Synopsis
Physical description: 265p. ; 23 cm. Subjects: Shipwrecks — Chile — History — 18th century — Fiction.
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Review
The Unknown Shore, a sort-of sequel to The Golden Ocean, is a fascinating blue-print for the Aubrey-Maturin series. We follow Jack Byron and Tobias Barrow, two unlikely neighbors and fast friends in whom we catch glimpses of the heroes of the epic series to come. They set off to sea in 1740 as part of Commodore Anson's fleet to circumnavigate the globe. Byron, a romantic, forceful lad, signs on as a midshipman; Barrow, a strangely educated, scientifically brilliant boy, is running away from his father and wins a commission as a surgeon's mate. Set up in the Wager, which is parted from Anson's squadron and sinks somewhere along the desolate coast of Chile, Byron and Barrow are left to struggle for survival by wits alone, facing mutiny, famine, indifferent natives and lingering infighting. A fully realized hint of the fictional magic to come.
From the Back Cover
Patrick O'Brian's first novel about the sea, The Golden Ocean, took inspiration from Commodore Anson's fateful circumnavigation of the globe in 1740. In The Unknown Shore, O'Brian returns to this rich source and mines it brilliantly for another, quite different tale of exploration and adventure. The Wager was parted from Anson's squadron in the fierce storms off Cape Horn and struggled alone up the coast of Chile until it was driven against the rocks and sank. The survivors were soon involved in trouble of every kind. A surplus of rum, a disappearing stock of food, and a hard, detested captain soon drove them into drunkenness, mutiny, and bloodshed. After many months of privation, a handful of men made their way northward under the guidance of a band of Indians, at last finding safety in Valparaiso. This saga of survival is the background to the adventures of two young men aboard the Wager: midshipman Jack Byron and his friend Tobias Barrow, an alarmingly naive surgeon's mate. An immediate precursor to Patrick O'Brian's acclaimed Aubrey/Maturin series of historical novels, The Unknown Shore displays all the splendid prose and attention to detail that O'Brian's readers have come to expect. Yet perhaps this novel's most fascinating aspect is the characterization of Jack and Toby, for in them we catch tantalizing glimpses of Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin, famed heroes of the great series to come.
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The Unknown Shore
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Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. The Unknown Shore This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 7719-9780002254090
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The Unknown Shore
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ISBN 10: 0002254093
ISBN 13: 9780002254090
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Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780002254090
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The Unknown Shore
Published by
HarperCollins Publishers Limited, 1996
ISBN 10: 0002254093
ISBN 13: 9780002254090
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Seller: Barclay Books, York, WA, Australia
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Hardback. Inspired by the Wager disaster, The Unknown Shore is an immediate precursor to Patrick O'Brian's acclaimed Aubrey/Maturin series that displays all the splendid prose and attention to detail that delight O'Brian's millions of fans. Patrick O'Brian's first novel about the sea, The Golden Ocean, took inspiration from Commodore George Anson's fateful circumnavigation of the globe in 1740. In The Unknown Shore, O'Brian returns to this rich source and mines it brilliantly for another, quite different tale of exploration and adventure. The Wager was parted from Anson's squadron in the fierce storms off Cape Horn and struggled alone up the coast of Chile until she was driven against the rocks and sank. The survivors were soon involved in trouble of every kind. A surplus of rum, a disappearing stock of food, and a hard, detested captain soon drove them into drunkenness, mutiny, and bloodshed. After many months of privation, a handful of men made their way northward under the guidance of a band of Indians, at last finding safety in Valparaiso. This saga of survival is the background to the adventures of two young men aboard the Wager: midshipman Jack Byron and his friend Tobias Barrow, an alarmingly naive surgeon's mate. Patrick O'Brian's many devoted readers will take particular interest in this story, as Jack and Toby form a kind of blueprint for Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin, the famed heroes of the great Aubrey/Maturin series to come. 1996, Reprint. A near fine copy only marked by light tanning of the pages. The d/w is unclipped and fine. 3 Centimeters X 14.1 Centimeters X 22.2 Centimeters. Seller Inventory # 25888599
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The Unknown Shore
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1st Thus. Hardback. Good in good, edge worn and plastic protected, d/w. Spine cocked and bumped, pages yellowed, edge of pages marked. Please email for exact postage quote and information on any available discounts. Seller Inventory # 13965
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The Unknown Shore : First thus
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ISBN 10: 0002254093
ISBN 13: 9780002254090
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Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. True first British printing of this edition (full print run includes '1'). First thus. With original unclipped jacket (£16.99). Originally published by Rupert Hart-Davis in 1959, this is the first HarperCollins printing from 1996. Jacket has minor patchy edge/shelf wear, fading to spine, a few small marks, the odd small crease/rub to edges, a little pushing/rubbing to head/tail of spine and to corners, a few small scratches and minor creasing/rubbing to front/back inner flaps. Boards are near fine with a little pushing/bumping to a couple of corners and minor pushing/rubbing to head/tail of spine. Pages are generally clean and the binding is tight. Pages are a bit tanned (due to quality of paper used). Very occasional small mark to pages. Couple of scratches to edges of pages. No other faults. All books described honestly and accurately. Paypal accepted. Seller Inventory # 009915
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Cloth. Condition: Very Good ++. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good ++. PRICE NOT CLIPPED. Remainder mark. No inscriptions. Seller Inventory # 009739
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Hard Cover. Condition: F-. Dust Jacket Condition: F-. First Thus. F-/F-. 8vo. original burgundy boards gilt (a trifle toned & marked, a few leaf edge spots, internally clean) in dustwrapper priced £16.99 (a trifle rubbed); pp. 266. A near fine copy. Seller Inventory # 036115
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