Sir,' said Stephen, 'I read novels with the utmost pertinacity. I look upon them—I look upon good novels—as a very valuable part of literature, conveying more exact and finely-distinguished knowledge of the human heart and mind than almost any other, with greater breadth and depth and fewer constraints.


Master and commander ; Post captain ; H.M.S. Surprise ; The Mauritius command (ed. 2004)

Patrick O'Brian Quotes

Sir,' said Stephen, 'I read novels with the utmost pertinacity. I look upon them—I look upon good novels—as a very valuable part of literature,...

Sir,' said Stephen, 'I read novels with the utmost pertinacity. I look upon them—I look upon good novels—as a very valuable part of literature,...

Sir,' said Stephen, 'I read novels with the utmost pertinacity. I look upon them—I look upon good novels—as a very valuable part of literature,...

Sir,' said Stephen, 'I read novels with the utmost pertinacity. I look upon them—I look upon good novels—as a very valuable part of literature,...