By the Mast Divided

John Pearce, Book 1

De: David Donachie

Narrado por: Peter Wickham

London: 1793. Young firebrand John Pearce, on the run from the authorities, is illegally press-ganged from the Pelican tavern into brutal life aboard HMS Brilliant, a frigate on her way to war. In the first few days, Pearce discovers the Navy is a world in which he can prosper. And he is not alone; he is drawn to a group of men who eventually form an exclusive gun crew, the Pelicans, with Pearce their elected leader. During an action-packed two weeks, as HMS Brilliant chases a French privateer across the English Channel, these disparate men form friendships that will last a lifetime.©2004 David Donachie (P)2007 Soundings

some nautical inaccuracy

really well written characters but I two masted bark ain't a thing nor do you commonly release lines aw removing the belaying pin etc etc

Historical Novel 1793 Royal Navy

Donachie is a new author for me and this is book one in his series about the Royal Navy in 1793. The protagonist is John Pearce, who is press ganged into the Navy. He is placed on HMS Brilliant, a frigate on its way to war against the French. John forms friendships with a group of fellow press-ganged landlubbers. They form a gang called “The Pelican’s” with the aim to look out after each other. They are pressed enlisted men so are the lowest of the low aboard the ship. John shines as he uses his natural skills to help in whatever situation they are in and is a natural leader.

As the first book in a series I expected there would be more time spent on character building and back story. Donachie cleverly weaves these fictional characters into a true historical situation. There is action, the book bogs down at times but most often it is well paced. The book ends in a cliffhanger and sets up for book two. The story shows the harder side of the life of a gang press man at sea. The story is compelling and kept my attention. Peter Wickham does a good job narrating the story.

Entertaining

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, if they enjoy historical fiction

What was one of the most memorable moments of By the Mast Divided?

The descriptions of the sailing technology of the time period.

Have you listened to any of Peter Wickham’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The same as the book title

Any additional comments?

I have listened to this authors work under his other pen name Jack Ludlow. This is the first I have purchased under his real name. I cannot wait until the release of the next Ludlow book , the sequel to "Son of Blood". A fantastic series about the Normans in Italy.

Outstanding

Well written, Extremely entertaining! Will continue listening to the remaining books in the series and looking forward to it!

Series Devolves into Repetitive Pageant

My decision is to abandon ship at Book 10 in the series. The opening novels have some merit, introducing several of the injustices and hypocrisies promulgated by the British Navy during the Age of Sail. However, the story runs out of material about halfway through the series and begins to rely on ever-expanding, but quite impossible, historical fiction scenarios to carry the main character (and his minions) through to the next novel. The main character, John Pearce, rather than developing a sense of purpose (and self) as he navigates the troubled waters of his impressment and sudden rise to fame, becomes increasingly indecisive, petulant, and selfish. Midway through the series his heroics are notable, but without the experiential precursors to make them believable. And, therein lies the problem with this entire saga. The author attributes (through John Pearce's loyal shipmates) most of his great deeds to luck and serendipity. Occasionally he is clever. Once, or even twice, naval-battle fortune might be acceptable as a literary device (after all, who hasn't listened to tales of lucky sea captains), but every novel contains some happenstance that allows John Pearce to sail away (or run away) again (if not victorious, alive long enough for another installment).

I liked the first few novels. Nevertheless, I am not recommending that my fellow listeners start this series intending to enjoy a long yarn about a great sea going character. John Pearce is quite droll and obnoxious towards the end of this series. Not to mention that he sails around with his be-sainted (to his shipmates) mistress...feh! This series occasionally repeats (verbatim) while dragging on and on and on...as do its tired characters and storyline.

I give these novels (as a series) two cannonades down for their repetitive fire, lucky shots, and angry emotional salvos.

In closing...if you like the word "concomitant," you'll love these novels. The author uses it so many times, I began counting. That's always a bad sign when you are trying to be open-minded about a series.