The Far Side of the World (1984)

The Far Side of the World

Maturin and Aubrey go to the far side of the world, around the southern tip of South America, out to the pacific, and on their way, they are castaways, and at the mercy of castrating Amazons. Why did I not find this offensive? Is it because Maturin understands why they are so angry at men? Is it because the women are such great sailors? This book has a potentially melodramatic bit of plotting having to do with a jealous husband and his wife but the lurid scenes take place off shore and out of our sight.

Yet again, Maturin and Aubrey prove their undying love for each other in manly ways that could only occur in the 19th century on the high seas. Thoroughly gripping, and enjoyable, and not without some moments of medical gore.
( )

Border's edition 13 cds

Read this one in Bermuda in the throes of a gale, with the wind howling, palms rustling, and the flag stretched straight out almost all day. There's something about reading an Aubrey-Maturin book within sight of the sea that just brings the words to life. Here we find our duo dispatched far into the reaches of the Pacific in search of an American warship sent to harry the English whalers. With a crack crew of sailors on the Surprise (plus a few former mutineers and lunatics thrown in for good measure), they're off to the "far side of the world," which several much-too-brief and always-cut-short stops for "botanizing" along the way.

With the usual good humor, surprises and rollicking good adventure that characterizes the series, a well done book (though I confess I was a bit surprised that a few plot threads that I expected would go somewhere ended up not amounting to a whole lot). ( )

The tenth book of the Aubrey/Matrin series finds the HMS Surprise rounding Cape Horn and sailing the Pacific in search of an American ship harassing whalers, the Norfolk. This book is one of the main sources for the film Master and Commander: Far Side of the World although there are some huge differences. I have to say I liked the movie better although I usually like the one I saw/read first. ( )

Read also Movie version in the library