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The Surgeon's Mate

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description The Surgeon's Mate Overview

The Surgeon's Mate is a 1980 historical naval novel by Patrick O'Brian and the seventh installment in the Aubrey-Maturin series. The narrative follows protagonists Captain Jack Aubrey and ship's surgeon Stephen Maturin as they navigate the complexities of the War of 1812, survive a shipwreck, and attempt an escape from American captivity in Boston. It blends detailed period nautical terminology with themes of espionage and early 19th-century medicine. The novel is intended for readers who appreciate meticulously researched Age of Sail fiction.

help The Surgeon's Mate FAQ

Do I need to read 'The Fortune of War' before 'The Surgeon's Mate'?

Yes, 'The Surgeon's Mate' is the direct sequel to C. S. Forester's 'The Fortune of War.' Published in 1980, the novel picks up immediately after Horatio Hornblower's escape from American captivity during the War of 1812.

Why is C. S. Forester's novel titled 'The Surgeon's Mate'?

The title refers to Hornblower's closest friend and ship's surgeon, William Bush, who is badly wounded in the opening chapters of the book. It also alludes to a period euphemism for a mistress, as the plot heavily involves Hornblower's complicated romantic relationship with a French woman named Marie de Grassac.

Where does the action take place in 'The Surgeon's Mate'?

After escaping America, Hornblower and Bush are pursued across the Atlantic Ocean, eventually making their way into the Baltic Sea. The majority of the novel's climax takes place in France and England, where Hornblower faces imprisonment for violating a local passport law.

When was 'The Surgeon's Mate' published?

The naval adventure novel was officially published in 1980 by C. S. Forester. It was one of the later books released in the overarching Horatio Hornblower saga, which spans a total of eleven novels.

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