The History Book Club discussion

Hello,

Welcome to the group discussion of the book HMS Surprise by Patrick O'Brian. This discussion is being led by Assisting Moderator - Christopher Tolley.

During the week of April 11– April 17 we are reading:

Week Three - April 11 - April 17 - Chapter 3 - p. 56-73


This thread will discuss the following:

Week Three - April 11 - April 17 - Chapter 3 - p. 56-73


Remember, these weekly non spoiler threads are just that - non spoiler. There are many other threads where "spoiler information" can be placed including the glossary and any of the other supplemental threads.

We will open up a thread for each week's reading. Please make sure to post in the particular thread dedicated to those specific chapters and page numbers to avoid spoilers. We will also open up supplemental threads as we have done for other spotlighted reads.

We look forward to your participation. Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other noted on line booksellers do have copies of the book and shipment can be expedited. The book can also be obtained easily at your local library, on iTunes for the ipad, Audible etc. There are also downloadable eBook versions available. However, be careful, if you do go for an audible version that some audible formats are abridged and not unabridged.

There is still time remaining to obtain the book and get started. There is no rush and we are thrilled to have you join us. It is never too late to get started and/or to post.

Welcome,

Bentley

by Patrick O'Brian

Attached is the link to the full TOC and Syllabus:

http://www.africa-eu.com/topic/show/5...

Here is a link to the Introduction Thread for this book:

http://www.africa-eu.com/topic/show/5...

And here is the link to the glossary which is a spoiler thread where anything can be discussed regarding the book including historical events, famous people, locations, naval history depicted in the novel and the like.

http://www.africa-eu.com/topic/show/5...

O'Brian does a great job with a plot device that would be hackneyed in lesser hands - the cop/soldier/sailor/starship captain who utilizes the military resources at his disposal not for his duty, but for a personal errand. Example: Lethal Weapon (2? 4? 7?) "I'm not a cop tonight, Rog. Tonight it's personal."

But Aubrey's rescuing Stephen does involve duty. Stephen is a highly placed intelligence officer, whose capture could have deadly consequences for the war against Bonaparte.

And how well O'Brian pitches the action! Maragall, the possibly suspect Catalan, pleading with Aubrey to release all the prisoners so Stephen's rescue will not mark him as an important agent. The rowing to Port Mahon in darkness, blundering through the dark town, the screams of the tortured, vengeance at swordpoint.

Here we can see one of O'Brian's bigger themes, the intricacies of the emotional relations among males. O'Brian's males are never mere barking stereotypical drill sargeants. O'Brian carefully details the infinite desperation of the Livelies that Aubrey refuses to allow to participate in the rescue. Witness the curmudgeonly bastard Killick gently urging Aubrey that he must eat before the action. And of course Aubrey's own livid, indignant revulsion at
Stephen's torture, even though those emotions never sway his good judgment.

What did you think of Chapter 3? Were there other points you think were noteworthy? Please feel free to comment on these points or anything else you found interesting in Chapter 3.

Chapter Three was exceptional; it was so avoidable that Maturin was captured; obviously because of the leak at the Admiralty.

One sees a steely side of Aubrey not really shown before. I am still trying to figure out how they tortured Maturin and by what means; and why his hands were in such bad shape.

I think that Aubrey respects gallant officers and felt tremendous remorse in terms of the actions that he was forced to make.

I loved this chapter. One of the best so far in the series.

Aubrey refuses to let the Livelies participate and mentions full well that he and others may end up at Verdun where during the Napoleonic Wars must have been where France imprisoned foreigners. Odd that this town and area was so brutalized during World War I at a later period in history. I had visited Verdun just a few years ago to see the World War I areas, museums, etc. and actually spent time in the town proper.