Blue at the Mizzen: Book 20 (Aubrey-Maturin) - Softcover

9780002261289: Blue at the Mizzen: Book 20 (Aubrey-Maturin)
View all copies of this ISBN edition:
 
 

THE MUCH ANTICIPATED, NEW AUBREY/MATURIN NOVEL. ‘You are in for the treat of your lives. Thank God for Patrick O’Brian: his genius illuminates the literature of the English language, and lightens the lives of those who read him.’ KEVIN MYERS, Irish Times

’If we had only two or three of Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey-Maturin series, we would count ourselves lucky; with six or seven the author would be safely among the greats of historical fiction... This is great writing by an undiminished talent. Now on to Volume Twenty, and the liberation of Chile.’ WILLIAM WALDEGRAVE, Literary Review

This is the twentieth book in Patrick O’Brian’s highly acclaimed, bestselling series chronicling the adventures of lucky Jack Aubrey and his best friend Stephen Maturin, part ship’s doctor, part secret agent. The novel’s stirring action follows on from that of The Hundred Days. Napoleon’s hundred days of freedom and his renewed threat to Europe have ended at Waterloo and Aubrey has finally, as the title suggests, become a blue level admiral. He and Maturin have – at last – set sail on their much postponed mission to Chile. Vivid with the salty tang of life at sea, O’Brian’s writing is as powerful as ever whether he writes of naval hierarchies, night-actions or the most celebrated fictional friendship since that of Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson. Blue at the Mizzen also brings alive the sights and sounds of revolutionary South America in a story as exciting as any O’Brian has written.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Review:
Why do the sea-faring adventure novels of Patrick O'Brian enjoy such a phenomenally devoted readership? Actually, O'Brian enthusiasts can take their pick from a variety of qualities of excellence: The sheer command of writing technique; the adroit characterisation of his heroes, every bit as rich and well-rounded as anything in serious fiction; and, of course, the bracingly-realised atmosphere of the sea on which the author sets his tales of derring-do. The latest volume, Blue at the Mizzen, represents an even greater refinement of O'Brian's art.

His long-time protagonist Jack Aubrey is about to achieve his ambition. Unusually, his finances are in good order and his professional life is ship-shape. But as he reaches the upper echelons of the Captain's list, his prospects of gaining that final promotion are in the balance. In the powder-keg revolutionary atmosphere of South America, his shipmate Stephen Maturin is coming to terms with the loss of his wife by throwing himself into the intelligence work he so enjoys. Both men become involved in a series of labyrinthine intrigues, splendidly punctuated by the action that O'Brian delivers so well. And the writing is as non-pareil as ever:

"Then came the repeated broadsides: this was not the dumb show of usual practice at divisions, but the shattering din of battle, the flashing stabs of fire, the shriek of each gun's very dangerous recoil, the heady scent of powder-smoke along the decks."
Blue at the Mizzen is a treat for lovers of O'Brian and a perfect introduction for those who have not yet read him. --Barry Forshaw
Review:
I haven t read novels [in the past ten years] except for all of the Patrick O Brian series. It was, unfortunately, like tripping on heroin. I started on those books and couldn t stop.--E. O. Wilson"

Filled with exuberance and humor, and a writer's palpable delight at exercising his finest muscles. . . . At sea with a master.

O'Brian has presented his readers with a shining jewel...an intricate, multifaceted work.

I haven't read novels [in the past ten years] except for all of the Patrick O'Brian series. It was, unfortunately, like tripping on heroin. I started on those books and couldn't stop.--E. O. Wilson

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

  • PublisherHarperCollins
  • Publication date1999
  • ISBN 10 0002261286
  • ISBN 13 9780002261289
  • BindingPaperback
  • Number of pages320
  • Rating
Buy Used
1st UK edition. (6), 262 PP with... Learn more about this copy

Shipping: £ 15.06
From Australia to United Kingdom

Destination, rates & speeds

Add to Basket

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

9780393321074: Blue at the Mizzen

Featured Edition

ISBN 10:  ISBN 13:  9780393321074
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company, 2000
Softcover

  • 9780006513780: Blue at the Mizzen (Aubrey/Maturin Series): Book 20

    Harper..., 2003
    Softcover

  • 9780393048445: Blue at the Mizzen: 20 (Aubrey/Maturin Novels)

    W. W. ..., 1999
    Hardcover

  • 9780007275632: Blue at the Mizzen

    Harper..., 2008
    Softcover

  • 9780002259590: Blue at the Mizzen: Book 20 (Aubrey-Maturin)

    Harper..., 1999
    Hardcover

Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace

Seller Image

O'BRIAN, Patrick
Published by HarperCollins. London. . (1999)
ISBN 10: 0002261286 ISBN 13: 9780002261289
Used First Edition Quantity: 1
Seller:
Jean-Louis Boglio Maritime Books
(CYGNET, TAS, Australia)

Book Description 1st UK edition. (6), 262 PP with 1 sails plan of a square-rigged ship. Pictorial stiff covers. Light ageing of paper. Very good. 23.3 x 15.2. Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin off to South America on the "Surprise". Seller Inventory # 41347

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy Used
£ 6.39
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: £ 15.06
From Australia to United Kingdom
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

O'Brian, Patrick
Published by Harper Collins, London (1999)
ISBN 10: 0002261286 ISBN 13: 9780002261289
Used Soft cover Quantity: 1
Seller:
BOOK COLLECTORS GALLERY
(SUMMER HILL, NSW, Australia)

Book Description Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. Seller Inventory # 016872

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy Used
£ 6.39
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: £ 22.59
From Australia to United Kingdom
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

O'Brian, Patrick [Pseud. Patrick Russ]
ISBN 10: 0002261286 ISBN 13: 9780002261289
Used Soft Cover First Edition Quantity: 1
Seller:
Arapiles Mountain Books - Mount of Alex
(Castlemaine, VIC, Australia)

Book Description Soft Cover. Condition: VG. First Australian. 8vo. original printed paper wraps (first page excised, sealed-on protective plastic covering); pp. [iv (of vi)], 262, with a diagram. A very good copy. The twentieth Aubrey-Maturin novel. Seller Inventory # 023254

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy Used
£ 7.99
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: £ 22.19
From Australia to United Kingdom
Destination, rates & speeds