An Eye of the Fleet
Great nautical fiction - This book started out very slowly for me. I didn t care much for the writing style and the battle scene didn t do anything for me. To boot, our hero, Midshipman Drinkwater, is subordinate to a tyrant Midshipman, Mr. Morris, who has twisted desires and practices such on the younger, weaker, and defenseless middies and sailors. (This guy is reminiscent of the mean Midshipman in the first Hornblower movie, with the added characteristic that he doesn t just annoy everyone, he `bugs them). It s awful and makes you sick. Well, why 5 stars? The story does pick up and the author, Richard Woodman, shows that he can create suspense and describe a battle scene with the best of them. He s also very knowledgeable and his allusions to various historical persons and events make this book an interesting read. Although Morris is always there, we don t get any more details other than at the beginning, so it s bearable. We all know that he ll get what s coming to him in the end and you can hardly wait for that bit of Schadenfreude. (No spoiler here, though!). There are more books in the series and I will attack them as well. Woodman is a very good writer. This book is not for the young reader--do not give this to your grandson. Woodman is also host on the very good DVD Sea Warriors: the Royal Navy in the Age of Sail for which I have written a review. Check that out as well.
Brilliant first novel. - Brilliant stuff! As first novels, these are almost as subtle and enigmatic as P.O B s later works, but just as gripping as his early stuff, similarly based on historical fact, they are definitely a cut above the rest. Excellent descriptions of below-decks and battle actions take you right inside the ship, an acquaintance with nautical terminology helps, but is not vital, to understand the gist of the action or the day- to-day management of the ship - e.g. the handling of sails is particularly well-described, far better than any other book I ve read. and succinct descriptions of wind, weather and tide preface each event, the stage is already set - action soon follows.The hard life below decks is brought horrifically home in the first few pages - the impotence of the younger gentlemen in the face of overbearing bullying is brought sharply into focus, as is the rough justice of the foremast jacks - stark reality is served up in healthy measure here, with a side salad of intrigue and a dressing of young love.None of the incidents or fortunate strokes of luck seem contrived, rather they develop naturally as Nat matures from innocence into almost cynical youth.Read the following books - they get better with each tale. *****
Brilliant first novel. - Eye of the FleetBrilliant stuff! As first novels, these are almost as subtle and enigmatic as P.O B s later works, but just as gripping as his early stuff, similarly based on historical fact, they are definitely a cut above the rest. Excellent descriptions of below-decks and battle actions take you right inside the ship, an acquaintance with nautical terminology helps, but is not vital, to understand the gist of the action or the day-to-day management of the ship - e.g. the handling of sails is particularly well-described, far better than any other book I ve read. and succinct descriptions of wind, weather and tide preface each event, the stage is already set - action soon follows.The hard life below decks is brought horrifically home in the first few pages - the impotence of the younger gentlemen in the face of overbearing bullying is brought sharply into focus, as is the rough justice of the foremast jacks - stark reality is served up in healthy measure here, with a side salad of intrigue and a dressing of young love. None of the incidents or fortunate strokes of luck seem contrived, rather they develop naturally as Nat matures from innocence into almost cynical youth.Read the following books - they get better with each tale. *****