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The Captain's Wife: A Novel
Mary Patten, the wife of a clipper ship navigator, finds herself in the world's most dangerous ocean waters off Cape Horn and in command of the ship's mutinous crew when her husband falls ill, in an epic historical novel based on the real-life exploits of a remarkable woman. A first novel.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2001
7 people are currently reading
466 people want to read
About the author
Douglas Kelley
13 books6 followersA native of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Douglas Kelley now makes his home just across the Oklahoma state line. From this landlocked base, a profession as a corporate pilot facilitated his travels to research this book of the sea. The Captain's Wife is his first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
April 14, 2016
I hate not finishing books that I own, but this was just too poorly written.
The Poisonwood Bible to The Captain's Wife by way of a female protagonist who is placed into 'fish out of water' circumstances
The Poisonwood Bible to The Captain's Wife by way of a female protagonist who is placed into 'fish out of water' circumstances
August 17, 2014
I really enjoyed the story in this one. The author chose a story rich in detail and potential and just expanded on that beautifully. What results is an engaging novel that keeps the reader engaged from port to port. I really have to commend the author on the pacing he employs while writing this. I found that there was never a time where the reader was bogged down too much in downtime. The times when the ship was becalmed or peaceful days of sea travel were offset by the tragedies of sickening captain and mutinous first mate, safely navigating the ship through perilous seas and horrific storms, and all while trying to figure out how to survive till San Francisco.
My one critique would be how the author would get far too technical at times. There are extremely detailed passages in this book on navigation, the intricacies of the sails and rigging, and how a clipper ship is run and sailed. While yes I can see the place some of this would have in the novel, far too many times the reader is bogged down in excessive detail to the point of eye-rolling and skimming to more juicy parts.
Altogether, this is an enjoyable novel from the Age of Sail. It tells an engrossing story of survival and triumph in a way that doesn't make the reader tired to the effort. Yet, it must be noted that this novel could have benefited from some extensive cutting of technical aspects badly. But, overall, I enjoyed this novel immensely and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys Age of Sail novels, especially ones with strong female leads (they're not that common).
My one critique would be how the author would get far too technical at times. There are extremely detailed passages in this book on navigation, the intricacies of the sails and rigging, and how a clipper ship is run and sailed. While yes I can see the place some of this would have in the novel, far too many times the reader is bogged down in excessive detail to the point of eye-rolling and skimming to more juicy parts.
Altogether, this is an enjoyable novel from the Age of Sail. It tells an engrossing story of survival and triumph in a way that doesn't make the reader tired to the effort. Yet, it must be noted that this novel could have benefited from some extensive cutting of technical aspects badly. But, overall, I enjoyed this novel immensely and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys Age of Sail novels, especially ones with strong female leads (they're not that common).
June 2, 2023
Some interesting history in there but a lot of nautical technical writing
May 20, 2010
This book was way too slow. The author took forever to get into some action and conflict and even then it felt like a sneeze that wouldn’t come. The first 160 pages followed the same formula, Captain shows his wife Mary Patten how to take nautical measurements and chart course. First Mate Keeler fails to drive the ship as fast as it can go. Captain reprimands First Mate Keeler. Keeler seethes. Hit the reset button and start again. The entire time the reader is itching for some conflict, explosion, outburst from someone, anyone just to break up the repetition.
Finally around page 180 or so the conflict between Captain and First Mate erupts. This is what those 160 pages have been leading up to, but it’s a huge let down. The entire confrontation is over in a blink of an eye and for all the build-up, and was totally unsatisfying.
Then the remainder of the novel returns to formulaic pace. Mary Patten takes nautical measurements and charts course. Second Mate Hare doubts his abilities to run the ship. Mary nurses the unconscious Captain.
It was so frustrating! This story had everything going for it and there were so many elements the author could have used to better advantage, mutiny, grave illness, an angry sea, a ship full of sailors under the command of a woman. I have been trying to figure out which one of those was the story’s antagonist. But none of them were strong enough to be considered the antagonist. Then I thought perhaps this novel wasn’t about the conflict but the journey. This idea left me just as cold. Mary didn’t grow into the strong woman she could have during this journey. Outside of the few pep talks to the crew and the nautical readings she did little an actual Captain would do. I was hoping for her to turn into a strong, take no prisoner, swashbuckling captain, barking orders and ruling with an iron fist by the end of the voyage. Sadly, not only did she not grow into that strong role, but at the end of the book she states her opinion that women are not equal to men and scoffs at the idea of the Suffragettes using her as an example of equality.
In the end this book left me wanting more and feeling completely unfulfilled.
Finally around page 180 or so the conflict between Captain and First Mate erupts. This is what those 160 pages have been leading up to, but it’s a huge let down. The entire confrontation is over in a blink of an eye and for all the build-up, and was totally unsatisfying.
Then the remainder of the novel returns to formulaic pace. Mary Patten takes nautical measurements and charts course. Second Mate Hare doubts his abilities to run the ship. Mary nurses the unconscious Captain.
It was so frustrating! This story had everything going for it and there were so many elements the author could have used to better advantage, mutiny, grave illness, an angry sea, a ship full of sailors under the command of a woman. I have been trying to figure out which one of those was the story’s antagonist. But none of them were strong enough to be considered the antagonist. Then I thought perhaps this novel wasn’t about the conflict but the journey. This idea left me just as cold. Mary didn’t grow into the strong woman she could have during this journey. Outside of the few pep talks to the crew and the nautical readings she did little an actual Captain would do. I was hoping for her to turn into a strong, take no prisoner, swashbuckling captain, barking orders and ruling with an iron fist by the end of the voyage. Sadly, not only did she not grow into that strong role, but at the end of the book she states her opinion that women are not equal to men and scoffs at the idea of the Suffragettes using her as an example of equality.
In the end this book left me wanting more and feeling completely unfulfilled.
May 10, 2021
I’m rounding up 3.5 stars, maybe. It was a bit slow. I liked the vivid settings of New York and San Francisco harbors. Sailing details seem realistic— I admire the author’s research. Mary Patten’s 1858 voyage could be more compelling, considering the details are conjecture, but author Douglas Kelly paints a rather understated story.
February 20, 2025
I’ve been meaning to read this book for awhile. I don’t like going too long without reading a good nautical adventure. While this book is listed as fiction, it is at least historical fiction. The author goes into detail about how much research he did to try to uncover as much about the true story as possible, though I believe he ultimately had to create much of the conflict and details himself. What we know for sure is that Mary Patten (19 years old) accompanied her captain husband to sea, and after the mutinous first mate was put in the hold and her husband fell ill, became the primary navigator for the ship during a terrible winter around Cape Horn. Oh. And she found out she was pregnant during the voyage. Holy cow. (These aren’t spoilers. You can read these details on the back cover.)
So glad this fascinating story has been fleshed out so well. Though there are some tedious passages dealing with how the ship was run that I found myself glossing over sometimes. Without visual aid it was hard to be able to place all the specific terms for different parts of a ship and exactly what people were doing.
Note: there are some short, sometimes mildly explicit passages about her healthy sexual relationship with her husband, so this is definitely at minimum a young adult read.
So glad this fascinating story has been fleshed out so well. Though there are some tedious passages dealing with how the ship was run that I found myself glossing over sometimes. Without visual aid it was hard to be able to place all the specific terms for different parts of a ship and exactly what people were doing.
Note: there are some short, sometimes mildly explicit passages about her healthy sexual relationship with her husband, so this is definitely at minimum a young adult read.
January 14, 2019
This is a book I wasn't sure I would like but I really loved it. It is a story of love and hope. A story of a couple, the man a ships' captain and she his loving wife, who set out to sail the seas from NY to San Francisco; albeit racing with another ship!. The captain has trouble locating a good first mate in NY but settles on someone he hopes will work out. Fairly soon that person causes divisions in the crew, makes his own rules, doesn't abide by the captain and ends up attacking the captain. Placed in the hold a young second mate takes over but he is unable to read. While the captain is abed from the attack; she schools the mate and navigates the ship. She nurses her husband daily and helps guide the ship through terrible weather and keeps the crew engaged in their goal; to reach San Francisco! This is based on a true story of a 19 year old woman who rose to take a lead in sea travel in the mid 1800's!
November 11, 2011
This was a really nice little book. I love stuff about the sea...which may have something to do with being descended from a crusty old sailor names Phineas Pratt. For a first book I thought it was really well written. Mary Patten, God Bless her...and her curiosity, or boredom, whatever it was that made her want to learn how to use a sextant, and read charts! It's a sad sad story, and I wish that there was more information on what eventually happened to her. But, imagine my surprise to get to the last 5 or so pages and find out that her husband died in the Somerville Lunatic Asylum....I've lived in Somerville for 30 years now. They are both buried in Everett...I thought maybe I'd go try to find her, and tell her one more time what a swell job she did making it around the Horn.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2024
Oh wow, this book appealed to me on so many levels. If you love historical fiction, are a geek for survival stories, have any connections to Boston, New York, Maine or San Francisco, enjoy and respect the variations of our vast oceans, have some interest in earth science, particularly the winds, enjoy reading of smart, strong women, are curious about geography, this is the book for you!!! Sort of the Little House on the Prairie of the high seas. (Spoiler alert: Nellie Olsen is the treasonist first mate!) the author was kind enough to include some of his research into what happened after the “story” ends, which I truly appreciate with historical fiction. And as women’s stories are less likely to be told through generations, I am entirely grateful for this 1856 account.
February 13, 2026
A sailing tale based on documented events. Though the book bogs down from time to time as Kelley tries to answer the inevitable questions about the relations between the Cap’n and his quite young bride on those lonely nights at sea, the story rolls out with a pace and flavor of tension, drama, and detail that keeps you attached to this odd spectacle playing out on the 216-feet of deck and below in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. One of the great clipper ships of the 1850s sails again and down, ‘round the Horn, no less, with an ill -chosen crew member who tries to muck things up. But all is kept in hand by the brave and useful bride, who, BTW, finds she is expecting mid voyage. Tension in the lines and halyards and pressures on the hull are matched by the relationships on board the Neptune’s Car—the real name of a real boat that really did the journey way back in 1856. There’s another book about the ship itself, Neptune’s Car-An American Legend, by Paul W. Simpson, who emphasizes that it was a “Virginia Clipper”. But Wait! There’s a “narrative non-fiction” book about the voyage, Sea Captain’s Wife, by Tilar J. Mazzeo (St. Martin’s Press, 2025), who usually writes about wine. The boat itself was “abandoned” in 1869 says some accounts, but no mention of where.
August 13, 2020
I'm not sure how this fell into my hands. Nor where it's been, but I suspect it stopped by both Hell and Back. The binding is twisted, the pages loose, held together with Scotch Tape. Pages faded and dog-eared. Published 2001. Some bodies kept passing this along as a worthy read, quite often it seems. Thanks.
It is a historical novel, based on fact, but of course, emebellished.
The author kept pulling threads about an arduous sailing in 1856 from NYC to SF CA, at the tail end of the Gold Rush, of the clipper, Neptune's Car, loaded with vital goods for a 6 month supply voyage, until he had a compelling tale. He found it.
During the voyage, the Captain takes seriously ill just as his 1st Mate plots a mutiny, AND, as the ship rounds the treacherous and stormy Cape Horn between Argentina and Antarctica.
So the Captain's wife takes over. She has learned navigation watching Captain do the tasks and ......
OK, OK, read it.
It is a historical novel, based on fact, but of course, emebellished.
The author kept pulling threads about an arduous sailing in 1856 from NYC to SF CA, at the tail end of the Gold Rush, of the clipper, Neptune's Car, loaded with vital goods for a 6 month supply voyage, until he had a compelling tale. He found it.
During the voyage, the Captain takes seriously ill just as his 1st Mate plots a mutiny, AND, as the ship rounds the treacherous and stormy Cape Horn between Argentina and Antarctica.
So the Captain's wife takes over. She has learned navigation watching Captain do the tasks and ......
OK, OK, read it.
October 12, 2020
We're following the story of Mary Patten, wife of clipper ship captain Joshua Patten in 1856 New York Harbor. Based on a true story.
En route to delivering cargo to San Francisco by way of Cape Horn, she learns how to navigate using a sextant. She is wary of a last minute hire First Mate Keeler, and eventually befriends Second Mate Mr. Hare.
The captain falls ill with suspected meningitis and Mary and Mr. Hare get the ship to its final destination.
There is plenty of sailing ship vocabulary and ocean-going descriptions, but the story moves along well enough.
The ship's name Neptune's Car evokes confidence. "What better way to ride across the waves than on the carriage of the ruler of the sea?"
Overall, a satisfying escape to a time, place, and culture that is vastly different from today's pandemic era.
En route to delivering cargo to San Francisco by way of Cape Horn, she learns how to navigate using a sextant. She is wary of a last minute hire First Mate Keeler, and eventually befriends Second Mate Mr. Hare.
The captain falls ill with suspected meningitis and Mary and Mr. Hare get the ship to its final destination.
There is plenty of sailing ship vocabulary and ocean-going descriptions, but the story moves along well enough.
The ship's name Neptune's Car evokes confidence. "What better way to ride across the waves than on the carriage of the ruler of the sea?"
Overall, a satisfying escape to a time, place, and culture that is vastly different from today's pandemic era.
August 3, 2017
I was in the mood for historical fiction and found this sea tale just right for summer reading. Clipper ship sets sail from New York, bound for San Francisco around Cape Horn, and the captain wants to make the trip fast. Mary Patten, the captain's wife, has been married to Joshua Patten for about a year and is only 17 years old. They are still very much in love, practically newlyweds. Accompanying him on just one other voyage, Mary stayed by his side and insisted he teach her to navigate. She gets pretty good at it until a lightning strike sent her below to nurse injured sailors. Good training for this trip and its trials. My previous historical ship reads have been mostly pirate stories. I learned some new sailing terms and customs and enjoyed the book.
November 13, 2020
I really liked this novel of historical fiction. While little is known of Mary Patten, the captain's wife, the author writes a story around the known facts that kept me turning the pages.
Leaving New York City for San Francisco in 1857 aboard a large clipper ship, Mary must become navigator and captain as her husband falls ill, the first mate mutiny and the battle the ocean waves around Cape Horn.
While i had a bit of difficulty with some of the nautical terms, it did not stop me from enjoying this novel.
Leaving New York City for San Francisco in 1857 aboard a large clipper ship, Mary must become navigator and captain as her husband falls ill, the first mate mutiny and the battle the ocean waves around Cape Horn.
While i had a bit of difficulty with some of the nautical terms, it did not stop me from enjoying this novel.
January 12, 2021
Based on the true story of Mary Patten, a 19 year-old who, in 1856, has to take command of a clipper ship from New York to San Francisco after her husband is mentally incapacitated. Complicating matters is that the first mate is confined for mutiny. With the young second mate, Hare, she uses her navigational knowledge to reach safety. It’s really only got the four characters, but the fascinating details of sailing life and dangers makes for an absorbing read with non-anachronistic material and a rather sad epilogue
July 27, 2025
Years after reading this book (about 7 to 9 years ago), it still left a lasting impression on me.
I remember the storyline (most of it anyway), and I'm so glad I got the chance to read it. It’s actually the first and only historical fiction book I’ve ever read, and somehow, it stuck with me all this time.
For a long while, I couldn’t even remember the title until I typed the storyline into a search engine—and it brought this book up. That moment felt like reconnecting with a part of myself.
A quiet masterpiece in my personal reading journey. A must-read!
I remember the storyline (most of it anyway), and I'm so glad I got the chance to read it. It’s actually the first and only historical fiction book I’ve ever read, and somehow, it stuck with me all this time.
For a long while, I couldn’t even remember the title until I typed the storyline into a search engine—and it brought this book up. That moment felt like reconnecting with a part of myself.
A quiet masterpiece in my personal reading journey. A must-read!
October 2, 2019
This novel is based on a true story taking place in 1856. It's about a woman who sails with her husband, the captain, on a clipper ship going from New York City to San Francisco by way of the Cape Horn. When the captain becomes ill and the first mate is locked up that leaves the Captain's Wife and the second mate to get them to San Francisco. I found this story interesting. A couple of times it was a little slow but well worth reading.
December 8, 2020
I absolutely loved learning about the clipper ships, the work that sailors do, and how all those sails and ropes work. The author does a great job of putting the reader on the ship, especially during the storms and the frigid temperatures south of the equator that time of year. I appreciated this story for the strength and teamwork of the captain's wife and the first mate who took the voyage into their own hands when necessary and completed their route.
February 18, 2018
A low 3, bordering on 2.5. admittedly based on my ignorance on the subject of sailing. so much of the book was detail on how the ship was being sailed that it all ran together in a haze of words. perhaps if I knew anything about sailing, catching the wind, or even had a clear visual in my head of what the ship looked like and where all the sails were I would have enjoyed it more.
June 9, 2017
I think it would be helpful to have included a diagram of clipper ships with the book. Some of the parts describing the ship and sails go a little confusing. I looked one up but it would have been much easier if it had been included.
December 27, 2017
OK, this one I just couldn't get into. It just wasn't that compelling. I appreciate that she was a real person, and her accomplishments were amazing for the time period of her life, but this is one of the few books that I put down before finishing. Oh well - you can't love them all!!
November 9, 2018
Interesting historical figure but story was slow without any literary feel. I found the detail on sailing new and somewhat interesting though. Made me want to know more about sailing itself but the story could have been better told.
March 7, 2021
Women's history month read.
I'm glad I read this story, but her extreme humility and her inability to accept praise and recognition is painful. Amazingly intelligent and brave women, just doing their wifely duty.
I'm glad I read this story, but her extreme humility and her inability to accept praise and recognition is painful. Amazingly intelligent and brave women, just doing their wifely duty.
June 5, 2025
Horrible, I had to read it for book club??? We all hated disliked it and couldn’t believe the lack of effort for choosing it… WAIT FOR IT… the gal who chose the the book randomly off the shelf did NOT even read it herself!!! I thought we were going to attack her!!! :).
September 20, 2017
TheAuthor provided too much detailed information about clipper ships. Sometimes I skipped over those parts if it wasn't central to the story.
March 5, 2025
Biographical fiction about a set of circumstances where a young, pregnant teenager winds up captaining a ship in the mid 1800s.
Action adventure, survival fiction too.
Action adventure, survival fiction too.
September 14, 2025
3.5 stars — amazing true story, slow plot, little character development
September 30, 2025
4.5 rounded up
March 23, 2025
I think the author did the best he could with the historical material he had, which was not much after more than a century. The story of Mary Patten is an interesting and unique sliver of maritime history, but ultimately it doesn't appear to be enough to build a novel around. Truthfully, I became quite bored. There are only so many descriptions to be made of life on a ship, and much of it was repetitious. There was also a lot of technical nautical jargon that didn't appeal to me. Perhaps a novella would have been able to keep up a livelier pace and keep me interested, but this was a bit too much.
June 25, 2024
This was a really amazing historical fiction based on the true story of Mary Patten who accompanied her husband on Neptune's Car, a clipper ship that sailed from New York City to San Francisco in the 1800s. She took charge of the ship when her husband became ill shortly after a first mate attempted mutiny. The author did an amazing job describing the details of life aboard a clipper ship, from how the wind factored into the different sails and sailing techniques to how normal weather changes from one side of the equator to the other impacted the ship itself. I felt like I was on the ship and the author sparked my interest in clipper ships. The only thing I wish he could have included in this book was a picture of a clipper ship so that I could follow all the nautical terms.
The author does an excellent job maintaining the male/female roles as historically portrayed in the mid-1800s. His main character, Mary, is content in her role as wife, mother, and nurse, and when called upon to take over for her sick husband, she does so with great dignity and resolve without losing her femininity or historical context. I appreciated the author's realistic portrayal of what she would have felt or thought at that time in that setting.
NOTE: Several sex scenes between husband and wife, though they are intended to show the love between the two rather than erotic fantasy.
The author does an excellent job maintaining the male/female roles as historically portrayed in the mid-1800s. His main character, Mary, is content in her role as wife, mother, and nurse, and when called upon to take over for her sick husband, she does so with great dignity and resolve without losing her femininity or historical context. I appreciated the author's realistic portrayal of what she would have felt or thought at that time in that setting.
NOTE: Several sex scenes between husband and wife, though they are intended to show the love between the two rather than erotic fantasy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews