Social Cut And Thrust Rather Than The Sabre's Edge
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I must confess that this probably the first story in the series that underwhelmed me. The cover of the book - a fine painting depicting a dragoon about to cut with his sabre - bears no relation at all to the story within. This novel develops Matthew Hervey's character in the peacetime London of 1827 - the 6th Light Dragoons are merely involved in manouvres rather than action - and there is a feeling about the novel that it marks a pause before sending the series in new directions.
Hervey awaits news of an inquiry while dealing with family issues but the meat of the novel (for those of us who enjoy derring do) is Hervey's maritime friend, Sir Loughton Peto, removed from the beach to take up command of HMS Rupert en route to Greece. Even here the bulk of the novel deals with the lead up to the Battle of Navarino, rather than the action itself.
I have no intention of describing the plot, suffice to say that Allan Mallinson has written a fine book in which several secondary plotlines from previous stories have been developed and some potential new plotlines have been introduced. I suspect Hervey's personal life to become more complex in future books. As in real life, few things are finally resolved but simply become more complicated with age. Although there is little military action in this book it is well written and more than held my interest over the few hours it took to read - I think it is a sign of what a fine writer Mr Mallinson is that such a novel (of social cut and thrust rather than the military variety) was so enjoyable.
While I think that a new reader could simply pitch into most of the other novels at any point in the series (if they could not start with A Close Run Thing for some reason) I believe that A Man Of War would not be a good introduction to the pleasures of Matthew Hervey's life.
I look forward to Hervey's return to Africa in the next novel.
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Hervey charges on!
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I found this book an absolute delight. The settings display an almost effortless authenticity, and the characters and dialogue spring out in very believable ways. There are a number of social, military, and political plot lines interweaving throughout, picking up from earlier books in the series, and preparing us well for the next one. The character of Peto grows, and also that of Fairbrother. Hervey behaves in his personal life with his own brand of social bone-headedness (just like many ordinary folk today...). I find Mallinson a more entertaining writer than O'Brien (to whom he often seems to be compared), and I certainly don't miss the dense wodges of historical research passed off as Maturin or Aubrey explanations to each other. I spent enough time attached to the army years ago to know (a) that Mallinson's army characters are true to type, and (b) that the army could never be for me!
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A change of direction....
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As most Mallinson readers I have lived through the excellent early books and survived the mediocre books 6 & 7. Company of Spears was a return to coherance and encouraged; Man of War, however, is a completely new direction.
There are two stories that are intermingled, Peto in the Ionian campaign and Hervey back in the UK. I think Mallinson is struggling to find a sensible route for Hervey to go following the earlier South African campaigns and the introduction of the Peto story covers this gap well, providing the essential fighting action without too much invention.
I actually think the writing in Man of War has improved and I found the novel very readable. The characters are developed more then in previous books and although I have to admit to liking Hervey (and his sister) less then in earlier encounters, they are certainly becoming deeper.
The great difference between the O'Brians of the world, compared to the genres of Bernhard Cornwall et al, is this development of character and the description of life outside the normal fighting narrative. Mallinson is trying to bridge this gap and I think Man of War is not far away.
Don't expect a light, all action hero book. This is a historical novel with military action included. It is worth the investment of time and money.
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Disappointing
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I have avidly read all of the Matthew Hervey novels since their inception. However the only reason I read this from cover to cover was in the vain hope that the story would start.
Basically there are two story lines, one, with Hervey and a threatened inquiry which could ruin his reputation and that of the Light Dragoons, this never gets going and in the end is terminated with a one line statement the the politician who ordered the inquiry has been moved.
The only military action Hervey gets involved with is a manoeuvre near Windsor, hardly the stuff of previous novels.
The second story is with regard to Peto, here Mallinson shows some knowledge of the sea but will never be a Patrick O'Brian in his description of sea battles. Indeed the reader is forced to read the afternote for the real account of the Battle of Navarino.
The final chapters of the book are more Mills and Boon than the original Hervey novels.
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Hervey gets better!
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I notice 21 people viewed my comments on the previous book in this series could they have included the author and the publisher? I doubt it but two of my suggestions have been realised in this; a new (and better) picture of the Brigadier looking quite relaxed in fact and some lighter passages one or two of which made me laugh out loud. The ending is more adroit than that of the previous book too, satisfactory but plenty of threads to follow through to further tales.
We venture to sea with Captain Peto for some of the time and although he is cast somewhat in the Hornblower mould can hold his own. He is not taken from Hornblower he just happens to be the same breed of man. More of him I hope. And more of the lively young lady who joins the cast at this time. There will be comparisons with other naval episodes we wot of, don't bother, the Brig. has done very nicely thankyou. If I wanted to be picky the term "under weigh" had a more definite meaning in Peto's day when a moving ship was in fact "under way". (see Falconer New Dictionary of the Marine) Nowadays either seems to do.
I often met "parallax" in my trade in optics and engineering but can't work out how it applies to a telescope which is monocular, if it is a technical term that has passed me by I am keen to know. Not part of the review process I know but I hope someone can enlighten me.
Colonel Hervey remains somewhat of a pain still and you want to sort him out occasionally but we musn't judge the Colonel by present day standards and we might get called out if we push him too far I suggest we leave it to his friend Fairbrother. However when Matthew gets among the soldiery he, as always, comes into his own and the description of the regimental manoeuvres is excellent.
I think this book is the best so far, the characters take hold and the narrative keeps going. You have to keep an eye on the moves back and forth in time but no hardship. Difficult to say more without delving into the plot. Except to say that stirring as it is I think the jacket illustration is a trifle misleading!
Advice? Don't wait for the paperback get stuck in. And roll on the next one!
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