Nicholas Monsarrat transitioned from law to a writing career, delving into social and political issues. His World War II naval experiences profoundly shaped his subsequent literary output, particularly his acclaimed sea stories that unflinchingly depicted the harsh realities of wartime service. Later, drawing on his diplomatic postings, he explored the complexities of British colonial Africa and human relationships within that context. Monsarrat's writing is distinguished by its realistic portrayal of challenging circumstances and its insightful examination of characters confronting extreme adversity.
Father Salvatore was a simple, lumbering priest, a kappillan serving the poor Valetta, when war came out of the blue skies to pound the island to dust. Now amid the catacombs discovered by a chance bomb, he cared for the flood of homeless, starving, frightened people who sought shelter from the death that fell unceasingly from the sky. His story, and the story of Malta, is told in superbly graphic pictures of six days during the siege. Each of those days brought forth from the kappillan a message of inspiration to keep them going - the legendary tales of six mighty events of Malta's history which shone through the centuries and gathered them together in a fervent belief in their survival.
This final masterpiece by Nicholas Monsarrat is an epic tale of seafaring from the sixteenth century to the twentieth. The story is narrated by Mathew Lawe, a young Devon sailor cursed to wander "the wild waters till all the seas run dry" after an act of cowardice. While rooted in historical fiction, it intertwines real events and figures from maritime history. Lawe embodies the spirit of exploration and resilience, connecting a rich tapestry of nautical adventures.
He encounters legendary figures such as Drake and the Armada, sails with Hudson in search of the North-West passage, and serves as a buccaneer under Sir Henry Morgan in the Caribbean. Lawe assists Samuel Pepys in his naval duties and stands alongside Captain Cook during the storming of Quebec, witnessing Cook's tragic death in the Pacific. He becomes part of Nelson's household, participating in key battles at the Nile, Naples, and Trafalgar. His journey also includes working on a slaver from Liverpool and being press-ganged aboard the Shannon before its duel with the American Chesapeake. Lawe explores the Arctic with Sir John Franklin and fights in both World Wars, including at Zebrugge and 'D' Day. His saga culminates with a harrowing encounter involving a burning tanker after the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway. This action-packed novel is both entertaining and instructive, widely acclaimed as a masterpiece.
