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The Caine Mutiny A Novel Herman Wouk Books

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The Caine Mutiny A Novel Herman Wouk Books

The Caine Mutiny was Herman Wouk’s first post World War II novel. Published in 1951, the novel qualified as contemporary fiction. Sixty-six years later it’s a classic coming-of-age story that reads like historical fiction.
The story isn’t about the U.S.S. Caine or even the ubiquitous Captain Queeg with his ball bearings. The Caine Mutiny is about Willie Keith, a spoiled rich kid who finds himself in a world unlike anything he’s ever known. A world in which he must make a decision that can and does destroy careers.
Willie wants to follow the right path. But which path is that? He could obey the orders of a superior officer, and perhaps go down with his ship. He could believe Lt Keefer’s assessment that the captain is unfit for duty and still obey orders. He could support his friend Lt Maryk, a man with true skills in seamanship. But what does that mean? It could mean dissuading Maryk from taking control of the ship. It could mean supporting Maryk’s decision to do so. And the decision must be made in the middle of a typhoon.
The Caine Mutiny won the Pulitzer Prize in 1951 for good reasons. Wouk’s words effortlessly take the reader aboard the Caine and into World War II mine-sweeping activities. He brings out the stresses of life in close quarters. Even more important, Wouk develops a classic theme as Keith struggles to become a man.


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The Caine Mutiny A Novel Herman Wouk Books Reviews

This has been my favourite read of 2017. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the book considering that when I think of naval mutiny I think of the 1990’s movie Crimson Tide, with high drama and intense acting. The Caine Mutiny is at the opposite end of the intensity scale in almost every respect.

This is a long, slow coming of age story in a time of war. We are so used to being entertained by fast paced, action packed movies and books that I sometimes wonder if we have lost an appreciation for things that are a truer reflection of the movement of time. The pace of the story gave the reader a true appreciation of the character development witnessed over the course of the book and of the nature of war. After the fact, it is easy to think of war was a series of battles that were won or lost, but this glosses over the weeks and months of hurry up and wait that fill much of a military man’s life. Wouk captures the interminable endless feeling of war perfectly and likewise startles us with the infrequent, violent nature of battles and storms against this otherwise benign backdrop.

This is all great stuff of course, but what made it a favourite read? Wouk writes charmingly, with familiarity and wit. He always seems to have the perfect word, the perfect little detail to convey a scene to the reader. The story is, of course, the real draw. And more than anything it is the simplicity of the story. It’s the story of Willie Keith growing up in a time of war. The story has a traditional arc that pulls the reader along and all of the supporting characters are fascinating in their own right and support this arc. The angst and trouble that Willie experiences are ordinary and relatable. There is a complete absence of social issues, events and characters to make the story “relevant.” The backdrop of war gives the story context and allows Wouk to use it as prism to break out character, leadership and friendship.

This was a great story with enduring character lessons for us.
The Caine Mutiny is one of the greatest books I have ever read - and I've read many. I have read this book so often I couldn't put a number to this reality. It is insightful to an extraordinary degree as to the lives and behaviour of people with a special focus on the WW2 Navy. These insights can only have emerged from a man (Herman Wouk) who has lived them. Perhaps he is one of the characters or perhaps all of them given the infinite complexity of what it is to be human especially under the stress of war time pressures. Tom Keefer's likening ( a key character) of his moment of cowardice to that of "Lord Jim" - he refers to himself as "Lord Tom" with his genius like capacity for irony - and its defining impact on his life is overwhelmingly poignant ("Don't forget Willy - I jumped") and might function as a warning to us all.
I could go on but I have learned much about life from this book. It is so important that I have numerous hard copies and a copy so I can pretty much have it with me wherever I go.
The Caine Mutiny was Herman Wouk’s first post World War II novel. Published in 1951, the novel qualified as contemporary fiction. Sixty-six years later it’s a classic coming-of-age story that reads like historical fiction.
The story isn’t about the U.S.S. Caine or even the ubiquitous Captain Queeg with his ball bearings. The Caine Mutiny is about Willie Keith, a spoiled rich kid who finds himself in a world unlike anything he’s ever known. A world in which he must make a decision that can and does destroy careers.
Willie wants to follow the right path. But which path is that? He could obey the orders of a superior officer, and perhaps go down with his ship. He could believe Lt Keefer’s assessment that the captain is unfit for duty and still obey orders. He could support his friend Lt Maryk, a man with true skills in seamanship. But what does that mean? It could mean dissuading Maryk from taking control of the ship. It could mean supporting Maryk’s decision to do so. And the decision must be made in the middle of a typhoon.
The Caine Mutiny won the Pulitzer Prize in 1951 for good reasons. Wouk’s words effortlessly take the reader aboard the Caine and into World War II mine-sweeping activities. He brings out the stresses of life in close quarters. Even more important, Wouk develops a classic theme as Keith struggles to become a man.