

Posted on September 28, 2012 by carolwallace

Well. Sorrow is starting to creep into the Aubrey/Maturin series. Treason’s Harbour is volume 9, nearly halfway through the span — though Patrick O’Brian, of course didn’t know that. And while I deeply enjoy the earlier, jolly installments of Jack’s and … Continue reading →

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Another Plug from Julian Fellowes

Posted on September 27, 2012 by carolwallace

I’m interrupting my Patrick O’Brian reverie to share news from London. (Actually posted to the To Marry an English Lord FB page by the daughter of my co-author Gail MacColl. Thank you, Isabel!) Evidently Julian Fellowes is now contemplating a prequel … Continue reading →

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Patrick O’Brian, “The Ionian Mission”

Posted on September 25, 2012 by carolwallace

The Ionian Mission is volume 8 of the Aubrey/Maturin novels, and it’s clear that by the time he wrote it, Patrick O’Brian knew he was writing on a very large scale. I bet he was grateful, over and over, that … Continue reading →

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Lee Child, “A Wanted Man”

Posted on September 24, 2012 by carolwallace

I cheated on Patrick O’Brian, with Lee Child. But anybody can tell this is a momentary diversion — for the long haul, who would select Jack Reacher over Stephen Maturin? (For one thing, the movie stars who play them? Tom … Continue reading →

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Patrick O’Brian, “The Surgeon’s Mate”

Posted on September 21, 2012 by carolwallace

Wait. Maybe The Surgeon’s Mate is even more my favorite Aubrey/Maturin than The Fortune of War. The jolly atmosphere and humor persist, but this book includes the long section where Stephen and Jack are imprisoned in the Temple, the notorious … Continue reading →

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Patrick O’Brian, “The Fortune of War”

Posted on September 18, 2012 by carolwallace

In a series as long as the Aubrey/Maturin books (twenty, all told), there are going to be standouts and there are also going to be low spots. The Fortune of War, Volume 6, is one of my favorites. First, humor … Continue reading →

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Patrick O’Brian, “Desolation Island”

Posted on September 15, 2012 by carolwallace

Desolation Island is the fifth book in Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey/Maturin series, and notable for a couple of reasons. First, it shows clear signs of O’Brian plotting on a larger scale than before: not only does he understand that he’s now … Continue reading →

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Patrick O’Brian, “The Mauritius Command”

Posted on September 12, 2012 by carolwallace

Are you getting bored with Patrick O’Brian yet? Because I have to warn you, I’m not. I’ve got Lee Child’s new novel on my Kindle, but what’s in my purse when I leave the house? Yes — that would be … Continue reading →

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Patrick O’Brian, H.M.S. Surprise

Posted on September 7, 2012 by carolwallace

H.M.S. Surprise is the third book in Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey/Maturin series and it may be the first in which we see evidence that O’Brian now knows he’s writing a series. In fact, that seems pretty clear in the way the book … Continue reading →

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