Many readers have noted that O'Brian's series declines in quality generally at some point in the second ten books. I agree with that, but The Hundred Days is the first volume where I actually almost wished he'd ended the series earlier. The reason for this is mostly in the opening chapter. The clunky exposition in this first chapter is not especially worse than the lame exposition sections in some (not all) of the other books in the series. But I felt shocked and insulted at the way O'Brian uses this gimmicky introduction to off-handedly mention the death of one of the most important characters in the series. I seriously wondered if I had the books out of order and had missed a volume between the previous one and The Hundred Days. I continued on through the book, expecting some sort of dealing with this death by one or more of the other characters who should've been quite affected. But this grieving is mostly absent, other than some vague references here and there. I just don't understand this at all, and I felt cheated.The end of the novel features another unexpected death, also of a beloved character (though not as significant as the death just before the story's opening). And again, characters who ought to have been very affected by this death seem to feel very little.It's a shame that this strange lack of emotion mars a story that otherwise I found interesting enough. The political intrigue is nicely done in this one, if similar to other missions Stephen and Jack have already accomplished. The story could have been at least on par with the books in the second half of the series, if only O'Brian had allowed some real emotion, given some urgency and necessity to this book as a whole. But without that urgency, the book feels cold and unnecessary.The gimmick of having Stephen ask questions in order to teach the reader something continues to wear thin. At some moments, he actually seems to have learned something about life at sea, but then he'll ask some question that surely he must have asked before. After all these years sailing with Jack, can Stephen really not yet have figured out the payment of prize money?? Come on.So now on to the final finished book of the series, with hopes for something more substantial than The Hundred Days. My reviews of the Aubrey/Maturin series: Master and Commander Post Captain H.M.S. Surprise The Mauritius Command Desolation Island The Fortune of War The Surgeon's Mate The Ionian Mission Treason's Harbour The Far Side of the World The Reverse of the Medal The Letter of Marque The Thirteen-Gun Salute The Nutmeg of Consolation Clarissa Oakes The Wine-Dark Sea The Commodore The Yellow Admiral The Hundred Days Blue at the Mizzen 21
If for no other reason, I have to rate this book a 4 out of 5 simply because I love Patrick O'Brian's use of language in his dialogue between characters to transport the reader to a past age. The series as a whole is a loose retelling of Lord Cochrane's (a true naval hero of that epoch) life but O'Brian is able to develop fictional relationships that have become famous in literature. Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin are as famous as the author himself and every book in the series relates their adventures, often at large stretches independent of each other. In the early books of the series (of which I believe there are 20 or 21 and of which I have read 19) Jack Aubrey is often found poor and wanting although invariably in good spirits and it is his friend Mr. Maturin that often comes to his assistance publicly and behind the scenes. By the later books in the series, Jack's luck is much better and the author usually has things working more in favor than against Jack. "The Hundred Days" is a typical Aubrey/Maturin story in which they work to confound Napoleon's plans upon the sea while chasing down "prizes", Maturin as the ship's surgeon/intelligence agent and Aubrey as the captain of a ship in the Royal Navy. I believe what has endeared this series to so many is O'Brian's amazingly descriptive passages of life aboard a naval ship of this time period as well as his descriptions of all other aspects of live at this time. The series can be recognized as historical fiction as many events recorded in the books are taken from actual events although he does play with the timelines to better suit his storylines. His stories are very slow in comparison to modern writing but for those with patience they are more than worth it. Anyone even remotely interested should try this series as it has stood the test of time. I would suggest reading the books in order as they will make more sense that way.
What do You think about The Hundred Days (1999)?
Patrick O'Brian, you Son of a BHow can you just kill off one of the most beloved characters in this series, and brush it aside like nothing happened? I get that sudden death is a fact in the British Navy of the Napoleonic wars, but that was ludicrous. I can't believe that, and I'm trying not to spoil the "who" involved, Jack and Steven would have just moved on like he was a landsman. Ok, I'm done venting. Maybe not...Here's the problem. This story isn't the most succinct of the series. it's sort of meanders through the book. So, when a critical moment happens, like this unforeseen death, I found myself really in a daze, and not focused on the rest of the story.It's the same thing I've complemented the author on in the past. But of all the 2nd tier characters in this series, a little more love should have been given here.
—Craig a.k.a Meatstack
I didn't enjoy this book as much as I did the previous one.The author tended to ramble on about inconsequential things and when something did happen, it felt like the events were few and far between. As others mentioned, there was a death and we were not privy to any consequences from this nor any reactions. That was disappointing.Still, I enjoy the characters of Jack and Stephen as they always surprise me with their actions. I think these two are probably the most human characters I've read in a book and I appreciate how the author took the time to add their traits slowly throughout the series.To this end, I'll certainly miss Jack and Stephen once I've finished reading all the books in the series. That will be a sad day.
—Susan
Why weren't O'Brian's editors supporting him here? Do editors just let successful prolific authors run amok? The publisher could have substantially strengthened this book without much more than an ordinary reader's knowledge of the series. He was in his late 80s and cranking these out - the least they could have done was double-check the consistency.MAJOR spoiler:(view spoiler)[Yay, Diana is killed off [conveniently taking several other annoying people with her - life will be so calm and pleasant at Ashgrove!], and not soon enough for me. I liked the conceit of having the event reported to the reader by strangers, though Stephen's grieving process, which has potential for so much novelistic wealth, lies shamefully unmined thereafter. (hide spoiler)]
—Rachel
