H.M.S. SURPRISE, BY PATRICK O’BRIAN

Yes, back to Aubrey-Maturin. I’m starting to understand the technical bits with yards and studdingsails and mizzentops. I know a definition for the word “pooped” that has nothing to do feces or fatigue. This, I think, is quite sad. But an excellent installment, several source scenes for the movie, including Stephen operating on himself, and Jack’s initials at the foretop. Best quote ever: “Jack, you have debauched my sloth.” Funny words: superfetation (= accretion), vatinication (foresee, prophecy), roborative (doesn’t seem to be in the dictionary, but probably a variant of roborant, which means having a strengthening effect, and not robotic screed).