Master and Commander

For my commentary on this book, I’ll reference the tags that Amazon asks you to choose between for the plot, mood, pace, and characters. Patrick O’Brian’s work, and ‘Master and Commander’ in particular, is not served well by these kinds of choices. There are surprising plot elements, and ones that are foreshadowed long in advance. There are parts of the book that are light-hearted and hopeful, and parts that are very dark. The pace is slow as a walk on the island of Mahon, and fast as the seconds on the deck of an enemy ship.

In other words, O’Brian writes life. I can’t give a better recommendation than that. Nailing him down as a sea-story guy or a history guy is a mistake. He writes friendships and hatred, hope and fear, and all the reasons and ways that we suffer and rejoice in little events and big. Read it.

As others mentioned, I had previously read the printed version and was terribly disappointed in finding missing material, especially the brain surgery that exemplifies the doctor’s genius. When kindle came out with an update I was so hoping that the commissions had been rectified. Unfortunately they have not. This kindle edition ought to be clearly marked as ABRIDGED. I would very much like my money back Amazon. Shame on you for your sloppy work.

This is the first volume in O’Brian’s wonderful series about the life and career of Jack Aubrey and his friend and companion Stephen Maturin, a surgeon and spy, who joins him on his very first command, the Sophie.

I only gave this first volume four stars because as others have mentioned it is a bit slow, in the beginning, as there are so many characters that need to be introduced, along with some background to give them context, and a lot of historical information necessary for the reader to understand the time and place in which series occurs.

Once the stage is set and the action begins it’s a fast paced runaway that you won’t want to put down, so bear with the introduction and then get to the fun!

It’s Naval history, brought to life, by an author who’s attention to detail and accuracy is unsurpassed by any and matched only by a very few. Blend that with his ability to pull you right into the story, until you will have trouble returning to reality when you put the book down, and you can’t go wrong with O’Brian.

After reading the Charles Hayden series by S. Thomas Russell I was very excited to find a 20 book series based on the character Jack Aubrey. I was tempted to buy the whole Patrick O’Brien series but decided to start off with the first volume, Master and Commander. What a disappointment!

First, as noted in other reviews, O’Brien’s writing in the style of old English is tedious beyond description.

Second, there is virtually no character development. I note others disagree. However, the character development here cannot even hold a candle to the character development in a book like “Where The Crawdads Sing”.

Third, O’Brien’s writing style leaves much to be desired. As an example, there will be a conversation between two characters and then a third person is added to the conversation with no introduction leaving you to wonder as to which of the first two characters are speaking and then you realize neither of them since a third character has been injected into the conversation.

Fourth, there are holes in the plot you could drive a truck through.

Others have raved about this series, but this will be the only book I buy, and at this point probably will not even finish it.

One of the best books I’ve ever read. This was a “guy” book, an adventure tale with battle scenes and naval strategy, yet I (a girl) found much in it to absolutely love. I look forward to enjoying some of the others in the Aubrey Maturin series.

It’s an historical fiction novel, written in 1969. The setting is early 1800’s seafaring, aboard an English naval sailing vessel. Life at that time and situation was unique–harder, different customs and knowledge, etc. The period dialog and humor could be quite salty but really immersed me. The book was perfect reading on Kindle, where I could highlight a historical reference and have it explained instantly, depending on proximity to wireless. Then there were the sea terms and references to parts of the ships. Again, Kindle to the rescue. Also, the reader is educated on sailing technique by experts (characters explaining to other characters.) The author really knows early 1800’s without showing off.

People are still only just people. This is still only a novel about characters, and Patrick O’Brian was skillful with his characters. From page one, we get to know these characters through conversations, through private diary entries, and through dialog between lesser characters.

A great story, and well-written.

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