Patrick O’Brian, until his death in 2000, was one of our greatest contemporary novelists. He is the author of the acclaimed Aubrey–Maturin tales and the biographer of Joseph Banks and Picasso. He is the author of many other books including Testimonies, and his Collected Short Stories. In 1995 he was the first recipient of the Heywood Hill Prize for a lifetime’s contribution to literature. In the same year he was awarded the CBE. In 1997 he received an honorary doctorate of letters from Trinity College, Dublin. He lived for many years in South West France and he died in Dublin in January 2000.
‘If O’Brian’s novels have become a cult, this is because they are
truly addictive. . . They are, quite magnificently, adventure yarns
whose superb authenticity never distracts from the sheer thrill of
the action.’
Caroline Moore, Sunday Telegraph ‘The Aubrey–Maturin novels, by
Patrick O’Brian, are so addictive that after I finish one I have to
hide the next from myself for a little while in order to do
anything else but read.’
Louise Erdrich ‘In Aubrey and Maturin, Patrick O’Brian has created
two of the most enjoyable characters in twentieth-century fiction.
Their relationship sustains an absorbing and thrilling sequence of
naval stories, unrivalled in their complexity, full of impeccable
detail and psychological insight. O’Brian switches from the
intimate to the epic with equal assurance. One of the greatest
authors to sail with.’
Michael Palin ‘My hero is Patrick O’Brian. It’s basically
impossible to write that well.’
David Mamet ‘One of the most compelling and brilliant novelists of
his time . . . Beyond his superbly elegant writing, wit and
originality, Patrick O’Brian showed an understanding of the nature
of a floating world at the mercy of the wind and the sea which has
never been surpassed.’
Max Hastings, Evening Standard ‘I devoured Patrick O’Brian’s
twenty-volume masterpiece as if it had been so many tots of Jamaica
grog.’
Christopher Hitchens ‘Written with most engaging enthusiasm that
can’t fail to give pleasure to anybody who enjoys historical
adventure flavoured with more than a dash of realism.’
The Sunday Times ‘One of the most brilliantly sustained pieces of
historical fictional writing this century.’
James Teacher, Spectator ‘Patrick O’Brian brings depth to his
sea-stories with outstanding dialogue, characterisation, humour and
a golden thread of romance. You don’t have to love books about
naval battles to become entranced.’
Katie Fforde
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