Sunset

by Douglas Reeman

1941. To the residents and defense forces of the Crown Colony of Hong Kong, the war in Europe remains remote. Even the massive build-up of Japanese forces on the Chinese border cannot dent their carefree optimism. Yet one man suspects the truth. Lieutenant-Commander Esmond Brooke, captain of HMS Serpent and a veteran of the cruel Atlantic, sees all too clearly the folly and incompetence of Hong Kong's colonial administration. To Brooke, attack by Japan seems inevitable. But, in war, there will always be some who attempt the impossible, even in the face of death. This is the story of one ship and her company who refuse to accept the anguish of defeat and surrender to a merciless enemy.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Military Fiction, Fiction, Romance, World War II

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

AKA Alexander Kent.
Douglas Edward Reeman was a British author who has written many historical fiction books on the Royal Navy, mainly set during either World War II or the Napoleonic Wars.

Reeman joined the Royal Navy in 1940, at the age of 16, and served during World War II and the Korean War. He eventually rose to the rank of lieutenant. In addition to being an author, Reeman has also taught the art of navigation for yachting and served as a technical advisor for films. Douglas married author Kimberley Jordan Reeman in 1985.

Reeman's debut novel, A Prayer for the Ship was published in 1958. His pseudonym Alexander Kent was the name of a friend and naval officer who died during the Second World War. Reeman is most famous for his series of Napoleonic naval stories, whose central character is Richard Bolitho, and, later, his nephew, Adam. He also wrote a series of novels about several generations of the Blackwood family who served in the Royal Marines from the 1850s to the 1970s, and a non-fiction account of his World War II experiences, D-Day : A Personal Reminiscence (1984).

Series:
* Blackwood Family

Reviews

[Nooilforpacifists · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I read this 20 years ago.

I did--and it's one of Reeman's better efforts.

[C.H. Cobb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lt. Cdr. Esmond Brooke commands HMS Serpent, conning her from Scapa Flow to Hong Kong. Brooke discovers that the British estimation of their own strength in Hong Kong is more delusional than realistic. The story concerns the adventures of the commander and his crew, both on the sea and on the shore, shortly before the Japanese capture the island.

It's a good tale with well-developed characters. The military details are crisp and precise; this is a Reeman trademark, in my estimation. If you enjoy naval yarns, this one will suffice.

[Peter Toomey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read some Reeman books when I was many years younger than I am now, and enjoyed them. What happened with this book? Was I more easily impressed as a young man, or harder to please now? Or is this not one of Reeman's better efforts?

The summary on the back cover implies this is a book about war, that Brooke 'suspects the truth', sees 'the folly and incompetence of Hong Kong's administration' and to him, 'attack by Japan seems almost inevitable.

But none of this is mentioned more than superficially, as an aside to a poorly written love story (pair of love stories, actually), with stilted prose, and confusing parts that almost seem to have had parts of the story accidentally removed.

I forced myself to finish the book, but took no joy in the process.

[Ron Wroblewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

A British destroyer is sent to Hong Kong just prior to the attach on Pearl Harbor and the Japanese invasion of British held territory. The story of one ship and her company who refuse to accept defeat and surrender. It shows the tension in Hong Kong just prior to the Japanese attack but also the arrogance of the British who didn't believe they would be attacked. If you read Reeman's WWII naval books you will find that they cover battles all over the world and putting them together you get a good view of the War. There is always a romance connected with British Officers.

[Michael Heath-Caldwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last days of 1941, will they, won't they? Time runs out for a lot of people in Hong Kong as the clock ticks towards the end of the year. A good look a life on a British naval destroyer in that era, and life in Hong Kong itself.

[ian stevenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of Reemans better books first read 30 years

[Alan Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome resd

For me it was a can't stop reading it kind of story of bravery, love and hope in a world that was being destroyed from forces both internal and external. Great read

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this -- low key, more about the captain and lieutenants and their personalities and relationships than a "sea yarn" full of storms and battles. Set in war, but the scene shifts from Atlantic convoy duty to on station in Hong Kong before Japanese attack there.

[Gwyn Owens · Rating 3 out of 5]

2nd read