The Road to Samarcand

This book by Patrick O'Brian has been released with a cover that matches the Aubrey ones with a sailing ship on the front. Earlier prints had land based pictures on them. I think the early chapters may be sea based and involve surviving a typhoon but from what I've read I think it is mainly a land based treasure hunt. I think the cover may be a ploy to entice Aubrey fans to buy this one.

I'm not going to include this one for the time being. Anyone read it or got a view?

It seems right, not to include it, and shame on the publishers for "cashing in" - they should never have published the last unfinished and certainly unpolished, Aubrey tale.

Borrelpeff wrote:It seems right, not to include it, and shame on the publishers for "cashing in" - they should never have published the last unfinished and certainly unpolished, Aubrey tale.

I have to agree with that verdict on '21'. O'Brian worked (like most authors) by a process of writing and then revision, often several revisions. Clearly, what was published is a first draft, and half-finished at that.

I haven't read any of POBs work outside of the Aubrey/Maturin cycle, but fully intend to check out this one and the others.

Hello, Aeneas7c

You may find Dean King's biography of POB of interest. Although unauthorised (it tells, at times, a rather sad story), I feel it to be accurate and King, well known for other nautical writing, certainly did a good deal of research into his subject.

Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Patrick-OBrian-Revealed-Dean-King/dp/0805059768/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243408489&sr=8-1&tag=astrodene-20

Amazon.co.uk
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Patrick-OBrian-Revealed-Dean-King/dp/0340792566/ref=sr_1_62?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243408342&sr=1-62-1&tag=astrodene-21

The Road to Samarcand is a fine novel and I would happily let a child read it. The main character is a child. It is not, however, HNF. At one point the heroes make an escape in a helicopter!

Off to introduce myself. Regards, Mick.