The Reverse of the Medal

O brian is a master storyteller and part of what makes this 21 volume series so addicting is the sheer mastery of the craft . When i first embarked on this literary voyage i was certain that as the volumes progressed the story would become repetitious and predictable. I felt this because how many stories can someone come up with that involves sea voyages and battles. Not only was my suspicion wrong, it is clearly part of his style to come up with totally different scenarios therefore encompassing every literary technique ever.
This number 11 installment is mainly on land but contains one of the longest chase sequences in all of the series so far. This is a great example of the playful structure O Brian utilizes like a painter applying meaning to a canvass. I love when the story goes on land for awhile, its necessary to make the already complex character development work even better. This volume falls into the experimental category –like h.m.s. surprise–and fortune of war. Experimental in that is stands alone apart from segwaying from another volume. While the whole series is essentially one long story some of the volumes explore the human condition deeper than just being at sea and battling other ships can do. This one gets dark in that Jack is being set up and appears to be in the process of military disgrace and possibly jail time. Like H.M.S. surprise Steven takes over the spotlight with Jack in jail. Sure its a little depressing but still has the constant comedic wit. I love how even when he is not at sea his rugged crew literally lives with him (or key member like Killick and Bonden. So back to O’Brien style–he knows its going to get heavy so thats why he makes literally 1/3 of the book a chase–or the first part of the book. Being that there is 21 and this is only the 11th im sure jack and company with get out of this bind.I cant wait to see.

_The Reverse of the Medal_ has quite a different pace than the previous books in the series. This is not to suggest that it is slow or belabored – far from it – but the rhythm of life at sea, punctuated with foul weather, chase and battle is curiously absent here. One gets the sense that the series is about to take another tack. The primary joy for me (aside from the vivid descriptions of life at sea) is the relationship between Aubrey and Maturin, and the flaws each man possess, making them much more real. Here, Aubrey is framed – a “put-up job” in 19th century parlance, with grave consequences.

It is perhaps bewildering that Aubrey, who is such a lion at sea is such a helpless babe ashore. This almost child-like trust (along with the political turmoil created by his father) is the root of the plot. Aubrey’s willingness to trust his fellow officers also plays into the turmoil as he reflects, “True, I have spent less time on shore than most men, and few have had such luck; but I was suprised to find how much jealousy it had caused. I had no idea I had so many enemies, or at least ill-wishers in the service.” It is painful, therefore to see a character (as flawed as he is) to be so humbled and publically humiliated.

O’Brian is never one to close a door without leaving another open, however. While _The Reverse of the Medal_ concludes with a rabbit-punch to the kidney, there is a glimmer of hope that things will be made right, and our hero will once again return to sea. This lifeline (as one would expect) is in the form of Dr. Maturin, whose secret life as an intelligence operative provides some context and (I hope) some opportunity for redemption. Perhaps most frustrating of all, the story concludes as a virtual cliff-hanger. I take comfort in knowing that I don’t have to wait years for the next installment to be written. Highly recommended reading.

I recall reading somewhere that O’Brian must have realized he started this series too late in historical context due to the popularity of the characters and the story. This book is apparently one of the stories intended to try to stretch out the series. Unlike book 10 this one is so packed with Aubrey’s personal weaknesses, his flaws, that we’ve come to respect. Too trusting by half. Too loyal. Too gullible outside of command at sea. O’Brian successfully inserted a short, by calendar, story into the overall Aubrey timeline that tells so much about Aubrey and Maturin both. We are also given a glimpse of a true stock exchange scandal that brings out the best and the worst of those around Aubrey. I appreciated O’Brian’s depiction of loyalty among naval sailors, Aubrey’s friends and his family. We get an intimate look into society in the era that succeeds in painting a picture we wouldn’t know without accounts like this. I highly recommend reading The Reverse of the Medal to anyone deciding whether or not they should. It is a great story. Go ahead, buy it. Read it and be entertained.

Every Patrick O’Brien novel – especially all of the Aubrey Maturin series – should be required reading for anyone who loves a great story with compelling characters, adventure, suspense and just the slightest touch of romance. Add to that that they are steeped in actual history – based on the logbooks of the RN captains who sailed in the era about which he writes – these are history lessons in the most entertaining form imaginable. Highest recommendation i could possibly give.

I enjoy books written by Patrick O’Bran !
Patrick is again done a great job on this sea story. I have started reading his next book and hated to stop to share my thoughts with other readers but I decided that was selfish so here it is ___buy this book!

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