newishpuritan's review against another edition
4.0
As others have pointed out, the best scene is Stephen's visit to a wildlife sanctuary. Superlative nature writing.
alexsiddall's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyed even more on rereading - first read in 2009.
louiseoli's review
unhinged gay subplot handled with surprising tact for a naval novel written in 1989 and set in 1812. 10/10 love stephen and his orangutans
mbondlamberty's review against another edition
5.0
This has a little bit of something for everyone. Sea drama, political intrigue, new geographies, more science, etc. Again gives one an appreciation for the reach of the British navy (foreshadowing things to come) but also how limited the Europeans were against Asian and other rulers in this time and how much they relied on them against other Europeans.
doodlebuginarug's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
siria's review against another edition
4.0
There was slighly less historical detail or sense of place in this installment; Pulo Prabang never really came alive for me as a unique, distinct country. The exception to this was, of course, Stephen's trek to the temple deep in the jungle, and the time he spent with the orang-utans up there: definitely one of the most memorable and evocative moments in the series so far.
Apart from that minor quibble, though, this was as superb as I've come to expect from O'Brian, full of humour and intelligence. The characters were as brilliantly drawn as ever; both throughout the book as a whole, and in those small scenes like Stephen helping van Buren to dissect the bodies of Ledward and Wray (that especially I found utterly chilling. oh Stephen). The minor characters were as neatly drawn as always: though I confess I found myself a little uncertain about Fox, who seemed very unbalanced.
The ending was one of the most dramatic in the series, and not the fate I expected for the Diane so soon after her introduction. I have the feeling that despite my best intentions to make the series last, I will be dragging out The Nutmeg of Consolation as soon as I get home this evening to see how it resolves: especially given the fact that I desperately want to know whether or not Stephen is right as to the sex of the baby. *g*
Apart from that minor quibble, though, this was as superb as I've come to expect from O'Brian, full of humour and intelligence. The characters were as brilliantly drawn as ever; both throughout the book as a whole, and in those small scenes like Stephen helping van Buren to dissect the bodies of Ledward and Wray (that especially I found utterly chilling. oh Stephen). The minor characters were as neatly drawn as always: though I confess I found myself a little uncertain about Fox, who seemed very unbalanced.
The ending was one of the most dramatic in the series, and not the fate I expected for the Diane so soon after her introduction. I have the feeling that despite my best intentions to make the series last, I will be dragging out The Nutmeg of Consolation as soon as I get home this evening to see how it resolves: especially given the fact that I desperately want to know whether or not Stephen is right as to the sex of the baby. *g*
cauldhamer's review
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
chloelambdon's review against another edition
3.0
This one was a struggle but it still beats where the crawdads sing
justfoxie's review against another edition
4.0
The section on Stephen's visit to Kumai is one of my favourite chapters in the entire series.