Scan barcode
sebren's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
janaroos's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
2.5
harmonictempest's review against another edition
3.0
Meh? I don’t get the hype, especially compared to Hornblower.
romanstandrd's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
lsalgarolo's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
genteelblackhole's review
4.0
This was my first time reading nautical fiction. I was warned that it's heavy on nautical terminology, and it certainly is. I approached it the way I approach science fiction (one of my go-to genres) — as long as I could follow what happened, I trusted that the technobabble makes sense. For the most part this worked for me, and the naval battles ended up being quite thrilling to read.
I also enjoyed the main characters of Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin, but many of the supporting characters blended into obscurity for me. But, being the first in an eventual series of 20 books (and another unfinished at the time of Patrick O'Brian's death), perhaps my understanding of the supporting characters and their interpersonal relationships will deepen if and when I read further entries in the series.
I wasn't entirely sure about the pacing of the book. It can move rather slowly at times, which for the most part I didn't mind. It swept me along well enough. But the ending is quite underwhelming. Aubrey is acquitted at the court martial, and it just... ends. No reaction or reflection from the characters involved, just a dazed Aubrey getting his sword back. After such a long reading experience, it ends abruptly. "Oh, that's it then," I thought to myself. Overall I still enjoyed it a lot, and I'm interested in reading at least another one or two books in the series to see if I get more engrossed by it. I just hope the others don't end so abruptly.
I also enjoyed the main characters of Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin, but many of the supporting characters blended into obscurity for me. But, being the first in an eventual series of 20 books (and another unfinished at the time of Patrick O'Brian's death), perhaps my understanding of the supporting characters and their interpersonal relationships will deepen if and when I read further entries in the series.
I wasn't entirely sure about the pacing of the book. It can move rather slowly at times, which for the most part I didn't mind. It swept me along well enough. But the ending is quite underwhelming. Aubrey is acquitted at the court martial, and it just... ends. No reaction or reflection from the characters involved, just a dazed Aubrey getting his sword back. After such a long reading experience, it ends abruptly. "Oh, that's it then," I thought to myself. Overall I still enjoyed it a lot, and I'm interested in reading at least another one or two books in the series to see if I get more engrossed by it. I just hope the others don't end so abruptly.
jclose's review against another edition
5.0
I picked this up quite quickly having finally seen the 2003 Peter Weir film, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World starring Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany in the leading roles. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and authenticity of the film and was curious how well this was adapted from the first book in the Aubrey-Maturin series.
For a start, the film is not a direct adaption of the Master and Commander book, instead from what I can gather the film grabs elements from different books in the series and makes some other slight changes. But honestly it doesn’t matter, this doesn’t detract from the quality of both the book and film.
As mentioned in other reviews, the language in this book is complex. Patrick O’Brian spared no effort in his use of nautical and naval military terms, the way characters spoke also felt incredibly authentic to the time, especially with their use of slang and he doesn’t really stop to explain anything to the reader. I did struggle as a result with the first 100 pages or so, I had no idea what the different names or uses of the different sails were, or the types of wind over the seas, or what the sailing manoeuvres such as tacking did. I often found myself putting the book down, and googling a term or phrase and then returning to the book. There is even a companion book called The Sea of Words by Dean King that was specifically written to help with understanding this, I might purchase that someday. However, I actually think it’s best to just go with the flow with this, learning the terms as you go. The story itself still makes sense and over time I came to understand more of the terms used or get a general idea of what is meant.
The story mainly centres on Jack Aubrey at the turn of the 19th century, a lieutenant without a ship and wasting his hours away at the Navy port Mahon in Minorca. Here he meets Stephen Maturin, an Irish Physician and Natural Philosopher. Jack is soon promoted to the rank of commander and given a small ship called the HM Sophie and orders to escort a convoy of small merchant ships. He invites Stephen to be his ship surgeon which Stephen accepts and here he acts as a way for the reader to learn a little about ship life. We also meet James Dillon who is Jacks first lieutenant, a wealthy irishman who knows Stephen Maturin from their time as members of United Irishmen. The book then follows the exploits of the HM Sophie, as it completes the convoy and then spends time capturing Spanish and French ships for ‘prize’ money gaining a reputation across the Royal Navy and also the French and Spanish fleets.
I really enjoyed the structure of this, it’s a sort of slice of life story aboard the ship and Patrick O’Brian delivers a vivid and detailed look naval life. The friendship between Jack and Stephen grows through the book and creates some really excellent scenes in the story. A particular favourite is when they are sitting on top of a hill in Gibraltar watching a huge naval battle through their scopes. James Dillon is also a really interesting and quite a tragic character and his history with Stephen creates some very interesting twists in the story. All the characters have their flaws, Aubrey is often seen as too eager for battle and the time he spends with Molly Harte does more damage than good and Stephen is a great doctor but often forgets his more liberal views aren’t in line with many of the officers he is surrounded by.
There are a lot of characters in the book, from the crew of the Sophie to people at the ports to Captains and Admirals of other ships and even their crews too. However, I never found it overwhelming and I think that is a testament to Patrick O’Brians writing.
I will definitely be continuing onto the sequel Post Captain, might even attempt the whole 20 book series. We’ll see!
For a start, the film is not a direct adaption of the Master and Commander book, instead from what I can gather the film grabs elements from different books in the series and makes some other slight changes. But honestly it doesn’t matter, this doesn’t detract from the quality of both the book and film.
As mentioned in other reviews, the language in this book is complex. Patrick O’Brian spared no effort in his use of nautical and naval military terms, the way characters spoke also felt incredibly authentic to the time, especially with their use of slang and he doesn’t really stop to explain anything to the reader. I did struggle as a result with the first 100 pages or so, I had no idea what the different names or uses of the different sails were, or the types of wind over the seas, or what the sailing manoeuvres such as tacking did. I often found myself putting the book down, and googling a term or phrase and then returning to the book. There is even a companion book called The Sea of Words by Dean King that was specifically written to help with understanding this, I might purchase that someday. However, I actually think it’s best to just go with the flow with this, learning the terms as you go. The story itself still makes sense and over time I came to understand more of the terms used or get a general idea of what is meant.
The story mainly centres on Jack Aubrey at the turn of the 19th century, a lieutenant without a ship and wasting his hours away at the Navy port Mahon in Minorca. Here he meets Stephen Maturin, an Irish Physician and Natural Philosopher. Jack is soon promoted to the rank of commander and given a small ship called the HM Sophie and orders to escort a convoy of small merchant ships. He invites Stephen to be his ship surgeon which Stephen accepts and here he acts as a way for the reader to learn a little about ship life. We also meet James Dillon who is Jacks first lieutenant, a wealthy irishman who knows Stephen Maturin from their time as members of United Irishmen. The book then follows the exploits of the HM Sophie, as it completes the convoy and then spends time capturing Spanish and French ships for ‘prize’ money gaining a reputation across the Royal Navy and also the French and Spanish fleets.
I really enjoyed the structure of this, it’s a sort of slice of life story aboard the ship and Patrick O’Brian delivers a vivid and detailed look naval life. The friendship between Jack and Stephen grows through the book and creates some really excellent scenes in the story. A particular favourite is when they are sitting on top of a hill in Gibraltar watching a huge naval battle through their scopes. James Dillon is also a really interesting and quite a tragic character and his history with Stephen creates some very interesting twists in the story. All the characters have their flaws, Aubrey is often seen as too eager for battle and the time he spends with Molly Harte does more damage than good and Stephen is a great doctor but often forgets his more liberal views aren’t in line with many of the officers he is surrounded by.
There are a lot of characters in the book, from the crew of the Sophie to people at the ports to Captains and Admirals of other ships and even their crews too. However, I never found it overwhelming and I think that is a testament to Patrick O’Brians writing.
I will definitely be continuing onto the sequel Post Captain, might even attempt the whole 20 book series. We’ll see!
mjduncan2's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
My favorite series.
ckmarvelous's review against another edition
4.0
Started this about 4 times in two years and finally finished—very difficult to get into. Once I was about halfway the pace picked up and it got easier to read. I think it would get better with a reread because I’m sure I missed a lot of subtle references due to the sheer number of characters and terms introduced. But I’m in no hurry to start that slog over again.
erickibler4's review against another edition
5.0
I had previously listened to this as an audiobook and given it three stars. That was my fault. Not the book's. I needed to linger over the nautical terms with a good glossary and "get my sea legs." As it was, I understood little of what I was hearing. Once I started over with the book A Sea of Words, Master and Commander revealed its riches.
Jack Aubrey (not yet elevated to the rank of post-captain) is given command of a 14 gun sloop (small, as fighting ships go. The big ones have 74 guns or more). He assembles his crew (including newfound best friend Dr. Stephen Maturin as ship's surgeon), drills them daily to improve their gunnery, and sets out to claim "prizes" (captured Spanish and French ships and cargo). Aubrey is crafty and daring, using various ruses to defeat or escape the enemy.
Maturin is cerebral and contemplative. An actual physician as opposed to a surgeon (who were basically sawbones --amputators of limbs) Together, they have relationship like Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock. Aubrey and Maturin are one of the all time great literary duos.
I'm diving right into the next one. Anchors aweigh!
Jack Aubrey (not yet elevated to the rank of post-captain) is given command of a 14 gun sloop (small, as fighting ships go. The big ones have 74 guns or more). He assembles his crew (including newfound best friend Dr. Stephen Maturin as ship's surgeon), drills them daily to improve their gunnery, and sets out to claim "prizes" (captured Spanish and French ships and cargo). Aubrey is crafty and daring, using various ruses to defeat or escape the enemy.
Maturin is cerebral and contemplative. An actual physician as opposed to a surgeon (who were basically sawbones --amputators of limbs) Together, they have relationship like Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock. Aubrey and Maturin are one of the all time great literary duos.
I'm diving right into the next one. Anchors aweigh!