The Darkening Sea (Mariner's Library Fiction Classics) [Paperback]

Richard Woodman (Author)

Book Description

Series: Mariners Library Fiction Classic | Publication Date: April 15, 2000

This modern seafaring epic follows the Martin family through nearly 70 years of British maritime history.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

As a professional sailor, Richard Woodman has sailed in a variety of ships serving from apprentice to captain. Besides the Nathaniel Drinkwater series, he has written nautical fiction about tea-clippers and cargo liners and is a member of the Society for Nautical Research. His latest book is "The History of the Ship." Woodman lives in England and is considered one of the strongest voices in nautical fiction today.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Sheridan House (April 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574090755
• ISBN-13: 978-1574090758
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,122,387 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dark and Complex, June 12, 2000

By 

K. Volkan (Venura County, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Darkening Sea (Mariner's Library Fiction Classics) (Paperback)

The Darkening Sea reads as if it were written in the 1920's or '30s. Woodman really makes the reader feel the transition between the Victorian and modern ages. The characters are very multidimensional and complex. The main character in particular is very well done - you understand and feel for him even if he is hard to like.

The book has a much more 'literary' feel than Woodman's Drinkwater series. It's more Hemmingway than Patrick O'Brian.

The nautical aspects as well as the historical/geographic settings are very well done.

A thoroughly enjoyable deep summer read. If you have been frustrated (as I have) by not being able to obtain some of the Drinkwater books (I have to read them in order of course!), the Darkening Sea will be a thoughtful diversion - a taste of Woodman's 'haute cusine' as it were.

Highly recommended!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Sea As Life; Life As The Sea, August 8, 2007

By 

John A. Van Devender "Gadfly" (Millersville, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Darkening Sea (Mariner's Library Fiction Classics) (Paperback)

Woodman is not a romantic writer. For him life is as the sea: unforgiving, treacherous, beautiful, deadly, and unconquerable. Woodman's novels are characterized by central figures who never rise to heroic status. They are average men, fallen men, flawed men who don't always have all the answers and sometimes act in questionable ways. His main characters are tough ships embarked on "Darkening Seas" but their journey is by no means assured. People die. People die without all the loose ends being tied up. Life is messy, relationships are messy, careers hinge on the petty attitudes of superiors who have an ax to grind.

For all that, Woodman is still probably one of the best historical writers around. If you want a taste of how an average Brit Naval officer experienced and understood a world at war then this book will transport you in time in a marvelous manner. If you are looking for a nice, cozy little story where the good guys win and nobody you like gets hurt - this ain't for you.

I have read all the Drinkwater novels and this is my first Woodman story outside that line. I find that the basic theme is the same and consistent with the above. Good book - well worth reading - just don't expect a bunch of warm and fuzzies.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as Woodman's Drinkwater series, March 22, 2004

By 

Ronald J. Bloch (Wallingford, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Darkening Sea (Mariner's Library Fiction Classics) (Paperback)

This book describes a British naval family for most of the 20th century. It starts off strongly with the Battle of Jutland and other naval action during World War I. It then continues the family saga into WWII and beyond. However, once peace descends the story looses it strength and putters out. A man's affair with his grandfather's mistress and a menage a trois add some strange flavors to the last few chapters. It would have been a better book if it had ended earlier.

All in all, not nearly as good a book as any of the others in Woodman's Drinkwater series which begins with _An Eye of the Fleet_, which I highly recommend.