Rating: 
Summary: O'Brian becalmed
Review: THE HUNDRED DAYS is the 20th in O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin series. New readers are likely to be disappointed, as character development in earlier novels is essential to appreciating the main characters. Fans of the series are likely to be moderately disappointed. Very little new character development takes place, and oddly, there is little reference to earlier characters and events. The introduction of a new character, a female surgeon's assistant, presents much potential, which is not realized. The plot thesis also has much potential which never materializes. As always, O'Brian brilliantly describes the day-to-day life of sailors. THE HUNDRED DAYS is even richer in such details that the earlier novels in the series. Unfortunately, in THE HUNDRED DAYS the ancient "HMS Surprise" journeys nowhere, and our beloved characters are too old and set in their ways to be interesting.
Rating: 
Summary: A hypothesis
Review: I have great respect for Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series, and this contribution is no exception. As to the early death of Diana in 100 Days, I was struck by a coincidence with the recent death of another, real-life Diana in a similar manner, which raises the question of a tribute on the part of the author. Comments?
Rating: 
Summary: Classic O'Brian
Review: Like the reviewer who praised the author of the recently released historical fiction novel, "The Triumph and the Glory" as the heir apparent to Patrick O'Brian, I found Triumph very similar in flavor and wit to O'Brian's magnificent Aubrey/Maturin series. Read every one of his novels, they are lively, vastly entertaining journeys back in time to the days of sail. The Hundred Days is excellent, not perhaps as good as some of his earlier novels in the series, but still very worthwhile reading.
Rating:
Summary: Always enjoyable.
Review: The Hundred Days is yet another in a brilliant series of historical fiction novels by Patrick O'Brian. I always savor books with memorable characters, and of course Aubrey and Maturin are great creations. Of all the books I've read in the past year, only The Triumph and the Glory comes close to matching any of the O'Brian books for vivid characterization and stirring drama in a historical fiction format.
Rating: 
Summary: A disappointing, disjointed continuation of a superb series
Review: The Aubrey-Maturin books are absolutely wonderful, but the Hundred Days isn't. Maybe the author is getting old and lazy. This book has a number of plot developments that start up and then disappear; the timing of events seems implausible; the most important events (such as the death of Maturin's wife) happen outside the narrative and are simply reported as accomplished fact. The timing is difficult: At the end of Yellow Admiral, Aubrey, Maturin, and their families all seem to be in the Azores, where they learn Napoleon has escaped--the Hundred Days have begun. When the book Hundred Days begins, Diana Villiers has had time to go back to England and get herself killed, and a ship has reached Gibraltar to spread this news--surely by now we've used up at least 30 days? But there's still time for Aubrey to dash all over the Med and the Adriatic and to destroy all sorts of enemy ports and shipping--not that much of this occurs in the narrative (again, we read about it later as an accomplished fact. O'Brian's novels have always been better for personalities and relationships than for action, but he leaves out too much in this volume. Meanwhile, the personalities seem a little weak too. For instance, Maturin is reported to be quite distraught over Diana's death, but after a few pages of moping he seems to be over it. Sure, I'll read the next installment, if there is one, but I hope it's better than this one.
Rating:
Summary: The usual with minor reservations
Review: I have read all of the Aubrey-Maturin books, and as usual, O'Brian has re-created the period down to the smallest detail (I think this is the strongest aspect of theis series). This one was a little too short, and I lament the loss of the Diana Villiers character (she was wonderfully entertaining). I also wanted more historical information about Napoleon's last gasp (information that has appeared in other novels in this series), But it was excellent nevertheless. I look forward to the next one, probably an Aubrey - Maturin adventure in Chile. As always, a wonderful read.
Rating:
Summary: Do O'Brian readers have to have everything spelled out?
Review: Mr. O'Brian has been writing this series long enough to know that his readers have gained insights about his characters that he doesn't always have to spell out. I take it as a compliment that he has given us enough credit to see the depth of emotion that is behind his subtle commentary. I love the way Mr. O'Brian throws out comments that at first make little sense. You have to trust that, if you just read on a few more sentences, the meaning will become obvious. Mr. O'Brian will do his usual explaining in later books which I look forward to reading with the anticpation of a child with presents under the Christmas Tree.
Rating:
Summary: As with each predecesor, it leaves the reader eager for more
Review: To the reader who suspects a ghost writer, I can only say, get your grammar correct before you presume to criticise a great writer. "Must of--" indeed!
Rating:
Summary: Subtle, shocking, superb
Review: I cannot agree that this book is flat, lifeless, and lacking in the drama of the previous Aubrey-Maturin novels. In The Hundred Days, O'Brian creates and explores a different topography of the heart and spirit. The deaths of Diana and Barrett Bonden are shocking, because there's no preparation, but as some other reviewers have said, there's never adequate preparation in life for such losses. No amount of verbal handwringing can make it right, in life and in this novel, and O'Brian does not indulge in even the attempt to cater to the wish for it. How would any of us attempt to depict Maturin, that reserved, disciplined man so profoundly in love, fresh on the news of Diana's death? The term "unimaginable grief" could suggest that O'Brian quite properly does not describe what can't be delineated, except in the heart of each reader who confronts his or her own losses in reading about Maturin's. As for Bonden, his death no doubt reverberates through the lives of Aubrey, Sophie, Maturin, and all his recent and former shipmates--again, O'Brian demands that we do a little imaginative work once we've caught our breath, just as Aubrey and the others will have to catch theirs after the shock. It takes time to absorb a loss, time O'Brian has not created for his other characters with respect to the death of Bonden, at least in this novel. And that's a final point. Patrick O'Brian is an older man, and each novel is a gift, likely to him, certainly to his readers. Blithe suggestions regarding what he ought to do in the next novel, or in future novels in the series, take no account of the facts of his life. I'd love another dozen books in this series, which has given me some of the best company I've enjoyed in the past few years. But I'd be immensely grateful to have just one more. To Patrick O'Brian--amazed gratitude and deepest respect!
Rating:
Summary: Good Chapter in a Great Series
Review: If you are new to the Aubrey/Maturin series, DO read the books, but start at the beginning. Also, if you are going through the series, DON'T read all the reviews here - they give away too much key information that will spoil your reading. This book was very good for me, but a little jarring, and seemed to have been hastily edited, especially at the start. Reminds me of the Hornblower book where several longtime favorite characters were rather harshly dealt with. Like many others who have read the entire series, I was hoping for a little more "and they lived happily ever after" - I even harbour a secret desire for one more ball at Ashgrove Cottage ala the earlier one at Melbury Lodge, where all the old sea dogs gather around the Admiral and relive old stories and bring us up to date on what happened to them when they were not included in book plots. (Trust me - this actuals does happen among old warriors.) Of course, if you are in the midst of this series, you really don't need much encouragement to read this book - a true member of Captain Aubrey's crew can hardly resist. I you have finished the series, are feeling withdrawal symptoms, and wondering how long it will take Patrick O'Brian to write the next one, perhaps you will let me recommend you go ashore, transfer to Lord Wellington's Peninsular Army, and join the Sharp's Rifle series by Bernard Cornwell - he acknowledges O'Brian as an inspiration, and the Sharps books are very strong, although with more of an action orientation, and somewhat bloodier.
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