Post Captain

This is an unorthodox review in that I thouroughly enjoyed this book and in fact I am deep into the third volume of the series.
What is unusual is that I cant really explain why other than it is a very strong story, strong eccentric characters and a true sense of heroic adventure. And truly, what more can one want.
I needed to adjust to Mr OBrians writing style in that he moves very quickly from one conversation and scene to another without the usual clues such as a break in the page or start of a new chapter. The prose, written in an early 19th century conversational style, also required a short adjustment period for me to get into an easy reading rhythm. The story contains much technical language concerning nineteenth century sailing practices, terms, and sail configurations that are completely beyond me. However, despite my ignorance, Mr OBrian conveys such an urgency, desperation, danger and bravery in his naval battles that I found I was holding my breath as I read.
As I said, this is an unorthodox review in that it seems to convey more negatives than positives but I do very highly recommend POST COMMANDER for its characters, story, and adventures.

I have read the first two. The first is better, IMO. The first fifty pages of this is all about the two main characters on short and penniless because there is no war underway, so they hang around a rental in the country and spent time with a bunch of boring women who they seem totally incapable of really talking to. Finally they get back to sea.

The writing is unusual. The author jumps from one time/scene to a week or more later without any transition. You just have to sort of figure it out.. The main characters are unusual but this idea of the man who can’t fathom the female seems absurd.

At one point, the doctor character is speaking with another doctor who thinks the first person looks unhealthy. The doctor says to the main character something like, “You look pale and I should look forward to examining your stool.” The main character replies, “And so you shall, as I too look forward to yours.” OKay, these guys trade stool samples….

It is an adventure novel and so people get blown up and shot and the main character recovers….

Start with the first one and then only go on if you really liked it! I doubt I will finish this second one.

Wonderful, historical novel set during the Napoleonic Wars full of action so real you will smell the smoke and hear the roar of cannons. This is a series for anyone who loves Naval history set in the early 1800’s.

O’Brian writes a cracking good story that is not only filled with action, but also the political views of the era, natural history as it was understood then, philosophy and fascinating details of the everyday lives of both officers and ordinary seamen.

Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin are complex characters that display the finest nobility, and at times the lowest of behavior, making them larger than life heroes with feet of clay that we can all identify with. There is also a splendid cast of supporting characters, many of which appear in his future works, as well.

All in all, O’Brian certainly deserves recognition as one of the top historical writers of his era.

Written in a style that echoes literary works of the novel’s setting, this series of novels is nonetheless accessible to most readers and are really a rollicking pleasure to read. It amazes me how much nautical idiom has permeated modern English, and not just obvious phrases like “three sheets to the wind” and liking the cut of something’s jib. Sea stories are certainly not my usual cup of tea, but I have greatly enjoyed these beautifully written books and no doubt will finish the series in short order.

It could have, would have been a fine book of sailing ships shattering each other with heavy cannons, and Admiralty politics. That is, if it were not for the Captain’s friend and secret critic, Dr. Maturin. The author sticks us in side his head which is constantly filled with soul-searching, criticisms of his associates and weeping self pity over the deficiencies he conceives of his friends. Throw out the 50% of the book given over to Dr. Maturin’s angst and the book would be much smaller, much better.

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