By Patrick O'Brian
Well it's been a while but I'm back starting the second half of the Patrick O'Brian books. Why did I ever wait so long? I want to say that these two books are the best on the series so far, but in a series of richly told stories that read as one, well then these two volumes only stand to further enhance the wonderfully told tale of Jack Aubrey and Stephen Mautrin.
Back from the far side of the world JA is awash in money. Never a good spot to be in for a sailor on land. Before he even gets home he is given a stock tip on the coach into London, and so begins a walk that will lead Jack to having his commission to the Navy pulled out from under him. Struck from the Naval Seniority List. His life is over!
Enter our favorite surgeon. Who is intelligent in everything but knowing how much money he has, yet has just inherited a fortune unimaginable.
I don't want to give away the plot but suffice it to say that Stephen buys the Surprise when it is released from the service, Jack is beyond lucky in his sailings under a Letter of Marque, don't call him a priviteer, and Stephen and Diana reconcile?
Between the two books there really isn't the ship to ship battle action that one might expect yet I flew through the pages, 571 total, savoring the richness of the story and hanging on every twist and turn.
I realize that the story thread of these two books is not complete by the end of The Letter of Marque and I am quite excited to continue reading this series.
There are two bits of interest to note. In The Reverse of the Medal there is a mention of the marthambles, an affliction that Mr. Barrow is advised to consult Dr. Mautrin on next time it comes down. So what is the marthambles? Well read more about it here. The short answer is that is doesn't exist. The long answer is much more interesting.
Then at the end of The Letter of Marque they are all singing "ah tutti contenti saremo cosi." Thanks to the internet I was able to look up this phrase and find a recording of the song on youtube! It really is quite moving.
