A fine sequel to Master and Commander
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Master and Commander was an excellent start to the Aubrey-Maturin series of novels, and the going gets even better with Post Captain. We find Aubrey and Maturin living ashore for a period, which gives O'Brian the chance to show us a romantic side to both their characters that we have not previously seen, with a depiction of early 19th century bourgeois society that Jane Austen would have been proud of. Far from weakening the book (as some reviewers below have suggested), this strengthens it and the series in general, as it fills out the characters and prepares us for what is to follow, not least the jealousy that arises between the two men, the flight from the bailiffs, and Stephen's spying activities.
O'Brian of course serves up the usual fare of sea battles, both at sea, in a French harbour, and on land between Aubrey and the malicious Admiral Harte. What captivates in these books is that O'Brian is not describing perfection. His heroes are clearly flawed and compromised, but this does not prevent us from becoming deeply attached to them. Even the ships in which they sail are far from perfect - in fact, in the case of the Polychrest, it is exactly the opposite.
Another great quality is that one is completely immersed in O'Brian's universe. Although most of the technical descriptions of sailing are beyond my knowledge, it is still a joy to read them used without compromise. Similarly, the descriptions of 19th century medical practices and beliefs are both erudite and fascinating.
The quality of the writing, the delicacy of thought and the narrative drive and excitement in the heat of the action mean that these are not just good historical novels, they are excellent as novels of any genre. I look forward to the next volume!
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Booring in the extreme
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This, like all of Patrick O'Brian's writing is booring in the extreme. I have given some of these books to friends and like myself they say that whilst reading one lapses off into other thoughts and a few pages later it is difficult to remember what has been said. Do not be mislead that it is the nautical jargon, I believe that there is a real "con job" here something along the line of O'Brian's real-life attempt at hiding his real identity. How such books could ever be published and then build up a following is beyond my comprehension. Despite the advertised supposed "brilliance" of these novels I note that they have NEVER been nominated or won any awards for writing. In short do not be mislead into wasting time and money investigating this trash.
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A real struggle
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Being half way through this book, I am becoming more and more despondent and totally confused by the constant use of 18th century Naval parlance. Unlike Bernard Cornwell, Patrick Obrian has crammed the book with much irrelevant detail which is tending to spoil a fine set of characters and situations. As this would seem to be only the 2nd book in the series I hope his writing skills will improve. His constant jumping from one character to another without any form of structure leaves one wondering which character is in focus at any particular time. At this stage I have to rate this very low as it brings to mind the writing of a novice who has spent a great deal of time studying the technical aspects of Naval terminology and is going all out to show it. At the front of the book is included a complete diagram of the sails on a Georgian man-o-war - WHY? As an avid reader I refuse to be beaten and will continue to the end although it is a considerable struggle. I hope the later books improve although I fancy they could not get more confusing.
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Lacks Fluency
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I'm struggling with Post Captain as I did with Master and Commander (which I didn't finish). I am up to page 152 and have found this an interminably difficult read. The early dialouge is written in presumably what is the authors interpretation of "Georgian English" and bears little resemblance to dialogue in contempory novels that I've read.
I decided to try O'Brian having read the the total output to date of Bernard Cornwall and C S Forrester (I retain a full set which I have re-read many times over 30 years). So far I stongly suspect that I shall not be re-reading O'brien but I will persevere with Post Captain. Sadly It can only get better!
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Splice the mainbrace! Ahoy there!
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As entertaining as ever, this instalment of Aubrey's and Maturin's adventures was spoiled quite a bit by an unbelievably tedious first 100 pages -- yes, a whole 100 pages! -- of a very prim and proper Austenesque courtship in which both of our heroes become besotted with a trio of excitable young ladies. It was just unnecessary. Sure, there needs to be something of this sort or people might start talking, but it was like wading through quicksand knowing there's a juicy naval battle waiting just over the horizon. If you like O'Brian's writing, buy this one too, but please don't begin with Post Captain otherwise I think you'll give up before it starts going.
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