Genre: Nautical Fiction
Setting: The early 1800's in England, and on the high seas aboard British warships.
First sentence: The meandering track that ran around the wide curve of Falmouth Bay was just wide enough to allow passage to horse and rider, and only slightly less dangerous than the foot path which was some where beneath it.
This book is the twentieth in Kent's Bolitho series. This series currently runs to twenty-eight novels. Although it can be read as a stand alone novel, I suggest reading the Bolitho novels in order to better understand the story arcs which occur over several books.
Our main character is Vice Admiral Sir Richard Bolitho. The Bolitho novels have followed him since he was a young midshipman. Now he has ascended to high rank in the British Navy. Yet, he has maintained a modest self image. He is loved by a beautiful woman, he knows how to be a leader of men, but he is hounded by his doubts.
This installment of the series is part war story and part soap opera. We have the drama of battle on the high seas combined with the drama of love, friendship, and personal secrets.
Will Sir Richard be able tho keep the secret of his failing eyesight?
Can Catherine, Sir Richard's great love, maintain the secret of her humble beginnings?
Is there any way Bolitho can mend his broken frienship with his best friend Thomas Herrick?
What will happen between Bolitho's nephew Adam, and his great love Zenoria?
Zenoria has given birth to Adam's child even though she is married to another captain. Can she keep the secret of the child's true paternity?
Interwoven between the relationship drama is some fine naval warfare action. Bolitho's small squadron must battle the French. But now there is a pesky American frigate to deal with.
Even though Sir Richard is hounded by self doubts, in the end he proves his worth as a great naval commander.
For me, this was a fun read.
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Saturday, February 7, 2015
Flashman in the Great Game by George MacDonald Fraser
Genre: Historical Fiction
Setting: England and India during the reign of Queen Victoria.
First sentence: They don't often invite me to Balmoral nowadays, which is a blessing; those damned tartan carpets always put me off my food, to say nothing of the endless pictures of German royalty and that unspeakable statue of the Prince consort standing knock-kneed in a kilt.
This book is the fifth in Fraser's Flashman series which extends to twelve novels.
Our main character is Colonel Harry Flashman. Flashman has earned a reputation of being brave, courageous, and bold. He does not consider himself to be so. Reminiscent of Forest Gump, he just happens to be in the right place at the right time. He considers himself to be lucky at war, and successful with the ladies (If you know what I mean.).
In this novel, the British government has received information about a possible native uprising in India. Is seems that a Russian operative has been stirring up trouble. In addition,there is an Indian princess who has not accepted British rule.
The government needs to send someone to India to assess the state of the natives, investigate the Russian spy's activities, and to approach the Indian princess.
Who else could fill the bill but brave courageous Flashy?
And once again Flashman is unwillingly thrust into the fray.
This time he is at the beginning and the end of the Great Indian Mutiny of 1857.
This novel was published forty years ago. The story is told through Flashman's eyes. In giving Flashman his voice, the author has him use many pejorative adjectives when speaking of non-English characters. In doing so, the author makes copious use of the "n-word" When reading this novel I was struck at how unnecessary the use of that term was.
If the purpose was to accurately portray how prejudiced the British were, then the author was successful. However, I found the use to the word to be somewhat tiresome.
This novel is a grand story of Flashman's exciting and bawdy adventures. There is plenty of the excitement of war, and plenty of excitement with the ladies (Wink, wink.).
For me, an okay book.
Setting: England and India during the reign of Queen Victoria.
First sentence: They don't often invite me to Balmoral nowadays, which is a blessing; those damned tartan carpets always put me off my food, to say nothing of the endless pictures of German royalty and that unspeakable statue of the Prince consort standing knock-kneed in a kilt.
This book is the fifth in Fraser's Flashman series which extends to twelve novels.
Our main character is Colonel Harry Flashman. Flashman has earned a reputation of being brave, courageous, and bold. He does not consider himself to be so. Reminiscent of Forest Gump, he just happens to be in the right place at the right time. He considers himself to be lucky at war, and successful with the ladies (If you know what I mean.).
In this novel, the British government has received information about a possible native uprising in India. Is seems that a Russian operative has been stirring up trouble. In addition,there is an Indian princess who has not accepted British rule.
The government needs to send someone to India to assess the state of the natives, investigate the Russian spy's activities, and to approach the Indian princess.
Who else could fill the bill but brave courageous Flashy?
And once again Flashman is unwillingly thrust into the fray.
This time he is at the beginning and the end of the Great Indian Mutiny of 1857.
This novel was published forty years ago. The story is told through Flashman's eyes. In giving Flashman his voice, the author has him use many pejorative adjectives when speaking of non-English characters. In doing so, the author makes copious use of the "n-word" When reading this novel I was struck at how unnecessary the use of that term was.
If the purpose was to accurately portray how prejudiced the British were, then the author was successful. However, I found the use to the word to be somewhat tiresome.
This novel is a grand story of Flashman's exciting and bawdy adventures. There is plenty of the excitement of war, and plenty of excitement with the ladies (Wink, wink.).
For me, an okay book.
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