History weaves fascinating adventures at the border between the past and the present, in the typical Reverte style that effortlessly transports the reader to different worlds and creates an authentic atmosphere, with many impactful descriptions and vivid heroes.

Manuel Koy is a sailor who remains on land after, during his watch, his ship hits an uncharted underwater rock and is removed from the naval vessel. He is like a cumulative image - through his memories and reflections, the sea is shown in all aspects - from storms and starry nights, to taverns and the crashing of the shore, women and alcohol, loyal friends and voyages around the world.

Without the sea, he is lost. It is peace and meaning, purpose and direction, and a reminder of the time when sailors navigated by maps and sextants, before being replaced by navigation systems, because even the ports are now different.

Tanker Soto may be a mysterious and fatal woman, but there is more confusion and sadness in her, and we will never fully understand her. She is a history specialist at the Naval Museum in Madrid. Her path accidentally intersects with Koy's during a trade in Barcelona, where she adorns herself with an old and precious sea map, in search of the mysterious sunken ship - "Dei Gloria", the property of the Jesuits that sank mysteriously shortly before the order was dissolved by Carlos III. The ship keeps its secrets and waits for centuries for someone to uncover them. Why has Tanker decided to uncover the ship at all costs and what will she find?

Reverte always weaves a web of multi-layered stories and heroes, but here it is not so much the plot itself that is important, but the details in which the meaning of the world is somehow assembled.

A maritime adventure book, filled with all the clichés it should carry. There's the beautiful girl seeking help, a sunken ship, a treasure, a hero, and the bad guys. It's a Sunday book that disappoints me a bit. I had higher expectations of the author. I would subtract a quarter of the book if it omitted all the technical jargon of sailors, which at times is frustrating and even more so because it has no interference in the plot at all.

It's recommendable. I give it a very personal 6/10, hoping people will read it and comment on the Facebook page "Reading makes you sexy". Greetings.

I love and respect Reverte, but this book was not mine. I would say it's his weakest one that I have read. Probably, it's also the fact that the maritime terminology and know-how don't particularly bother me. I objected to them and unfortunately, in this way, it suppresses the plot.

Perhaps the author tried to incorporate too much detailed maritime knowledge into the story, which ended up overshadowing the main narrative. As a result, the flow of the plot was disrupted, and it became a bit of a struggle to follow. While I appreciate Reverte's expertise in this area, it seems that in this case, he might have sacrificed the overall coherence and enjoyment of the book for the sake of showing off his knowledge.

However, it's important to note that everyone has different tastes when it comes to literature. Maybe there are others who would find this book fascinating precisely because of its in-depth exploration of maritime topics. But for me, it just didn't quite hit the mark.

This is a really good book.

It comprehensively covers all the fundamental aspects that a novel should possess.

The author has done an excellent job in presenting a well-structured plot, engaging characters, and a vivid setting.

Each chapter builds upon the previous one, gradually drawing the reader deeper into the story.

The writing style is clear and accessible, making it easy for readers of all levels to enjoy.

Whether you are a die-hard fan of novels or just looking for a good read, this book is highly recommended.

It offers a great escape from reality and allows you to immerse yourself in a world of imagination and adventure.

So, don't hesitate to pick up this book and give it a try. You won't be disappointed!

This was truly an enjoyable read from cover to cover.

Perez-Reverte is truly masterful when it comes to historical research. He either has an in-depth knowledge of it or creates the expertly crafted appearance of it. The suspenseful intrigue in his work keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, and the engaging characters draw you into their world.

What I find most enjoyable about the author's works is his philosophizing within each one. There are huge sections that can be taken out and quoted as hallmarks of wonderful existentialism. His ability to explore deep philosophical questions while still maintaining a thrilling and engaging story is truly remarkable.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction, suspense, and thought-provoking philosophy. It is a testament to Perez-Reverte's talent as a writer and his ability to create a world that readers will not want to leave.

Coy, a sailor without a ship, exiled from the sea, knows Tanger, a strange woman who perhaps unknowingly holds the answer to questions that certain men have been asking for centuries.

Together, they will seek the Dei Gloria, a brigantine that has rested in the deep waters of the Mediterranean for over two hundred years.

From Barcelona to Madrid, from Cadiz to Gibraltar, along the coasts of Cartagena, the objective is always a fabulous treasure that may contain the answer to one of the great mysteries in the history of Spain.

It was a good read but, in any case, the book that I liked least of Reverte's.

This story takes the readers on a thrilling adventure across different cities and coasts. The combination of Coy's longing for the sea and his search for the Dei Gloria with Tanger's mysterious connection to the answers makes the plot quite engaging. However, compared to Reverte's other works, this one might not have had the same impact on the reader. Maybe it was the pacing or the development of certain characters that didn't quite click. Nevertheless, it still offers an interesting exploration of history, mystery, and adventure.

The protagonist is Coy, a defeated and bitter man in life, constantly attracted to the sea in the more or less conscious hope of finding salvation there. Or a distraction from his inner torments.

The chilly Tangier offers him the long-awaited opportunity to return to sailing, involving him in a story within a story, whose events of piracy and political intrigues in the 18th century are revealed now drop by drop and now all at once.

The narrative does not engage immediately but prefers to focus on the in-depth exploration of the protagonist. And even after this is exhausted, the plot twists are rare except at the end. The development is linear, with flashbacks referring only to a few hours or minutes before. They are numerous and sometimes annoying when they break the suspense, in my opinion.

The reference to Lucas Corso from "The Club Dumas" is nice.

The descriptions of places and feelings are always original and evocative, as Pérez-Reverte knows how to do.

I can completely understand the perspective of many regular readers of Perez-Reverte who didn't relish this novel to the same extent as some of his other works. Indeed, it falls short in terms of the sustained suspense and intrigue that one can typically expect from his more renowned books. However, surprisingly, I discovered that I had a greater appreciation for The Nautical Chart compared to the other two novels I've perused by the author, namely The Club Dumas and The Flanders Panel.

In this particular book, Perez-Reverte appears to have harbored higher literary aspirations than he usually does. This seems to have led to a drama with a slower pace and a more realistic tone when contrasted with his typical offerings. Nevertheless, precisely because of this very aspect, I detected a significantly greater depth within the story. The characters and themes in The Nautical Chart simply struck a deeper chord with me compared to those in his other novels. Moreover, the fact that it's centered around a shipwreck adds an extra layer of coolness to the whole narrative.

It seems to me that Pérez-Reverte's knowledge and lexicon regarding maritime navigation are salvageable. However, I expected a more exciting story. The characters didn't appeal to me, except for the pilot. But the romance between Coy and her seemed so forced to me. I really liked that she died. It was a good ending.

Perhaps if the author had developed the characters more deeply and made the plot more engaging, it would have been a better read. The details about maritime navigation were interesting, but they couldn't make up for the lackluster story and unlikable characters. The forced romance between Coy and the pilot was a disappointment. It felt like it was added just for the sake of having a romantic element in the story.

Overall, while there were some redeeming qualities in the book, it didn't meet my expectations. I was hoping for a thrilling adventure on the high seas with well-developed characters and a captivating plot. Unfortunately, this wasn't the case.

I have been bored, and that says a lot coming from the pen of Pérez-Reverte. I think this is the first of his novels that hasn't conquered me.

Perhaps I lack the nautical knowledge that has prevented me from "enjoying" this novel. But between its turtle-like pace, strange characters with whom I haven't connected at all, and the lack of events and plot in itself, reaching the end has its merit.

The story seems to drag on, with not much happening to keep my interest piqued. The characters, although perhaps well-developed in some aspects, remain distant and unrelatable to me.

Maybe if I had more background in nautical matters, I would have been able to appreciate the details and nuances that the author included. However, as it stands, this novel has left me feeling somewhat disappointed.

Despite all this, I must admit that Pérez-Reverte is a talented writer, and perhaps this is just an off day for him. I will still look forward to reading his future works, hoping that they will recapture the magic that I have found in his previous novels.

Coy, a Barcelonan sailor, lived only by and for the sea until a shipwreck banished him from the maritime world. At the auction of an old nautical chart, he falls deeply in love with Tanger, an alluring woman who works at the Naval Museum in Madrid. She will lead him on the trail of a sunken vessel, the brigantine Dei Gloria, which sank off the Spanish coast more than two centuries ago. A mysterious ship that,按理说, didn't contain any treasure. But with the sea, one should never say never. In the maze of libraries and naval archives, and then in the green waters of the Mediterranean, Coy and his dangerous companion are not alone on the trail of the wreck. Fascinating. Arturo Pérez-Reverte, the most widely read Spanish author in the world, a war correspondent and a great specialist of Alexandre Dumas, has achieved great success with, among others, The Captain Alatriste, The Fencing Master, The Flanders Panel, Club Dumas. Here, he uses another of his great passions - the sea - to deliver a splendid contemporary novel of maritime adventures. Mysteries, danger, poetry, passion. It's all there. The first part of the book, on land, is as exciting as the embarkation in search of the wreck. A true invitation to the maritime dream, with multiple references to the greats of this literature (Herman Melville, Francisco Coloane, etc.), in short, an event for every adventurer who sleeps within us. -Bruno Ménard

568 pages. Pocket. Paperback. This novel takes readers on a thrilling journey both on land and at sea. Pérez-Reverte's vivid descriptions bring the settings and characters to life, making it easy for readers to immerse themselves in the story. The plot is full of twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. Whether you're a fan of maritime adventures or simply looking for a captivating read, this book is sure to satisfy. So, set sail with Coy and Tanger and discover the secrets of the Dei Gloria!

In the beginning, I must say that I am truly in LOVE with Reverte's books. The suspense and mystery they hold, the thrilling plots that make me turn the pages insanely, the brilliantly described characters, and the numerous historical facts I learn from what I read - all these aspects contribute to my great enjoyment.

However, "The Nautical Chart" turned out to be my least favorite of Reverte's works. Here's why:

Firstly, I felt a strong dislike for Tanger right from the start. Throughout the whole book, I couldn't understand why she was described as smart, intelligent, or wise. To me, she was a dumb and pigheaded girl. Although she was well-educated in terms of sea knowledge, she seemed generally completely dumb, heartless, and emotionless. Moreover, she only seemed to be using people for her own benefit, without ever caring about their feelings. Perhaps this was Reverte's intention to make the reader feel what a difficult character she was, but the constant references to her being "so wise and smart" left me completely confused.

Secondly, I never understood why exactly Tanger wanted to find "Dei Gloria". There must have been something more than just emeralds, but this part was never clearly explained.

Thirdly, Nino Palermo and Horacio were so vaguely described and generally such weak characters that I really thought they weren't necessary in this book. Their aim of finding "Dei Gloria" wasn't clear at all either.

Finally, generally speaking, the book started with a fascinating mystery, but then it became so slow-paced that I wanted to put it away. All the action only started on the last 100 pages.

Anyhow, I gave 4 stars for those 100 pages of the denouement, for Koy who won my sympathy and respect right away, and for a breath-taking final that made me experience a severe sequence of emotions that lingered for a while after I stopped reading. I never expected anything like that. To be more specific, I expected anything but that. Now it's time for another book of Reverte :)