Publisher Norton has plenty to Crowe about these days, with Patrick O'Brian's acclaimed Aubrey/ Maturin sea sagas becoming revitalized via Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, the Russell Crowe—starring film that opened to glowing notices on November 14. The film's story line, reported Norton publicity director Louise Brockett, is drawn primarily—and takes as its title—from the first and 10th books in the series. In preparation for the film's release, said Brockett, "We have reprinted every book that Patrick O'Brian published with us—not only the 20 series titles, but also nonseries books." As for Master and Commander and The Far Side of the World, Norton has released nearly half a million tie-in paperback editions of each, with movie art on the covers. (Also out from Norton is the official "making-of" book, The Making of Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World by Tom McGregor.)
—With reporting by Dick Donahue
