Sir,’ said Stephen, ‘I read novels with the utmost pertinacity. I look upon them--I look upon good novels--as a very valuable part of literature, conveying more exact and finely-distinguished knowledge of the human heart and mind than almost any other,… — Patrick O'Brian Copy Share Image
“Christ's blood in heaven, you ignorant, incompetent whey-faced nestlecock, do you think I am a hired spy, an informer? That I have a master,… — Patrick O'Brian Copy Share Image
“To tell the truth, sir, I believe I had rather sit in the shelter for a while. The cabbage seems to have turned my… — Patrick O'Brian Copy Share Image
“Never mind the disappointment. Salt water will wash it away. You will be amazed how unimportant it will seem in a week’s time –… — Patrick O'Brian Copy Share Image
“The weather had freshened almost to coldness, for the wind was coming more easterly, from the chilly currents between Tristan and the Cape; the… — Patrick O'Brian Copy Share Image
“Of course I do know it is the French who are so wicked; but there are all these people who keep coming and going… — Patrick O'Brian Copy Share Image
My wife and I have spent most of our lives in France, and we are both pretty well bilingual, my wife more purely than… — Patrick O'Brian Copy Share Image
“This short watch that is about to come, or rather these two short watches--why are they called dog watches? Where, heu, heu, is the… — Patrick O'Brian Copy Share Image
The function of the novel is the exploration of the human condition. Really, that's what it's all about. — Patrick O'Brian Copy Share Image
It is a great while since I felt the grind of bone under my saw,' he added, smiling with anticipation. — Patrick O'Brian Copy Share Image
“But I will tell you another misery that is not to be denied. In the common, natural course of events physicians, surgeons and apothecaries… — Patrick O'Brian Copy Share Image
“Yet,'said Maturin, pursuing his own thought, 'there is a quality in dogs, I must confess, rarely to be seen elsewhere and that is affection:… — Patrick O'Brian Copy Share Image
