The Master Mariner: Book 1: Running Proud

The Master Mariner #1

by Nicholas Monsarrat

(In this, Nicholas Monsarrat's masterpiece, Lawe represents the spirit of maritime exploration and fortitude; his life is the thread stringing together a long history of nautical adventure. Written in two volumes, the first of which appeared in 1978, the story encompasses the full extent of maritime development, beginning with Sir Francis Drake abandoning a game of bowls to fight the great crescent of the Spanish fleet, to the opening in 1960 of the St Lawrence Seaway, the farthest penetration of land ever made by ocean-going sailors)

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Nautical, Fantasy, Historical

512 pages, Paperback

First published September 14, 1978

About the author

Born on Rodney Street in Liverpool, Monsarrat was educated at Winchester and Trinity College, Cambridge. He intended to practise law. The law failed to inspire him, however, and he turned instead to writing, moving to London and supporting himself as a freelance writer for newspapers while writing four novels and a play in the space of five years (1934–1939). He later commented in his autobiography that the 1931 Invergordon Naval Mutiny influenced his interest in politics and social and economic issues after college.

Though a pacifist, Monsarrat served in World War II, first as a member of an ambulance brigade and then as a member of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR). His lifelong love of sailing made him a capable naval officer, and he served with distinction in a series of small warships assigned to escort convoys and protect them from enemy attack. Monsarrat ended the war as commander of a frigate, and drew on his wartime experience in his postwar sea stories. During his wartime service, Monsarrat claimed to have seen the ghost ship Flying Dutchman while sailing the Pacific, near the location where the young King George V had seen her in 1881.

Resigning his wartime commission in 1946, Monsarrat entered the diplomatic service. He was posted at first to Johannesburg, South Africa and then, in 1953, to Ottawa, Canada. He turned to writing full-time in 1959, settling first on Guernsey, in the Channel Islands, and later on the Mediterranean island of Gozo (Malta).

Monsarrat's first three novels, published in 1934–1937 and now out of print, were realistic treatments of modern social problems informed by his leftist politics. His fourth novel and first major work, This Is The Schoolroom, took a different approach. The story of a young, idealistic, aspiring writer coming to grips with the "real world" for the first time, it is at least partly autobiographical.

The Cruel Sea (1951), Monsarrat's first postwar novel, is widely regarded as his finest work, and is the only one of his novels that is still widely read. Based on his own wartime service, it followed the young naval officer Keith Lockhart through a series of postings in corvettes and frigates. It was one of the first novels to depict life aboard the vital, but unglamorous, "small ships" of World War II—ships for which the sea was as much a threat as the Germans. Monsarrat's short-story collections H.M.S. Marlborough Will Enter Harbour (1949), and The Ship That Died of Shame (1959) mined the same literary vein, and gained popularity by association with The Cruel Sea.

The similar Three Corvettes (1945 and 1953) comprising H.M. Corvette (set aboard a Flower class corvette in the North Atlantic), East Coast Corvette (as First Lieutenant of HMS Guillemot) and Corvette Command (as Commanding Officer of HMS Shearwater) is actually an anthology of three true-experience stories he published during the war years and shows appropriate care for what the Censor might say. Thus Guillemot appears under the pseudonym Dipper and Shearwater under the pseudonym Winger in the book. H.M. Frigate is similar but deals with his time in command of two frigates. His use of the name Dipper could allude to his formative years when summer holidays were spent with his family at Trearddur Bay. They were members of the famous sailing club based there, and he recounted much of this part of his life in a book My brother Denys. Denys Monserrat was killed in Egypt during the middle part of the war whilst his brother was serving with the Royal Navy. Another tale recounts his bringing his ship into Trearddur Bay during the war for old times' sake.

Monsarrat's more famous novels, notably The Tribe That Lost Its Head (1956) and its sequel Richer Than All His Tribe (1968), drew on his experience in the diplomatic service and make important reference to the colonial experience of Britain in Africa.

Reviews

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book as a young adult. My father loved all things nautical, and he read this and pronounced it "great". My whole family read it and loved it as well. As my sister said, "My favorite part was the Pirate, it was the best. But then it was the worst, too." I agreed.

Stupidly, I "loaned" it to a friend, who never returned it, even though I asked for it. It is out of print, and I couldn't really ever find a copy. My daughter, however, heard me, and found it, and gave it to me for Christmas.

Although reading it then had much more emotional impact than when I read it just a week ago. Perhaps I knew the plot, and wasn't shocked or stunned by the actions of the characters. I thought I would feel the same emotional intensity, but no. And an even bigger disappointment came when my sailor husband, who has scores of sailing books, kind of gave it a "meh". Ah well, it was a great book, and I am still happy to have it back.

[KOMET · Rating 5 out of 5]

Several years ago, I came across this novel by accident, thumbed through a few pages, and curiosity piqued, began to read it. The story is centered around Matthew Lawe, a young English seaman who, as part of the convoy of ships tasked with tackling the Spanish Armada, flees his battle station while under fire. Consequently, for forsaking his comrades, Matthew is punished to live unto perpetuity until the seas run dry. Thus, Matthew passes through the succeeding centuries as a seaman in a variety of capacities. For example, along the fishing banks of Newfoundland and as a part of the Royal Navy during the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. All in all, this is an exciting, action-packed drama.

[Seth Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this more. As much of an interesting look it gave at a number of historical periods and figures in naval history, it felt like Monsarrat had no interest in actually showing any character development for Matthew Lawe, who seemed to occupy the same bystander/fringe role in each of the periods. For someone who ends up close to 200 hundred years old (in the body of a 25-year-old) there are very few moments of reflection or introspection or even signs of wisdom or mastery. Those moments, when they come, are powerful (and sad), but otherwise, he lacks real personality and is just a lens through which Monsarrat observes figures like Morgan, Hudson, Nelson and Drake. Could have been far more interesting if the protagonist or anti-hero or whatever you want to call him showed any signs of actually suffering from his curse.

[Stephen Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

My second reading of this excellent yarn. The young seaman, Matthew Lawe, because of an act of cowardice at sea, is cursed to sail the seas for the rest of time. And so, from the Armada in the late 16th century to Nelson’s death at Trafalgar in 1805 he finds himself amidst some of the great naval events of the time, from the Northwest passage to Henry Morgan’s buccaneers in the Carribean.
Monsarrat’s tale preserves a great deal of real historical fact, weaving in the cursed life of Lawe with exceptional credibility.
My personal view is that Monsarrat’s pen produced some drivel as well as true classics such as The Cruel Sea. This book falls into the latter category and it seems odd that has not received the recognition I personally think it deserves.
This book, subtitled “Running Proud”, was intended to be the first of 2 volumes. Sadly, the second subtitled “Darken Ship” was never completed. Such as was written has been published but it’s not easy to find a copy. When I do manage to get hold of it I look forward to Matthew Lawe’s continued adventures.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book written by the author of The Cruel Sea. Matthew Lawe, the coxswain of vice-admiral Sir Francis Drake, is condemned to sail forever after an act of cowardice during the running battle with the Spanish Armada in 1588. He never ages, and his story is told over 230 years of sailing with pirates, explorers and admirals. He searches for the Northwest Passage with Hudson, sails with the pirate Henry Morgan, works at the Admiralty with Samuel Pepys, is sent as an indentured servant to the cod fishing fleet, sails with Captain Cook around the world, and eventually is with Nelson at Trafalger. The story is continued in a second volume and is worth a read.
Monsarrat is a skilled sailor and a naval veteran of WWII and tells a good story.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matthew Lawe is cursed due to cowardice to sail the oceans until they run dry. Monsarrat uses this conceit as a way to portray British naval history from 1588 to 1805. Each section is a new time period centered around a different aspect of naval history or a certain significant leader. Matthew is a fairly well developed character but sometimes becomes window dressing on the hero's tale. The battle scenes lack any strategic awareness or a depiction of the fighting details. But the book does give a good picture of various time periods in naval history through the eyes of Matthew. A good book, but not on par with the Hornblower or Bolitho novels.

[Doug Newdick · Rating 2 out of 5]

An odd one. Seaman Matthew Lawes is cursed to live forever after a moment of cowardice and then turns up in every major English nautical adventure afterwards. I'm a fan of historical fiction, and naval historical fiction so I thought this would be perfect. Unfortunately the book is hampered by a totally unsympathetic character, rather stilted writing and ham-fisted English nationalism.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional premise, works well. I return to this book for my history of the sea fix.

[Ballerina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story. It also a well written book and very, very enjoyable for anyone interested in historical fiction, just a shame that it will never be fully finished.

[Vivian Venn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, history in a relatable telling

[Brent · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Stephen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Surprisingly poor compared to The Cruel Sea. The vignette format does Monsarrat no favours, leaving no space to develop his characters or his environments properly. More bizarre, however, is that Matthew Lowe hardly evolves over the course of the book, a mere witness to his own life's story. What might have been a fun romp across naval history, tied together by a sympathetic protagonist, instead became a slog after a few episodes.

[John Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently acquired a copy of the unfinished volume 2, having read volume 1 a few years ago. Darken Ship, the first chapter, is the only one which is nearly complete and the rest are only really overviews. Taken as a single project the work is superb, moving and at times horrifying. Well worth a week or so of reading time.

[Ian Pruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read this book four times, over the years,I still find it new and revealing. Essentially a story about an ordinary man, with all the natural fears one might have in times of peril, who finds himself in the company of some of the greatest names in history. He sees himself as a coward compared to these others but in truth he does what he has to do in circumstances most would want to avoid.
I regard Nicholas Monsarrat as having written a brilliant story through Matthew Lawe's eyes and the 'curse' of everlasting life, is believable.

[Garry Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been a long time fan of Monserrat, I had this novel on my "to Read" list for too long. I finally got around to reading it over the last month and found it an enthralling history of famous naval characters and events. Monserrat's research brings an authenticity to each episode which makes the book thoroughly satisfying.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is really a series of short stories involving our same "cursed" character. I learned things I never knew about the more famous of history's mariners. Hudson's crew mutinied and set Henry adrift. I had know about Nelson's wife never receiving any benefits after Nelson's demise, but I did not know about Nelson's affair. Over all an interesting read.

[Noreen Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was a hard slog sometimes but overall a very good book.

[Deborah Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was a very long time ago but the memory of this book has remained

[Brad Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd have given it 6 stars if it were finished. A brilliant and enlightening tale across centuries of a sailors life, loved it

[Edwin Yardley · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent start to the books

[Diane Wachter · Rating 3 out of 5]

RDC-M V 3 1979, 8/81. The Master Mariner: Running Proud. Nicholas Monsarrat. The autobiography of Nicholas Monsarrat. Okay.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tour de force historical novel covering hundreds of years of British sea-going prowess. Unfortunately Monsarrat died before completing Vol 2, but the work is informative and interesting.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

a trip through nautical history..keelhauling and all...

[Samir AAtalla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recounting old English naval history through the fictional life of a man cursed to live forever.

[Damion Foss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book and it sequel are undoubtedly the best pieces of work I have ever read. The story of Mathew Lawe moving through some of naval histories most influencial times and meeting iconic characters along the way is superbly planned, composte and written.
I feel its such a shame that the author could not have completed the 2nd part, finishing the book using his notes, albeit leaving the book still with gaps, was a fitting tribute to the man and his story telling.
This will remain my favourite book for a long time and will take something truly special to replace it