A review by seanml
Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian

adventurous challenging funny informative slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Fictional slang in A Clockwork Orange? Easy. Hundreds upon hundreds of lore in Lord of the Rings and Dune? Got it! 1800s ship terminology? Damn. 8.5/10. 

The bad (What little of it there is) first: The characters in this book are within the British Royal Navy in 1800, so women and people of color are mentioned little. And what mention there IS of them, much of the time it is accompanied with derogatory language. I can understand where O’Brian was coming from if he desired historical accuracy, but either way it is not the most graceful method. Secondly, the narrative is a meandering one that is not often firm and understood. If you desire a strong central story beyond the characters and their relationships, there is not too much to see. Finally, the sailing terminology. It does not stop, and it does not get easier. 

The good, and there is much of it: The name of the game seemed to be historical accuracy, and the novel has such in spades. The book is fascinating to read just in the sense of the everyday life of a sailor in the navy. Secondly of course, the principal characters. Captain Aubrey and Doctor Maturin are both intensely enjoyable, and I found myself most engrossed in the simple moments where they just talked. It didn’t matter what it was about. Finally, the sailing terminology. It is overwhelming, but the attention to detail is nothing short of awe-inspiring. 
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