A Private Revenge (Mariner's Library Fiction Classics) [Paperback]

Richard Woodman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 25, 1999 | Series: Mariners Library Fiction Classic (Book 9)

In the aftermath of a typhoon, Captain Nathaniel Drinkwater brings His Britannic Majesty's frigate Patrician into the shelter of the Pearl River on the China coast. Seeking the means to refit, Captain Drinkwater finds himself caught up in the bizarre events following the British occupation of Macao and Admiral Drury' attack on Canton. Drinkwater is relieved to be assigned to escorting a convoy to Penang. The convoy's cargo includes a mysterious quantity of silver and a single passenger. Spite, treachery, greed, perversity, and cruelty lead to a climactic encounter in the remote tropical rain forest of Borneo.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The ninth adventure of Capt. Nathaniel Drinkwater--but only the second ( In Distant Waters ) published here--places the middle-aged, phlegmatic skipper of H.M. frigate Patrician in the South China Sea in 1808 under secret Admiralty orders to thwart the new Franco-Russian alliance. Guiding ships of the East India Company (practically a power in itself) from Canton to Penang, he must be wary of pirates, the Hong in Canton, the emperor in Peking and a shipload of Russian prisoners. Drinkwater is duped into giving passage to his archenemy Morris, along with the man's fortune in silver and his catamite. The crafty Morris, his Navy career cut short by scandal, plots a private revenge that will ruin Drinkwater and may even let Morris have his heinous way with the Captain. The climax is a bang-up battle between Borneo's fierce Dyaks (of poison dart fame) and Patrician 's beleaguered crew. Drinkwater is a true-blue, if stolid, hero, but shipboard life, including its below-decks stink, is vividly drawn.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

In this latest Nathaniel Drinkwater novel the intrepid captain commands his majesty's frigate Patrician on the China station after a cruise halfway around the world. As convoy commander for merchantmen sailing to Penang, Drinkwater deals with pirates, French and Dutch men-of-war, and an unexpected and threatening passenger from his past. Rich in detail, historically accurate, and displaying a masterly knowledge of the technical aspects of ships under sail, Woodman's novel is comparable to sea fiction by masters such as C.S. Forester and Alexander Kent in its evocation of the past age of wooden ships and iron men. Highly recommended for public libraries.
- Harold N. Boyer, Marple P.L., Broomall, Pa.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 249 pages
• Publisher: Sheridan House; 2nd THUS edition (July 25, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157409078X
• ISBN-13: 978-1574090789
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #326,584 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Darkest Entry to Date in Gothic Naval Series, August 27, 2001

By 

Bill Mac "hmcs_kenogami" (windsor, ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Private Revenge (Mariner's Library Fiction Classics) (Paperback)

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 Woodmans 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. Its 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 Woodmans excellent standards but A Private Revenge is a very grim novel. Its only for the hardiest series enthusiasts.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Woodman excells at historical fiction, January 9, 2007

By 

John A. Van Devender "Gadfly" (Millersville, MD United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Private Revenge (Mariner's Library Fiction Classics) (Paperback)

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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Action in the China Sea, November 21, 2002

By 

A. J. Watson "Bones" (Newcastle-on-Tyne, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Private Revenge (Mariner's Library Fiction Classics) (Paperback)

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.