Aubrey-Maturin- Treason’s Harbour

Patrick O'Brian

• 15 juni 2005
• 9780007217403

Samenvatting:

Malta, in 1813, is ostensibly a safe harbour, yet the island is a nest of French spies, and even those in authority are not to be trusted.

Uniquely among authors of naval fiction, Patrick O’Brian’s characters develop with experience, and although the Jack Aubrey of 'Treason’s Harbour' has a record of successes to equal that of the most brilliant of Nelson’s band of brothers, and is no less formidable or decisive in action, he has grown wiser, kinder and gentler too.

Much of the novel’s plot concerns intelligence and counter-intelligence, the field in which Aubrey’s friend Stephen Maturin excels, and there is action and excitement aplenty, but it is the atmosphere of Malta that is so freshly and vividly conveyed here, crowded with senior officers waiting for news of the French and wondering whether the war will end before they get their turn for prize money and fame.

As Captain Jack Aubrey cools his heels in a Maltese harbour, awaiting repairs to his ship, war rages on. Fearing that hostilities will end before he has any further opportunities for fame and fortune, Aubrey accepts several secret missions, but all is not as it seems.

Will a double agent be the undoing of both Jack Aubrey and his friend, ship’s surgeon Stephen Maturin?

‘This is O’Brian at his brilliant entertaining best. When he is on this form the rest of us who write of the Napoleonic conflict might as well give up and try a new career.’
BERNARD CORNWELL

‘Captain Aubrey and his surgeon, Stephen Maturin, compose one of those complex and fascinating pairs of characters which have inspired thrilling stories of all kinds since the Iliad.’
IRIS MURDOCH & JOHN BAYLEY