Master and Commander (1970)

A grand, rough and tumble adventure featuring a bevy of nautical language that the author takes the time to explain. First class all the way. ( )

If I had a grasp of the technical terms, the nautical lingo or even understood half of the English I might have enjoyed this book. ( )

I decided to try this book based on an article around 5-6 years ago in the Inquirer, and it was a great summer read. Although it took some time to get used to the different vocabulary of the high seas, the authenticity of the work moves it up to the next level. ( )

Really not sure what the fuss about this book/series is about. Ah, well. ( )

Well-written, engrossing, and dryly amusing. While I tired of the vast amounts of nautical nomenclature, O'Brian did a good job of filling the reader in. This was generally accomplished by having Captain Jack Aubrey and others explain what was happening to physician Stephen Maturin. Maturin is the foil with whom the reader identifies, and whose musings humanize the larger-than-life Aubrey. Maturin is a philosopher who delights in and reflects on the natural world; Aubrey is something of a lout--loud, heavy, insensitive. Their mutual love of music provides the grounds for their nacent friendship and Aubrey's impulsive invfitation that Maturin become the Sophie's surgeon. The characters complement each other and, in their musings and their interactions with James Dillon, are revealed in their strengths and failings. The narrative under the jargon is clever, skillful, and often quite funny. I'm not sure I'm ready to commit to the whole series, but I'm glad to know it's waiting for me. ( )