The Oceans and the Stars
Mark Helprin, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Winter’s Tale and A Soldier of the Great War, presents a fast-paced, beautifully written novel about the majesty of the sea; a life dedicated to duty, honor, and country; and the gift of falling in love.
A Navy captain near the end of a decorated career, Stephen Rensselaer is disciplined, intelligent, and determined to always do what’s right. In defending the development of a new variant of warship, he makes an enemy of the president of the United States, who assigns him to command the doomed line’s only prototype––Athena, Patrol Coastal 15––with the intent to humiliate a man who should have been an admiral.
Rather than resign, Rensselaer takes the new assignment in stride, and while supervising Athena’s fitting out in New Orleans, encounters a brilliant lawyer, Katy Farrar, with whom he falls in last-chance love. Soon thereafter, he is deployed on a mission that subjects his integrity, morality, and skill to the ultimate test, and ensures that Athena will live forever in the annals of the Navy.
As in the Odyssey, Katy is the force that keeps him alive and the beacon that lights the way home through seven battles, mutiny, and court martial. In classic literary form, an enthralling new novel that extolls the virtues of living by the laws of conscience, decency, and sacrifice, The Oceans and the Stars is nothing short of a masterpiece.
Reviews
Great read. Suspend full level of emotion.
By Ojaitraveler
4.5/5 stars Very well written, an interesting story and well developed characters. I would definitely recommend. Hal R - Troy, MI
By Halsterx
I couldn’t help buy think what a fabulous movie this could be!
By The Kind Wren
One of the best written books I have ever read. Beautiful prose and at the same time very exciting. Loved the characters exceptional spirit of honor and dedication.
By GWYNEDD READER
This is the first Helprin I’ve read, and it was absolutely fantastic. Five stars.
By Jack7385828