"The West Indies squadron lay off Bridgetown, sheltered from the north-east tradewind and basking in the brilliant sun. It was a diminished squadron, consisting of little more than the ancient Irresistible, wearing the flag of Sir William Pellew, red at the fore, and two or three battered, worn-out, unmanned sloops..."
The Reverse of the Medal - Patrick O'Brian
These lines are perhaps not as strikingly bold as those of Dickens or Orson Scott Card. However, they give me such a delicious sense of tall ships anchored in the sun-dazzled waters of Barbados, words of unpretentious jargon rumbling on about their business like fat, lazy bees, and the promise of exciting naval battles to come that I cannot escape sighing with anticipatory contentment. Aaaaahhh. In a time of term papers and final exams, it's like the apple of knowledge, the holy grail, and k.d. lang all rolled into one.... I cannot WAIT to read that book!!!
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