Authors are known for blending facts with fantasies in such a way that their readers do not lose their perspective. Each and every author has his or her own style of writing which has kept their readers hooked and waiting – sometimes months and years on end. The marine domain is an area that not many authors have chartered, but the ones that have done it, have done so with great skill and aplomb.
Detailed below are five such examples of brilliant penmanship revolving around the domain of oceans and its immense vastness. These books have been greatly appreciated by people from all industries and are a must read for those working at the sea.
1. Moby Dick: Written by Herman Melville in the mid-1850s, Moby Dick is considered to be a classic book. The author has put the novel in first person from the point of view of Ishmael, whose character is shown to be that of a whaler.
The book combines the aspect of revenge, orthodoxy and the then-vintage profession of whaling for ambergris. It’s enthralling not because the plot is fast-paced and revolves not only around the human characters but also that of the book’s namesake – Moby Dick – the sperm whale, depicted to be an albino.
2. The Perfect Storm: Adapted into a movie in the early 21st century, The Perfect Storm is a book unlike any. Its main component can be regarded as the perfect combination of incorporating a real-life incident with the author’s re-creation of the resultant happenings.
Sebastian Junger’s thoughts flow clearly and at no point of time would the readers feel like keeping the book aside for some other activity. Andrea Gail is immortalised in the hearts and minds of readers across the world, thanks to Mr. Junger literary contribution.
3. Deadly Straits: R.E. McDermott justifies the name of the book with his fast-paced plot. As the name suggests the book deals with marine terrorism and piracy.
What adds to the book’s speciality is the fact that the author is able to put into written context, his imagination for the audience – especially for those who might not be that well-versed in the marine aspect. For those who love sequels, Deadly Straits sets up the right tone for a potential sequel, though it is unsure whether the author is planning to write one or not.
4. Shogun: Most novels find a background in the West and its geography. Penned by James Clavell in the mid-1970s, Shogun as a maritime novel is based in the 17th century Japan.
Japan, unlike its other Asian peers has been a super-power within its own boundaries. The novel talks about a real-life person who rose to popularity amidst really troubling waters from the view-point of a Westerner. This unique confluence of an imaginary Western character meeting and understanding the larger-than-life Oriental hero defines the book as one of the all-time marine classics.
5. Hornblower Series: A series of 10 books, the Hornblower narrates the life of a newly commissioned seaman during the harsh marine times of the Napoleonic War.
The name of the book is also the last name of the protagonist – Horatio Hornblower. As Horatio climbs up the vessel hierarchy, he meets and interacts with various kinds of people who add to his adventures. Through this singular series, C.S. Forrester has contributed his own uniqueness to the confluence of fact and fiction.
These are some of the best names in the field of maritime novels.
Do you know any other novel on sea worth mentioning?
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About KaranC
Sirs,
I would like to propose to add another novel to your list of maritime Novels.
B. Traven ‘The Dead Ship’ is in my oppinion another novel worth to mention.
The story keeps in my mind during my first reading sometimes as a youth. Nevertheless I went to sea to start my carreer in shipping business.