Ian’s review of The Cruel Sea > Likes and Comments

Congratulations on another LBC finish 👏, even if this one was spoilered a bit by the film for you.

Berengaria wrote: "Congratulations on another LBC finish 👏, even if this one was spoilered a bit by the film for you."

Thanks very much Berengaria!

A superb review Ian, thank you! Congratulations on a speedy LBC completion 🥳🎉📣!

Alan (The Lone Librarian) wrote: "A superb review Ian, thank you! Congratulations on a speedy LBC completion 🥳🎉📣!"

Thank you very much Alan!

It seems you picked the better Monsarrat book. Glad you ripped through it and enjoyed it.

Sportyrod wrote: "It seems you picked the better Monsarrat book. Glad you ripped through it and enjoyed it."

Thanks Rod!

Superb review, Ian. It looks like one for me to consider.

I love how you’ve captured both the brutal authenticity of life at sea and the very human prejudices of the men who lived it. Some classics survive even knowing the ending but apparently, the North Atlantic, U-boats, and sheer human misery don’t lose their bite on a second voyage. A wonderful review of a book that clearly earned its place in the canon, Ian!

Paul wrote: "Superb review, Ian. It looks like one for me to consider."

Thanks very much Paul.

Debbie Y wrote: "I love how you’ve captured both the brutal authenticity of life at sea and the very human prejudices of the men who lived it. Some classics survive even knowing the ending but apparently, the North..."

Thanks Debbie!

Although I read historical fiction, invariably those novels project modern morality backwards to the past, to a greater or lesser degree. Novels written at the time are a snapshot of attitudes from the past.

That would be an interesting perspective of combat vs non-combat participants. My dad was always critical of actors that skirted their combat duty and were given a reprieve by the government. He definitely had that attitude.

Judith wrote: "That would be an interesting perspective of combat vs non-combat participants. My dad was always critical of actors that skirted their combat duty and were given a reprieve by the government. He de..."

One of the things about the 1950s British war films was that most of the actors had been in the services during the war (although the majority had served in entertainment and film propaganda units). Still, they knew how to march and salute, and they knew how officers and men addressed each other.

The actors David Niven and Christopher Lee were both officers in combat units during WW2. There's something about the bearing of those two, that makes it very unsurprising that they were British Army officers. James Stewart would be a U.S. equivalent.

Ian wrote: "Judith wrote: "That would be an interesting perspective of combat vs non-combat participants. My dad was always critical of actors that skirted their combat duty and were given a reprieve by the go..."
I failed to say these were U.S. Hollywood actors that he refused to support. He was impressed with David Niven’s service:)

Thanks for a fine review, Ian. The Oakcrest might echo this theme.

Thanks Jeanne. I shall look forward with interest to "The Oakcrest."