The Master Of Monterey

by Lawrence Coates

When Commodore Jones and the crew of the National Intention land in Monterey believing themselves to be bringing freedom and democracy to the benighted Californios, they discover that history has preceded them, that cruelty, betrayal, greed, and lust are already well established there, and that far from existing outside of history, California is a battleground for several contending versions of the past. They also find that their own limitations and illusions are far more powerful than the message of hope that they intend to deliver.
The Master of Monterey is filled with heartbreaking irony and raucous energy, the story of the men who claimed the West and who, far from creating history, found themselves trapped within it.

Genres: Fiction

283 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Hello.

I've been teaching Creative Writing for nearly twenty years, and I've been writing for as long as I can remember.

I write fiction set in Northern California, where I grew up. I want to write stories that have deep roots, that always see the present as connected to the past, and that are concerned with the fate of place as well as with the fate of people.

I've been teaching Creative Writing in Ohio for some time now, but I'm still writing about the part of California that feels like home to me: the East Bay, the Silicon Valley, the Monterey Bay Area.

My fourth novel, The Goodbye House, was published in the fall of 2015. I also had a novella coming out in 2015 entitled Camp Olvido.

My first novel, The Blossom Festival, won the Western States Book Award in fiction and was chosen for the Barnes and Noble Discover Great New Writers Program. My second novel, The Master of Monterey, was published in 2003, and my third novel, The Garden of the World, was published in 2012.

You can find more information on my work at www.lawrencecoates.com. You can also find my blog on the techniques of literary fiction, The Formalist Fiction Writer, at www.lawrencecoates.wordpress.com.

Thanks,

Lawrence

Reviews

[Myke Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this back in '04 for a fiction class, and then had a class the next semester with Dr. Coates. A fantastic story, and a great teacher.

[Elizabeth Horan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific novel, up-to-the-minute historical fiction with a great sense of humor about the "National Intention," the ship whose near-insane Commodore, with a very motley crew, manages to take the outpost of Monterey California for three days in 1842. I have many favorite characters: Pearl Prynne (yest, the very same) who at age 80+ but with a body as lithesome as a young boy, seduces the youthful Rafael Rafael back in Boston, who Narcissus-like falls in love with his image, that is, his Echo-sister, and goes off to sea to get away from it all... although he knows the Dark Man is hovering over his shoulder... My favorite character might be Hannibal Memory, captured in Africa and sold into slavery but who becomes the personal servant to the Commodore, and, learning to read and write (including Latin) writes down the ship's exploits in an alternative version from that of Waxdeck, the superbly-named bilious poet whom the Commodore commissions to write the epic of his grand achievement. And McCormick, who pulled on his crotch. And Jimmy F. Bush, the scapegoat. A postmodern Melvillian tale, but set in mostly California when it was still Mexican and native. I couldn't put it down! Read through in two sittings!

[corinna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I may never read another historical fiction, just so I can say that every historical fiction I've ever read (this one) has been amazing! This book is full of humor and whimsy, and the characters in it just seem to come to life. Its not the most widely available book, but it is completely worth the sleuthing. Its a super speedy read, too.

[Matthew]

Catch-22 style of humor about an American naval captain who conquered the Mexican city of Monterey while under the mistaken impression that the two countries were at war. Based on true events.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed these complex, flawed characters embroiled in making, and faking, the uncharted West Coast of North America.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting novel about on the history of California.