A Private Revenge (Nathaniel Drinkwater Series)

by Richard Woodman

Book Overview

In the aftermath of a typhoon, Captain Nathaniel Drinkwater brings his Britannic Majesty's frigate Patrician into the shelter of the Pearl River upon the China Coast. He is entangled in bizarre events... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0751507245
• ISBN13: 9780751507249
• Release Date: January 1990
• Publisher: Time Warner Paperbacks
• Length: 246 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Revenge Is Never Sweet

As others have noted, this book continues the saga of Captain Nathaniel Drinkwater as he sails in far distant places, but not far enough to escape an attempt at revenge by his old foe, Morris. This is not an easy book for fans of this series as serious matters are afoot and danger is seriously present as Drinkwater escorts a gaggle of Indiamen to a safe harbor while providing passage as well, to an old foe. The less said about the plot the better for the reader as Richard Woodman continues to show his knowledge and understanding of the days when sailing ships spanned the globe. He is one of the absolute best.

Woodman excells at historical fiction

Having read and loved all of O'Brian's novels and, of course, the Horatio Hornblower series, I think Woodman's integration of creative plot lines and historical events is the best of the genre. As another reviewer stated, Woodman does not paint his characters with the romantic optimism we find in O'Brian's Jack Aubrey and he is much more prone to the gritty details which are only mentioned in passing, if at all, in other authors. If I have any criticism, it is that there is too much unrelieved tension in his novels. One longs to see Nat having a "good" cruise for a change. As an retired Naval officer and one-time off shore sailing coach, I know how hard and psychologically debilitating a stressful cruise is. Nat needs some relief. I have not read all this series yet, so perhaps 2 or 3 books down the line it will happen, but so far the remark holds true. It is in adding dimensions to the historical events that Woodman is truly excellent. I have gained a much greater appreciation for the little "side wars" that accompany every major conflict from his writing. This novel represents a bit of a shift in the books so far. It is "dark" as another reviewer stated and the tragedy in it does leave the reader saddened. But more than anything else it paints Nat as becoming dangerously introspective, something that continues into the next book in the series - Under False Colors. Nat is sensitive but he is also portrayed as being over 40 years old at this point. There seems to be an incongruity in his brooding. It would fit better on a young man who is just encountering the wickedness that is in the world and the personal anguish that sometimes attends tragedy. That said - if you are hooked on Woodman's series, as I am, read this one before you go on to the next. It's well worth it.

Action in the China Sea

After battling a typhoon and rescuing an East Indiaman, Nat arrives in China, where Britain is no longer welcome and she has to decamp, covering her losses as best she can, so Nat is put in charge of the defence of the convoy.The vile, venal Morris (see Eye of the Fleet & Brig of War) rears his ugly head again, but with no apparent agenda in mind, other than the recovery of several thousands of specie. But his presence on board, along with his catamite, greatly disturbs Nat, as well as Mr.Q and Tregembo, wondering when and how he will wreak the revenge he has sworn on Nat.Sabotage, treachery, kidnap and torture follow as the depths of Morris's depravity become horrifically clear, revealing more would be a spoiler.As usual, excellent descriptions and tension-building make the pages fly by - and there are the author's notes to add plausability to the tale.

Darkest Entry to Date in Gothic Naval Series

A Private Revenge continues the series as a direct extension from its predecessor In Distant Waters. Drinkwater proceeds from the conclusion of In Distant Waters by crossing the Pacific and contacting Sir Edward Pellew off the Asian coast. Drinkwater also comes into contact with his nemesis of several novels beginning with The Eye of the Fleet, Morris, who is one of the vilest creatures in the genre. Drinkwater, who is a decent man, fails to understand the lasting grudge that Morris holds for events nearly 30 years previous. His lack of understanding leads to deception and tragedy. For followers of the series who have become attached to the characters, this episode will be painful. A Private Revenge contains action, suspense and Woodman?s excellent descriptions of time, place and naval details. However, it is perhaps the darkest novel that I have read of the Napoleonic naval genre. The series has always had strong gothic elements but this entry is the darkest. It?s hard to believe but Morris is even viler than in earlier novels. Morris? desire for revenge drives the plot and leads to a bloody climax. The writing is up to Woodman?s excellent standards but A Private Revenge is a very grim novel. It?s only for the hardiest series enthusiasts.