To many, Patrick O’Brian was the greatest British novelist of the twentieth century. The fifteen volumes of the series set in the Royal Navy of the early nineteenth century and featuring Captain Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin have been hailed as “the best historical novels ever written.” They have sold in their millions throughout the world.
Nikolai Tolstoy was O’Brian’s stepson and his acquaintanceship with him lasted forty-five years, during most of O’Brian’s marriage to Mary Tolstoy, Nikolai’s mother. Nikolai stayed with the couple regularly at their French home and was a frequent correspondent with the reclusive and secretive author, discovering the facets of his character and creativity that he showed to no one else.
Nikolai Tolstoy has unique access to letters, notebooks and photographs, which will appear in this book. This volume tells the story of O’Brian’s life up to his decision to move to Collioure in the South of France. His oppressed childhood, his precocious writing success, his first visit to Ireland, his sailing experiences as a young man, and the truth behind his first marriage, divorce and name change are all dealt with.
