"The Caine Mutiny" is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Herman Wouk. Written in 1950, it tells the story of a fictional mutiny that takes place aboard a decrepit U.S. Navy destroyer- minesweeper during World War II.
This is an outstanding novel in every respect. It tells its story through the eyes of Ensign Willie Keith, a newly minted naval reserve officer who reports aboard the "USS Caine" as his first assignment. The "Caine" is a broken down, World War I vintage "rust-bucket," with a slovenly crew and an outwardly hard-nosed captain, Lt. Commander William DeVriess. Keith and DeVriess take an immediate dislike to each other, and are constantly at odds.
Keith is glad when DeVriess is relieved as ship's captain by Lt. Commander Philip Queeg, who appears at first as an outwardly affable but by-the-book officer. Hopes initially rise that life aboard the "Caine" will get better, but it soon becomes evident that things are going to be much worse under Queeg's command. A series of incidents occur that show Queeg to be an incompetent commander; an overbearing tyrant who browbeats his officers and crew, blames everyone else but himself for his mistakes, displays cowardice under fire, obsesses about petty incidents aboard ship, and displays personality traits that reveal an unstable mind.
Three of the "Caine's" officers - Keith, Lt. Tom Keefer, and the ship's executive officer, Lt. Steve Maryk - all eventually become convinced that Queeg is so mentally unstable that he should be replaced as captain of the "Caine." Maryk and Keefer initially intend to request Queeg's relief from higher headquarters, but back out at the last minute.
Soon after that, the "Caine" finds itself as one of several ships riding out a typhoon in the Pacific. The ship is soon in mortal danger; Queeg issues a series of orders that will only make matters worse for the ship, possibly resulting in its loss with all hands. Maryk countermands Queeg's orders and relieves the captain. Keith and Keefer are present at the time and concur with Maryk's decisions.
I won't give away any more of the story. You'll have to read this outstanding novel to find out what happens to the "Caine" and its officers and crew.
I first read "The Caine Mutiny" when I was still in high school, some forty-plus years ago. I re-read it just a few short weeks ago, and enjoyed it just as much the second time I read it as I did the first. It's one of those good, old-fashioned novels that has a fascinating plot, extremely well-developed characters, and a style of prose that keeps readers engaged throughout its 500-plus pages. Above all, "The Caine Mutiny" book entertains. Highly recommended.
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About the author
A Classic WWII Novel
A fine military classic. It's a long book, but describes military life on a naval vessel in true form. What do you do when your captain is incapable of leading during a time of war. The crew of the Caine must make a fateful decision or risk being destroyed by their very own captain rather than the enemy or bad weather. They make a drastic step which borders the line of mutiny. Wouk describes how making a choice like this can ruin careers of the accusers as well as the accused, which is why some may be unwilling to take this necessary step. Written with WWII in the background, it's a good steady read about life and challenges in WWII. The author's descriptions of life on a ship are compelling, and you get the feel of being there. It's a classic that the movie follows well. It's a must read for WWII readers.
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- M ClarkReviewed in Germany on August 31, 2019
A profound look at the challenges of command
