Outside of a Dog: O'Brian, Patrick: (11) The Reverse of the Medal (spoilers)

Jo Walton

Jo Walton wrote on January 18, 2007 at 7:54 AM:

I read them out of order, so I knew exactly what would happen, poor dear Jack, and he feels it so much -- but I happened to read the end on a bus, which turned out to be hideously embarassing when I couldn't stop crying, because though I knew Jack would be condemned and go on a letter of marque and so on, I had no idea about the cheering, and it pushed all my buttons.

Incidentally, the cheering really happened for Cochrane.

Kate

Kate wrote on January 18, 2007 at 10:29 AM:

Yes, a bus would be a really bad place to read that scene. (I was driving, which of course had its own risks.)

And that's wonderful about them really cheering for Cochrane, too.

Trent

Trent wrote on January 18, 2007 at 10:52 AM:

I started reading the series right after The Wine Dark Sea (book #16) was published, so I didn't come to it "unspoiled"; in fact, I looked at the title of "The Thirteen-gun Salute" (coincidentally, or not, the thirteenth book) and thought "wow, that's quick, Jack not only restored to the list, but given his flag, in just two books." Ahem. Yes, I was wrong (the thirteen gun salute doesn't refer to Jack).

You put your finger on one thing that this accomplishes structurally--it sets Jack and Stephen loose to do what they do best, go gallivanting around the world on a several-book arc as free agents in the dear Surprise.

And yes, the cheering at the ending is a lovely stroke.