The fifth book in the Aubrey-Maturin series relies on familiarity with the characters and the milieu. I fully enjoyed it, but only because O'Brian hooked me with his inimitable style in the first four books. Desolation Island gives Stephen Maturin more of the plot than Jack Aubrey, and moves through its story at a leisurely pace: the only sea battle comes after page 200 and the titular island gets its first mention on page 297. Alas, the deliberate pace of the earlier chapters means that the exciting parts get short-changed a bit in the closing pages. In particular, I thought the scene of the Leopard crew fighting to save its sinking ship or abandon it was rushed.
No matter, though. I'll read The Fortune of War presently.
No matter, though. I'll read The Fortune of War presently.
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